Free GPA Calculator
Calculate your semester or cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale. Add as many courses as you need — results update instantly.
Your Courses
Grade Point Reference Chart
How GPA Calculation Works
Your GPA is a credit-weighted average of your grade points. Each letter grade maps to a numerical value (A = 4.0, B = 3.0, etc.), and each grade is multiplied by the credit hours of that course. The sum of these products is divided by your total credit hours. This means a 4-credit course affects your GPA four times more than a 1-credit course — a critical fact for planning your academic strategy.
For a comprehensive strategy on actually improving the grades that feed this calculator, read our guide on how to improve your GPA fast. For help with the study habits that produce better grades in each course, see our guide on how to study effectively for exams.
GPA Calculator FAQ
How is GPA calculated on a 4.0 scale?
GPA is calculated as the sum of (grade points × credit hours) divided by total credit hours. Grade points correspond to letter grades: A = 4.0, B = 3.0, C = 2.0, D = 1.0, F = 0.0. Plus/minus grades adjust by 0.3 points (A- = 3.7, B+ = 3.3, etc.). A higher-credit course has proportionally more impact on your GPA than a lower-credit course.
What is a good GPA?
A 3.5+ GPA is generally excellent and qualifies for most Dean's List programs. A 3.0–3.4 is good and meets minimum requirements for most graduate school programs. A 2.5–2.9 is average. Below 2.0, most institutions place students on academic probation. For competitive careers (medicine, law, investment banking, consulting), employers and admissions offices typically screen for 3.5+ GPAs.
What is a weighted GPA?
A weighted GPA gives extra grade points to honors, AP, IB, or dual-enrollment courses. A typical weighted scale adds 0.5 points for honors courses and 1.0 point for AP/IB courses. So an A in AP Calculus earns 5.0 weighted points instead of 4.0. Weighted GPA can exceed 4.0. Colleges typically recalculate GPAs using their own systems, so both weighted and unweighted GPA matter for applications.
Can I raise my GPA in one semester?
Yes, but the magnitude depends on how many total credit hours you have accumulated. Students earlier in their academic career (fewer completed credits) can move their GPA by 0.3–0.8 points in one strong semester. Students with 100+ completed credits may see movements of only 0.1–0.2 points even with perfect grades, because accumulated history outweighs one semester. The calculator above lets you model exactly how different grade scenarios affect your cumulative GPA.
Does a W (withdrawal) affect my GPA?
No. A W grade for an academic withdrawal (not a WF which is Withdrawal Failing) does not factor into GPA calculation at virtually all institutions. The W appears on your transcript and may affect financial aid eligibility (check your institution's SAP policy), but it does not reduce your GPA. This makes withdrawal a better option than failing a course in most situations where you are at risk of failing.