Your GPA is one of the first things colleges, scholarship committees, and employers will look at. But many students don’t know how their letter grades or percentages translate to that one number.
This guide gives you a step-by-step manual on how to calculate grades to GPA. There’s a conversion chart and a worked example, as well as common mistakes to avoid.
What Is GPA?
GPA is Grade Point Average. It is the average grade points you have earned in your courses. Most schools in the US use a 4.0 grade point scale, where an A is 4.0 and a F is 0.
Some schools use a 5.0, 10.0 or 100-point scale. The method is still the same, but the numbers change. If you’re unsure about which scale applies to you, check out our guide to GPA scale reporting.
1. How to Convert Your Percentage or Letter Grade Into Grade Points
First, convert each course grade into grade points. This is the standard 4.0 scale:
| Percentage | Letter Grade | GPA (4.0 Scale) |
|---|---|---|
| 93–100 | A | 4.0 |
| 90–92 | A- | 3.7 |
| 87–89 | B+ | 3.3 |
| 83–86 | B | 3.0 |
| 80–82 | B- | 2.7 |
| 77–79 | C+ | 2.3 |
| 73–76 | C | 2.0 |
| 70–72 | C- | 1.7 |
| 67–69 | D+ | 1.3 |
| 65–66 | D | 1.0 |
| Below 65 | F | 0.0 |
NOTE: The grading scale varies from school to school. Always check your school’s official grading policy, as some schools don’t use plus/minus grades at all.
If you have got a percentage for a course, work that out first. Our Grade Calculator will convert your assignments, quizzes and exams to a final course percentage.
Step 2: Multiply the Grade Points by the Credit Hours
Not all courses are created equal. A 4 credit course will impact your GPA more than a 1 credit course.
Quality points = Grade points × Credit hours
For instance, a B (3.0) in a 3-credit course would give you 3.0 × 3 = 9 quality points.
Step 3: Compute Your Quality Points and Credit Hours
include all quality points from your courses. Total Credit Hours:
Step 4: Determine Total Quality Points / Total Credits
GPA = Total quality points / Total credit hours
That’s the whole formula.
Example Problem: Semester GPA
Here is an example semester:
| Course | Grade | GPA | Credit | Quality Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English | A | 4.0 | 4 | 16.0 |
| Math | B | 3.0 | 3 | 9.0 |
| Biology | B+ | 3.3 | 4 | 13.2 |
| History | A- | 3.7 | 3 | 11.1 |
| PE | A | 4.0 | 1 | 4.0 |
| Total | 15 | 53.3 |
GPA = 53.3 / 15 = 3.55
Quick Method: GPA No Credit Hours
Some schools (especially middle schools) don’t use credit. If so, all classes are equally weighted. Add your grade points and divide by the number of classes you’ve taken.
Example: A (4.0), B (3.0), A- (3.7), B+ (3.3) = 14.0 / 4 = 3.50 GPA
If this is the case, try the GPA Calculator for Middle School (No Credits).
How to Calculate a Weighted GPA
Honors, AP and IB classes are more difficult so many schools add a few points to them:
- Regular course: A = 4.0
- Honors class: A = 4.5
- AP/IB Course: A = 5.0
You use the same formula, only with the higher grade points. A weighted GPA can be above 4.0. For the full breakdown, see our guide on how to calculate weighted GPA.
How to Compute Cumulative GPA
Your GPA is cumulative, not just one semester. Add quality points for all semesters. Then divide that by the total number of credits you have taken.
Cumulative GPA = Total Quality Points / Total Credit Hours
Don’t average your semester GPAs because that gives the wrong answer if the credit loads are different. To learn more, see What is a Cumulative Grade Point Average?
Free Tools To Compute Your GPA In No Time
You can figure it out for yourself, but it will take time. These tools do it for you:
- Grade Calculator: Calculate your course percentage based on assignments and weights.
- Average Grade Calculator: quickly determine the mean of multiple grades.
- Final Grade Calculator: see what grade you need on your final to get your desired grade.
Common GPA Calculation Mistakes
- Omitting credit hours. A simple average of grades is accurate only when all courses are worth the same credit.
- Using the wrong scale. If your school uses 5.0 or 10.0 a 4.0 chart will not work.
- Semester GPAs averaged. Use total quality points and total credit hours.
- Forgetting about repeated courses. Some schools ditch the old grade, others average the two. Consult your policy.
- Too much rounding early on. Keep two decimals until the last step.
Tips to Better Your GPA
- Take high credit classes they impact your GPA the most.
- No surprise, keep track of your grades throughout the semester.
- Make plans for finals. Our guide tells you what grade you need on your final exam.
- If your school allows grade replacement, retake low-grade courses.
Common Questions
What is a good GPA?
A good GPA is typically considered to be above a 3.0, as this is often the minimum requirement for many scholarships and graduate programs. However, the definition of a good GPA can differ depending on the institution and the program. Some schools may consider a GPA of 3.5 or higher to be good, while others may have higher standards. Remember that a good GPA is not the only factor that is considered when applying for scholarships or graduate programs, and other factors such as test scores, extracurricular activities, and letters of recommendation can also play a role.
Generally a 3.0 is pretty solid. 3.5 or above is good. 3.7+ would be competitive for selective schools and scholarships.
How to convert a percentage to GPA?
Check the conversion chart above for your percentage and read off the grade points. Next, apply the credit hour formula.
Can a GPA be higher than 4.0?
Yes, the GPA can exceed 4.0.
Yes, on a weighted basis. Unweighted GPAs on the 4.0 scale are limited to 4.0.
Do all schools calculate GPA the same way?
Not all schools calculate GPA the same way.
Nah. The same basic formula is used but the grade values, plus/minus rules and weighting are different. Consult your school’s policy.
Concluding thoughts
Calculating grades to GPA is a four step process: Convert grades to points, Multiply by credits, Add everything up, Divide by total credits. Once you’ve learned the formula, you will be able to track your progress and make realistic goals each semester.
Want to try it? Enter your current course grades and open our Grade Calculator.