CalculateY
GPA and Grades: Everything Students Need to Know
How GPA is calculated on the 4.0 scale, how to compute semester and cumulative GPA, and strategies for raising your GPA. Step-by-step examples included.
The GPA formula
GPA (Grade Point Average) is calculated by dividing total quality points by total credit hours:
GPA = Total Quality Points / Total Credit Hours
Quality points for a course equal the grade value multiplied by the number of credit hours. A B+ (3.3) in a 4-credit course earns 3.3 x 4 = 13.2 quality points.
Try it yourself
Calculate your GPA from course grades and credit hours. Supports both letter grades and percentage inputs.
Open GPA CalculatorThe 4.0 grade scale
Most U.S. colleges use this standard conversion:
| Letter grade | Grade points |
|---|---|
| A+ | 4.0 |
| 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 |
| F | 0.0 |
Some schools do not use plus/minus grading. Others cap A+ at 4.0 while a few award 4.3. Check your school’s specific scale before calculating.
Worked example: semester GPA with 5 courses
Suppose you take these courses in one semester:
| Course | Credits | Grade | Grade points | Quality points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English 101 | 3 | A | 4.0 | 12.0 |
| Chemistry 110 | 4 | B+ | 3.3 | 13.2 |
| History 200 | 3 | A- | 3.7 | 11.1 |
| Math 150 | 4 | B | 3.0 | 12.0 |
| Art 100 | 2 | A | 4.0 | 8.0 |
- Total credit hours: 3 + 4 + 3 + 4 + 2 = 16
- Total quality points: 12.0 + 13.2 + 11.1 + 12.0 + 8.0 = 56.3
Semester GPA = 56.3 / 16 = 3.52
Notice that the 4-credit courses (Chemistry and Math) have more weight than the 2-credit Art course. A lower grade in a high-credit course pulls the GPA down more than the same grade in a low-credit course.
Cumulative GPA across multiple semesters
Cumulative GPA uses the same formula but across all semesters combined. You do not average the semester GPAs; you recalculate from total quality points and total credit hours.
Semester 1: 16 credits, 56.3 quality points (GPA: 3.52)
Semester 2: 15 credits with these grades:
| Course | Credits | Grade | Grade points | Quality points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English 102 | 3 | B+ | 3.3 | 9.9 |
| Chemistry 111 | 4 | B- | 2.7 | 10.8 |
| Psychology 100 | 3 | A | 4.0 | 12.0 |
| Math 200 | 3 | C+ | 2.3 | 6.9 |
| Philosophy 101 | 2 | A- | 3.7 | 7.4 |
- Semester 2 quality points: 9.9 + 10.8 + 12.0 + 6.9 + 7.4 = 47.0
- Semester 2 GPA: 47.0 / 15 = 3.13
Cumulative GPA = (56.3 + 47.0) / (16 + 15) = 103.3 / 31 = 3.33
Note that averaging the two semester GPAs (3.52 + 3.13) / 2 = 3.325, which is close but not exactly right. The correct method always uses total quality points divided by total credit hours.
How one bad grade affects your GPA
The impact of a single grade depends on how many credits you have already completed.
Suppose you have a 3.5 GPA after 60 credits. That means 210 quality points (3.5 x 60). Now you get a D (1.0) in a 3-credit course:
- New total quality points: 210 + 3.0 = 213.0
- New total credits: 63
- New GPA: 213.0 / 63 = 3.38
The D dropped your GPA by 0.12 points. If you had only completed 15 credits (52.5 quality points), the same D would bring you from 3.5 to:
- New quality points: 52.5 + 3.0 = 55.5
- New credits: 18
- New GPA: 55.5 / 18 = 3.08
That same D cost 0.42 points instead of 0.12. Early semesters have an outsized impact. As you accumulate more credits, each individual grade moves the needle less.
An F (0.0) in a 4-credit course when you have 60 credits at 3.5 GPA drops you to:
- (210 + 0) / 64 = 3.28
That is a 0.22-point drop from a single course.
What GPA do you need this semester to reach a target?
This is a common question: “I have a 2.8 GPA after 45 credits. What GPA do I need this semester (15 credits) to reach 3.0?”
Set up the equation:
Target GPA x Total credits = Current quality points + Needed quality points
3.0 x 60 = (2.8 x 45) + (Required GPA x 15)
180 = 126 + (Required GPA x 15)
54 = Required GPA x 15
Required GPA = 54 / 15 = 3.6
You would need a 3.6 semester GPA to bring your cumulative GPA up to 3.0. That means mostly A- and B+ grades across your courses.
If the required GPA comes out above 4.0, the target is mathematically impossible in that number of credits. You would need more semesters to reach it.
Try it yourself
Calculate the grade you need on your final exam to reach your desired course grade.
Open Final Grade CalculatorCommon GPA thresholds
Different GPA levels matter for different purposes:
- 2.0: minimum to remain in good academic standing at most schools
- 2.5: minimum for some scholarships and graduate programs
- 3.0: “B average,” required for many competitive programs and honors societies
- 3.5: Dean’s List at many institutions
- 3.7+: strong candidate for top graduate programs
Transfer students should note that most schools recalculate GPA using only courses taken at that institution. Credits may transfer, but the grades often do not carry into the new GPA.
Key takeaways
- GPA = total quality points divided by total credit hours, not an average of semester GPAs
- Higher-credit courses affect your GPA more than lower-credit courses
- One bad grade hurts more early in college when you have fewer total credits
- To find the GPA needed this semester for a target cumulative GPA, solve: (Target x Total credits - Current quality points) / Semester credits
- A 3.0 is a common minimum for scholarships and competitive programs
- Check your school’s specific grade scale, as plus/minus policies vary
Related Calculators
GPA Calculator
Calculate your GPA from course grades and credit hours. Supports both letter grades and percentage inputs.
Cumulative GPA Calculator
Calculate your cumulative GPA by combining previous semesters with new courses.
Final Grade Calculator
Calculate the grade you need on your final exam to reach your desired course grade.