Short answer. GPA is your total quality points divided by your total credits. Quality points are the grade points (A = 4.0, B = 3.0) times the credits for each course.
How the GPA is worked out
Each letter grade has a point value. A is 4.0, B is 3.0, C is 2.0, D is 1.0 and F is 0. A plus or minus moves the value by about a third of a point, so B+ is 3.3 and B- is 2.7.
For each course, multiply the points by the credits. This gives the quality points. Add up the quality points for all courses, then divide by the total credits.
This calculator counts an A+ as 4.0, the same as an A. Some schools give an A+ 4.3. If yours does, ask your school office, because the rule is theirs to set.
Worked example
Example. English A- (3 credits), Statistics B (4), Biology B+ (4), Art A (2).
Quality points: 11.1 + 12 + 13.2 + 8 = 44.3. Credits: 13. GPA: 44.3 รท 13 = 3.41.
Questions
What is a good GPA?
It depends on the goal. Many scholarships and honor lists start at 3.5. Many graduate programs ask for 3.0 or higher. A GPA above 3.0 is a B average or better.
Do all courses count the same?
No. A 4-credit course moves your GPA more than a 2-credit course. That is why the credits box matters.
Does this match my school's GPA exactly?
It uses the common 4.0 scale. Some schools drop the plus and minus grades, add extra points for honors classes, or round in a different way. For the official number, use your school record.
Last checked by the StudyCount team.