GPA Calculator Guide: Calculate Grade Point Average & Track Academic Performance
A GPA calculator computes your grade point average by dividing total quality points by attempted credits. Enter courses, credits, and letter or numeric grades to see semester and cumulative GPA.
What is GPA Calculator?
The GPA calculator helps students track academic standing, eligibility, and goal planning. It supports unweighted and weighted scales, plus "what-if" planning for upcoming terms.
How to Use the GPA Calculator
- Enter each course with credit hours and grade.
- Choose scale (unweighted 4.0 or weighted with AP/IB bumps).
- Calculate semester GPA; add prior credits/points to see cumulative GPA.
- Use what-if: set a target cumulative GPA and remaining credits to see the needed average.
- Export results for advising or applications.
Formulas & Methods
- Quality points per course:
QP_i = grade_points_i * credits_i - Semester GPA:
GPA_sem = sum(QP_i) / sum(credits_i) - Cumulative GPA:
(prior_points + sum(QP_i)) / (prior_credits + sum(credits_i)) - Target GPA average needed:
avg_needed = (target * (prior_credits + remaining_credits) - prior_points) / remaining_credits
Assumptions & limitations
- Grade mappings differ by institution; use your official scale.
- Pass/Fail and repeated courses may be excluded or treated specially per policy.
- Weights for honors/AP vary; configure bumps accordingly.
Examples
Example A — Semester GPA
Courses: Chem (4 cr, A-), Calc (4 cr, B+), History (3 cr, A).
Points: 3.7*4 + 3.3*4 + 4.0*3 = 14.8 + 13.2 + 12 = 40.
Credits: 11. GPA_sem = 40/11 = 3.636.
Example B — Target cumulative
Prior: 45 credits, GPA 3.20 -> prior_points = 144.
Want 3.30 after 15 more credits:
avg_needed = (3.30*(45+15) - 144)/15 = (198 - 144)/15 = 3.6 average next term.
| Grade | Points (typical) | |---|---:| | A | 4.0 | | A- | 3.7 | | B+ | 3.3 | | B | 3.0 | | B- | 2.7 |
Pro Tips & Best Practices
- Confirm your school's scale and weighting rules before planning.
- Track repeats and Pass/Fail policies—they can change GPA math.
- Use what-if planning early to keep long-term goals realistic.
- Double-check credit hours; one mis-entry skews results.
Related Calculators
FAQ
Q: How do you calculate GPA?
A: Multiply each course grade by its credit hours to get quality points, sum them, then divide by total credits.
Q: Weighted vs unweighted GPA?
A: Unweighted uses a 4.0 scale for all classes; weighted adds bumps for honors/AP/IB courses (e.g., 4.5 or 5.0 scale).
Q: Semester vs cumulative GPA?
A: Semester GPA uses that term's courses only; cumulative GPA includes all completed terms.
Q: How are letter grades mapped?
A: Typical mapping: A=4.0, A-=3.7, B+=3.3, B=3.0, etc. Schools may vary—use your program's table.
Q: Can I target a GPA?
A: Yes—enter desired cumulative GPA and remaining credits; the tool solves the needed average.
Call to Action
List your courses and grades to see your GPA today—and test "what-if" scenarios to hit your target by graduation.