How GPA is calculated
- Convert each letter grade to grade points using the scale below.
- Multiply the grade points by the course's credits to get quality points.
- Add up the quality points and divide by the total credits.
GPA = Σ (grade points × credits) ÷ Σ credits
Worked example: A (3 credits), B+ (3 credits), A− in an AP course (4 credits) and B in an honors course (3 credits). Unweighted: (12 + 9.9 + 14.8 + 9) ÷ 13 = 3.52. Weighted, with +1.0 for AP and +0.5 for honors: (12 + 9.9 + 18.8 + 10.5) ÷ 13 = 3.94.
The 4.0 grade scale
| Letter | Points | Typical % |
|---|---|---|
| A+ / A | 4.0 | 93–100 |
| A− | 3.7 | 90–92 |
| B+ | 3.3 | 87–89 |
| B | 3.0 | 83–86 |
| B− | 2.7 | 80–82 |
| C+ | 2.3 | 77–79 |
| C | 2.0 | 73–76 |
| C− | 1.7 | 70–72 |
| D+ / D / D− | 1.3 / 1.0 / 0.7 | 60–69 |
| F | 0.0 | Below 60 |
Scales differ. Some US colleges give A+ 4.33; some Canadian universities use a 4.3 or 9-point scale; UK degrees use classifications (First, 2:1, 2:2) and Dutch grades run from 1 to 10. Check your school's handbook, and use its official transcript for applications.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate my GPA?
Multiply each course's grade points by its credits, add the results, and divide by the total credits. On a 4.0 scale, A = 4.0, B = 3.0, C = 2.0, D = 1.0 and F = 0.
What is the difference between weighted and unweighted GPA?
Unweighted GPA treats every course the same, up to 4.0. Weighted GPA adds extra points for harder courses, commonly 0.5 for honors and 1.0 for AP or IB, so it can exceed 4.0.
Is a 3.5 GPA good?
A 3.5 is roughly an A−/B+ average and is above the typical US average. Whether it is competitive depends on the school or programme you are applying to.
Do pass/fail courses count towards GPA?
Usually not. Pass/fail courses earn credit but no grade points, so most schools leave them out of the GPA. Leave them out of the calculator too.