The short answer
GPA (grade point average) is the average of your grade points, weighted by credits. Convert each letter grade to points, multiply by the class’s credits, add everything up and divide by the total credits.
GPA = Σ (grade points × credits) ÷ Σ credits
How GPA is calculated, step by step
- Convert each grade to grade points. On the common US 4.0 scale, A = 4.0, A− = 3.7, B+ = 3.3, B = 3.0 and so on. See the GPA scale chart for the full list.
- Multiply by credits. Grade points × credits gives each class’s “quality points”. A 3-credit B is worth 3.0 × 3 = 9.0 quality points. See what are quality points? for more examples.
- Add up the quality points for all your classes.
- Add up the credits for the same classes. If you’re not sure what a credit hour is, see what are credit hours?
- Divide total quality points by total credits. Round to two decimal places.
Worked example
| Class | Grade | Points | Credits | Points × credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chemistry | B+ | 3.3 | 4 | 13.2 |
| Statistics | A− | 3.7 | 3 | 11.1 |
| Literature | B | 3.0 | 3 | 9.0 |
| Spanish | A | 4.0 | 2 | 8.0 |
| Total | 12 | 41.3 |
41.3 ÷ 12 = 3.441…, so the GPA is 3.44.
Check it yourself: enter these four classes in the GPA calculator and open “Show the math”. You’ll see the same four multiplications and the same division.
If your classes don’t have credits
Many high schools give every class equal weight. In that case, your GPA is just the plain average of your grade points: add them and divide by the number of classes. (In the calculator, enter 1 credit for each class.)
How to calculate GPA from percentages
If your report card shows percentages, convert each one to a letter grade first, then to grade points. On the common US scale:
| Class | Percentage | Letter | Points | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Math | 91% | A− | 3.7 | 1 |
| Science | 85% | B | 3.0 | 1 |
| English | 78% | C+ | 2.3 | 1 |
(3.7 + 3.0 + 2.3) ÷ 3 = 9.0 ÷ 3 = 3.00. Your school’s cutoffs may differ, so check them first. The percentage to GPA calculator converts for you.
How to calculate high school GPA
The method is the same, with two common differences. Classes often have no credits (enter 1 for each), and many schools also report a weighted GPA that adds a bonus for Honors and AP/IB classes. The high school GPA calculator shows weighted and unweighted GPA side by side.
Calculating cumulative GPA
Your cumulative GPA covers every term. Don’t average your term GPAs, because terms with more credits should count for more. Instead, multiply each term GPA by its credits, add them, and divide by the total credits.
Example: a 3.20 GPA over 15 credits in the fall and a 3.60 over 12 credits in the spring.
- Fall quality points: 3.20 × 15 = 48.0
- Spring quality points: 3.60 × 12 = 43.2
- Cumulative GPA: (48.0 + 43.2) ÷ (15 + 12) = 91.2 ÷ 27 = 3.377…, which rounds to 3.38
Averaging the two term GPAs would give 3.40, which is too high because the fall term had more credits. The cumulative GPA calculator does this for you.
Which grades count in your GPA?
Only classes with a letter grade usually count. Registrars such as the University of Delaware’s define GPA as quality points divided by quality hours, and the University of Toledo lists the grades it leaves out of GPA. Rules differ by school, but the usual pattern is:
| Grade | Credits toward graduation? | Counts in GPA? |
|---|---|---|
| A to D− | Yes | Yes |
| F | No | Yes, as 0 grade points |
| Pass (P) | Usually yes | Usually no |
| Withdrawal (W) | No | Usually no |
| Transfer credit | Often yes | Often no |
Retakes depend on your school’s policy. At the University of Colorado Boulder, a retake replaces an undergraduate grade of C− or lower in your GPA if the new grade is the same or better, but the old grade stays on your transcript. At Valdosta State University, the higher grade counts in the institutional GPA, while the cumulative Regents GPA keeps every attempt. How to raise your GPA shows how much a retake can help.
Common mistakes
- Averaging grades without credits. A 1-credit class and a 4-credit class don’t count equally.
- Using the wrong scale. Some schools give A+ a 4.3, some have no plus/minus grades, and percentage cutoffs vary.
- Including pass/fail or withdrawn classes. These usually carry no grade points and are left out of GPA.
- Mixing weighted and unweighted points. Decide which GPA you’re calculating. See weighted vs unweighted GPA.
- Rounding too early. Keep full precision until the final division, then round.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert a percentage to GPA?
First convert the percentage to a letter grade with your school’s cutoffs (for example 85% = B on many US scales), then use the letter’s grade points (B = 3.0). The calculators can do this for you if you switch to percentage entry.
What is GPA?
GPA stands for grade point average: one number that summarizes your grades, usually on a 4.0 scale where an A is 4.0 and an F is 0. Each grade is converted to points and averaged, weighted by credits. See what is a GPA? for the basics.
What is my GPA if I have all Bs?
A straight-B average is a 3.0 GPA on the 4.0 scale. All As gives 4.0, all Cs gives 2.0, and a mix falls in between, weighted by credits.
Is a 3.5 GPA good?
On a 4.0 unweighted scale, 3.5 is between a B+ and an A− average, which is generally considered strong. How “good” it is depends on your school and goals. See what is a good GPA?.
Do colleges use the same GPA formula?
The basic method is the same, but the College Board notes that colleges may recalculate your GPA, for example by leaving out non-core classes or removing honors weighting. Always check the specific school’s admissions guidance.
Where can I find my official GPA?
Usually in your student portal, on your unofficial transcript or in your degree audit. See how to check your GPA.
Sources
- University of Delaware Registrar: Unofficial transcripts (GPA = quality points ÷ quality hours; checked 10 November 2026).
- James Madison University Registrar: Grade point average (quality points = grade value × credit hours attempted; checked 8 November 2026).
- University of Toledo Registrar: Calculating GPA (quality hours, quality points and excluded grades; checked 8 November 2026).
- College Board BigFuture: How do you calculate your GPA in high school? (high school GPA method; colleges may recalculate GPA; checked 10 November 2026).
- University of Colorado Boulder Registrar: Grade replacement (retake grade replaces a C− or lower if the same or better; old grade stays on the transcript; checked 10 November 2026).
- Valdosta State University: Repeated course GPA calculation (highest grade counts in the institutional GPA; cumulative Regents GPA keeps all attempts; checked 10 November 2026).