Education calculations
How to calculate GPA
A credit-weighted GPA gives larger courses more influence. Convert each course grade to grade points, multiply by its credits, then divide total quality points by total credits.
Open the GPA calculatorGPA = total (grade points × course credits) ÷ total credits
Calculate a weighted GPA step by step
| Course | Grade points | Credits | Quality points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biology | 3.7 | 4 | 14.8 |
| History | 3.0 | 3 | 9.0 |
| Art | 4.0 | 2 | 8.0 |
- Add quality points: 14.8 + 9.0 + 8.0 = 31.8.
- Add credits: 4 + 3 + 2 = 9.
- Divide: 31.8 ÷ 9 = 3.533..., usually reported as 3.53.
A simple average of 3.7, 3.0 and 4.0 would be 3.57, but that incorrectly gives the two-credit course the same influence as the four-credit course.
Use your institution's grade-point scale
There is no universal GPA conversion. Schools differ on plus and minus grades, weighted honors courses, pass/fail classes, repeats, withdrawals and whether transfer credits count. For example, an A-minus might be 3.7, 3.67 or another value.
Use the exact grade points and credits shown in the academic policy or transcript. Do not convert a percentage to a 4.0 scale by simply multiplying by 0.04 unless the institution explicitly uses that rule.
Cumulative GPA
To combine terms, do not average term GPAs unless both terms contain the same number of counted credits. Instead combine their quality points and credits. A 3.8 GPA over 12 credits contributes 45.6 quality points; a 3.2 over 18 credits contributes 57.6. Together, 103.2 ÷ 30 gives a cumulative GPA of 3.44.
Keep unrounded quality-point totals when possible. Rebuilding a cumulative GPA from already rounded term GPAs can produce a small discrepancy.
Use ToolPixels to check the arithmetic
The free GPA Calculator accepts course names, grade points and credits, then computes the weighted result. It cannot determine your school's grading policy, so confirm the scale and included courses first.