College GPA Calculator
Calculate your college GPA on the 4.0 scale. Enter each course's letter grade and credit hours to get an instant weighted grade point average with the math shown.
Updated 2026-06-14 · Free · No sign-up · Runs privately in your browser
Show the formula & steps
How the College GPA Calculator Works
Your grade point average (GPA) is a single number that summarizes your academic performance on a 4.0 scale. This calculator computes a weighted GPA, which accounts for how many credit hours each course is worth. Enter your courses, pick each letter grade from the dropdown, and type in the credit hours. The tool instantly returns your GPA, total credit hours, and total grade (quality) points. Leave a row’s credits at 0 to ignore it.
The Formula
GPA = Σ(grade points × credit hours) ÷ Σ(credit hours)
Each letter grade maps to a fixed number of grade points:
| Letter | Points | Letter | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 4.0 | C+ | 2.3 |
| A- | 3.7 | C | 2.0 |
| B+ | 3.3 | C- | 1.7 |
| B | 3.0 | D+ | 1.3 |
| B- | 2.7 | D | 1.0 |
| D- | 0.7 | ||
| F | 0.0 |
For each course, multiply its grade points by its credit hours to get quality points. Add all quality points, then divide by the total credit hours.
Worked Example
Suppose you took four courses this semester:
| Course | Grade | Points | Credits | Quality points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English 101 | B | 3.0 | 3 | 9.0 |
| Calculus I | A | 4.0 | 4 | 16.0 |
| Biology | B+ | 3.3 | 3 | 9.9 |
| History | A- | 3.7 | 3 | 11.1 |
- Total quality points = 9.0 + 16.0 + 9.9 + 11.1 = 46.0
- Total credit hours = 3 + 4 + 3 + 3 = 13
- GPA = 46.0 ÷ 13 = 3.54
Even though you earned two A-range grades, the B in a 3-credit course and the B+ pull the average to a 3.54 — a strong result just below the 3.7 honors threshold.
Tips for Raising Your GPA
- Prioritize high-credit courses. A strong grade in a 4-credit class moves your GPA more than the same grade in a 1-credit class.
- Retake low grades when allowed. Many schools replace the original grade with the retake in your GPA calculation — check your registrar’s policy.
- Watch the borderline grades. Pushing a B- (2.7) up to a B (3.0) in a heavy-credit course can noticeably lift your average.
- Track it every term. Calculating your semester GPA early lets you adjust study time before grades are final.
To find your cumulative GPA, simply enter every course you have ever taken (or add each semester’s total quality points and credit hours together) and divide once. The weighting math is identical — only the number of courses changes.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate my college GPA?+
Multiply each course's grade points (A=4.0, B=3.0, etc.) by its credit hours to get quality points, add up all the quality points, then divide by the total credit hours. The result is your weighted grade point average on the 4.0 scale.
What are the grade points for each letter grade?+
On the standard 4.0 scale: A=4.0, A-=3.7, B+=3.3, B=3.0, B-=2.7, C+=2.3, C=2.0, C-=1.7, D+=1.3, D=1.0, D-=0.7, and F=0.0. This calculator uses these values, which most U.S. colleges follow.
Why are credit hours used in the GPA calculation?+
Credit hours weight each grade by how much course load it represents. A 4-credit course affects your GPA more than a 1-credit course, so high-credit classes pull your average toward their grade. This weighting is why GPA is an average of grade points, not just letters.
What is the difference between semester GPA and cumulative GPA?+
Semester GPA covers only the courses in one term. Cumulative GPA covers every course across all terms. To find cumulative GPA, total the quality points and credit hours from every semester, then divide. This tool computes the GPA for whatever courses you enter.
What is a good college GPA?+
A 3.0 (B average) is generally considered solid, 3.5 and above is strong, and 3.7 or higher often earns honors like cum laude. Many graduate programs and employers look for at least a 3.0, though requirements vary by field and institution.