How to Calculate GPA
Calculating GPA is straightforward once you know the formula. Multiply each course's grade points by its credit hours, add them up, divide by total credits. The math doesn't change whether you're calculating one semester or all four years.
The formula
GPA = (sum of grade points * credit hours) / (sum of credit hours). 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, F = 0.0. Some schools count A+ as 4.3 and exclude D- (which others count as 0.7).
Step 1: convert each letter to grade points
Look up your grades. Convert each letter using the scale above. If your school uses a percentage cutoff different from the standard 90/80/70, use the cutoffs from your registrar.
Step 2: multiply by credit hours
Each class has a credit value, usually 3 or 4. A 3-credit class with an A is 4.0 * 3 = 12 quality points. A 4-credit class with a B+ is 3.3 * 4 = 13.2 quality points.
Step 3: add total quality points and total credits
Sum all the quality points across your classes. Sum all the credit hours. Don't forget to include classes you withdrew with a W (those don't count) but do include any F grades (those count as 0 quality points but the credit still counts toward the denominator).
Step 4: divide
Total quality points divided by total credit hours equals your GPA. Most schools round to two decimals (3.42, 3.85).
Worked example: full semester
Five classes. Calc III (4 credits, A) = 16 points. Linear Algebra (3 credits, B+) = 9.9 points. Org Chem (4 credits, B) = 12 points. Spanish III (3 credits, A-) = 11.1 points. American Lit (3 credits, A) = 12 points. Total quality points = 61.0. Total credits = 17. Term GPA = 61 / 17 = 3.59.
Try it on your own grades
Plug your weighted categories in and see your real grade.
Current grade
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Track everything in GradePathFrequently asked questions
Do I include classes I'm currently taking?
Only after final grades post. While the semester is in progress, your GPA tools should show projected GPA based on current weighted averages, not final GPA.
Do pass/fail classes count toward GPA?
Usually not. A pass (P) doesn't add quality points but doesn't add credits either, so it has no effect on your GPA calculation. A fail in a pass/fail class typically counts as 0 with the credits in the denominator, which hurts. Check with your registrar.
What if I got an incomplete?
An incomplete (I) usually doesn't count toward GPA initially. If you complete the work within the deadline (usually one semester), the I converts to a real letter grade. If you don't, it converts to an F at most schools, which then counts as 0 in your GPA.
Does my GPA show up to 2 decimals or 3?
Most transcripts show 2 decimals (3.42). Some schools, especially for class rank or honors cutoffs, calculate to 3 or 4 decimals internally. The two-decimal version is what counts on applications.