GPA Calculator
Calculate semester and cumulative GPA
Cumulative GPA (Optional)
GPA Summary
How to Use This Calculator
Step 1: Choose GPA Scale
Select 4.0 scale (most common) or 5.0 scale. Check your school's grading system.
Step 2: Enable Weighted GPA (Optional)
Check 'Weighted GPA' to add bonus points for Honors (+0.5) and AP (+1.0) courses on 4.0 scale.
Step 3: Add Your Courses
For each course, enter the course name (optional), letter grade (A+ to F), and credit hours.
Step 4: Select Course Type (Weighted Only)
If weighted GPA is enabled, choose Regular, Honors, or AP for each course.
Step 5: Add Previous GPA (Optional)
To calculate cumulative GPA, enter your previous cumulative GPA and total credits earned.
Step 6: View Results
See your semester GPA, cumulative GPA (if previous GPA entered), and individual course breakdown.
What is GPA?
GPA (Grade Point Average) is a standardized way of measuring academic achievement. It converts letter grades into a numerical scale (typically 4.0 or 5.0) and calculates the weighted average based on course credits. GPA is used by colleges for admissions, scholarship decisions, academic standing, and graduation requirements. A weighted GPA gives extra points for honors and AP courses, while an unweighted GPA treats all courses equally.
Common Use Cases
College Applications
Calculate your GPA for college admissions applications and scholarship opportunities.
High School Planning
Track academic progress and plan course loads to maintain or improve GPA.
Academic Standing
Monitor GPA to maintain honors, Dean's List, or academic probation thresholds.
Goal Setting
Calculate what grades you need in future courses to reach a target cumulative GPA.
Scholarship Requirements
Ensure you meet minimum GPA requirements for scholarships and financial aid.
Graduation Honors
Track progress toward cum laude (3.5), magna cum laude (3.7), or summa cum laude (3.9) honors.
Understanding Grade Scales
Different schools use different GPA scales. Understanding your school's scale is crucial for accurate calculations.
4.0 Scale (Most Common)
A = 4.0, B = 3.0, C = 2.0, D = 1.0, F = 0.0. Used by most high schools and colleges in the US.
5.0 Scale (Weighted)
A = 5.0, B = 4.0, C = 3.0, D = 2.0, F = 0.0. Often used for weighted GPAs to accommodate honors/AP courses.
4.3 Scale (Some Colleges)
A+ = 4.3, A = 4.0, A- = 3.7. Some institutions give extra points for A+ grades.
Weighted GPA Explained
Weighted GPA gives extra points for challenging courses to reward academic rigor.
- Rewards students who take challenging courses
- Provides more accurate reflection of academic effort
- Used by many colleges for admissions decisions
- Helps distinguish between different levels of coursework
Regular Courses
No boost (standard points)
Standard English, Algebra, World History
Honors Courses
+0.5 points on 4.0 scale
Honors Chemistry, Honors English, Pre-AP courses
AP/IB Courses
+1.0 point on 4.0 scale
AP Calculus, AP Biology, IB History
GPA Tips & Best Practices
Understand Your School's Scale
Some schools use 4.0, others 5.0. Some treat A+ as 4.3. Always verify your school's specific grading scale.
Weighted vs Unweighted
Colleges often recalculate GPA. Some use weighted (rewards hard courses), others unweighted (treats all courses equally).
Credit Hours Matter
A 4-credit A has more impact than a 1-credit A. Take more credits in subjects where you excel.
Grade Trends Count
Colleges value upward trends. A 3.2 rising to 3.8 is better than 3.8 dropping to 3.2.
Strategic Course Selection
Balance GPA and rigor. Taking easier courses for higher GPA may hurt admissions more than harder courses with slightly lower GPA.
Pass/Fail Doesn't Count
Pass/Fail or Credit/No Credit courses typically don't affect GPA. Check your school's policy.
Interesting GPA Facts
Perfect 4.0 is Rare
Only about 2-3% of high school students maintain a perfect 4.0 GPA throughout their academic career.
College GPA vs High School
The average college GPA is typically 0.5-1.0 points lower than high school GPA due to increased difficulty.
Grade Inflation Trend
The average high school GPA has risen from 2.68 in 1990 to 3.15 in 2016, indicating grade inflation.
Credit Hours Impact
A single low grade in a high-credit course can impact GPA more than multiple low grades in low-credit courses.
Weighted Can Exceed 4.0
Weighted GPAs can exceed 5.0 if a student takes many AP/Honors courses and earns high grades.
Quarter vs Semester
Some schools calculate GPA by quarter, others by semester. Quarter systems may show more GPA fluctuation.
GPA Ranges & Academic Standing
3.9 - 4.0 - Summa Cum Laude / Valedictorian
Exceptional academic achievement, top 1-2% of class
3.7 - 3.89 - Magna Cum Laude
Outstanding academic performance, top 5-10% of class
3.5 - 3.69 - Cum Laude / Dean's List
Excellent academic performance, top 15-20% of class
3.0 - 3.49 - Good Academic Standing
Above average performance, meets most academic requirements
2.5 - 2.99 - Satisfactory
Average performance, may require improvement for some programs
2.0 - 2.49 - Academic Warning
Below average, may be placed on academic probation
Below 2.0 - Academic Probation
Poor performance, risk of academic dismissal
GPA Requirements for College Admissions
Ivy League / Top 10 Universities
3.9 - 4.0 (Weighted: 4.3+)
Extremely competitive, nearly perfect GPA required
Top 50 Universities
3.7 - 3.9 (Weighted: 4.0+)
Highly competitive, strong academic record needed
Good State Universities
3.3 - 3.7
Competitive, solid academic performance required
Most 4-Year Colleges
2.8 - 3.3
Moderately competitive, average to above-average GPA
Community Colleges
2.0+
Open admission, minimum GPA for graduation
Strategies to Improve Your GPA
Focus on High-Credit Courses
Prioritize improvement in courses worth more credits as they have greater GPA impact.
Take Additional Courses
Take extra courses where you can earn high grades to dilute the impact of lower grades.
Retake Failed Courses
Many schools allow grade replacement when you retake a course you previously failed.
Utilize Grade Forgiveness
Some schools offer grade forgiveness policies that exclude your lowest grades from GPA calculation.
Take Summer Courses
Summer courses often have smaller class sizes and more individual attention, potentially leading to better grades.
Drop Courses Strategically
If struggling, consider dropping courses before the withdrawal deadline rather than receiving a low grade.
Common GPA Calculation Mistakes
Forgetting Credit Hours
Not all courses are worth the same credits. A 4-credit course impacts GPA more than a 1-credit course.
Mixing Weighted and Unweighted
Don't mix weighted grades with unweighted ones. Use one system consistently.
Including Pass/Fail Courses
Most schools don't include P/F grades in GPA calculations. Check your school's policy.
Wrong Grade Scale
Using 4.0 scale values when your school uses 5.0 scale will give incorrect results.
Ignoring Plus/Minus
Some schools differentiate between A, A-, and A+. Make sure you're using the correct values.
Calculating Cumulative Wrong
Cumulative GPA isn't the average of semester GPAs. It's total points divided by total credits.
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