How to use this calculator
Enter each course's letter grade and credit hours in the rows below. The calculator instantly computes your semester GPA using the standard 4.0 grading scale. You can optionally add a course name to keep track of which class is which.
To calculate your cumulative GPA, expand the cumulative section and enter your previous GPA and total credit hours earned before this semester. The calculator will combine your prior record with this semester's courses to show your updated cumulative GPA.
The 4.0 grading scale
| Letter Grade | Grade Points | Percentage (typical) |
|---|---|---|
| A | 4.0 | 93-100% |
| A- | 3.7 | 90-92% |
| B+ | 3.3 | 87-89% |
| B | 3.0 | 83-86% |
| B- | 2.7 | 80-82% |
| C+ | 2.3 | 77-79% |
| C | 2.0 | 73-76% |
| C- | 1.7 | 70-72% |
| D+ | 1.3 | 67-69% |
| D | 1.0 | 63-66% |
| D- | 0.7 | 60-62% |
| F | 0.0 | Below 60% |
Frequently asked questions
How is GPA calculated?
GPA is calculated by multiplying each course's grade points (e.g., A = 4.0) by its credit hours, summing all the quality points, and dividing by the total credit hours. For example, an A (4.0) in a 3-credit course and a B (3.0) in a 4-credit course gives (4.0 x 3 + 3.0 x 4) / (3 + 4) = 24 / 7 = 3.43 GPA.
What is a good GPA?
A GPA of 3.0 or above is generally considered good, 3.5 or above is very good, and 3.7 or above is excellent. However, what counts as "good" depends on your goals, graduate school admissions, employer requirements, and scholarship thresholds all vary.
What is the difference between semester GPA and cumulative GPA?
Semester GPA is calculated using only the courses from a single semester. Cumulative GPA includes all courses across all semesters. Your cumulative GPA is what appears on your transcript and is used by employers and graduate schools.
Does a plus or minus on a grade affect GPA?
Yes. On the standard 4.0 scale, a B+ is worth 3.3 while a B- is worth 2.7, a difference of 0.6 grade points. Over multiple courses, these modifiers can significantly impact your overall GPA.
Can I raise my GPA after a bad semester?
Yes, but it takes time and strong grades. The fewer total credits you have completed, the easier it is to move your GPA. Retaking courses where your school allows grade replacement is one of the fastest ways to recover from a bad semester.