Previous Academic Record
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Grade
Credits
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Semester GPA
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Quality Points
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Grade Scale Reference
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Calculate your grade point average instantly — weighted, unweighted, and cumulative
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GPA (Grade Point Average) is a number that represents your academic performance. It is calculated by multiplying the grade points for each course by the course credits, summing all quality points, then dividing by total credits. For example, if you earned an A (4.0) in a 3-credit course and a B (3.0) in a 4-credit course, your GPA would be (4.0×3 + 3.0×4) ÷ (3+4) = 24÷7 = 3.43.
An unweighted GPA uses the standard 4.0 scale where all courses are weighted equally by their credit hours. A weighted GPA gives extra points for more challenging courses like AP, IB, or Honors classes. For example, an A in an AP class might count as 5.0 instead of 4.0. This means weighted GPAs can exceed 4.0, while unweighted GPAs max out at 4.0.
To calculate your cumulative GPA, enter your previous cumulative GPA and total credits earned so far, then add your current semester courses. The calculator combines your past and current performance: Cumulative GPA = (Previous Quality Points + Current Quality Points) ÷ (Previous Credits + Current Credits). Our calculator handles this automatically.
Most U.S. schools use the standard 4.0 scale (A=4.0, B=3.0, etc.). Some high schools use a 5.0 weighted scale that gives bonus points for AP or Honors courses. Some international universities use a 10.0 scale. Check your school's handbook or registrar's office for the specific scale they use.
On a 4.0 scale: 3.7–4.0 is excellent (summa/magna cum laude range), 3.3–3.6 is strong (good for most opportunities), 3.0–3.2 is solid (meets most graduation requirements), 2.5–2.9 may limit some competitive programs, and below 2.5 may trigger academic probation. However, what counts as "good" depends on your goals—graduate schools, employers, and scholarships have different thresholds.
AP and Honors courses typically use weighted grading. On a 5.0 scale, an A in an AP class counts as 5.0 instead of 4.0. This means strong performance in challenging courses can push your weighted GPA above 4.0. However, colleges often recalculate weighted GPAs to their own standard scale, so both weighted and unweighted GPAs matter.
Yes, but it gets harder as you accumulate more credits. Each new semester's grades have less impact on your cumulative GPA as your total credits grow. To raise a low GPA, focus on earning high grades in courses with more credit hours. You can use our calculator to test different scenarios—enter your current GPA and credits, then add hypothetical future courses to see the impact.
Pass/Fail (P/F) courses typically do not affect your GPA. A "Pass" gives you credit hours toward graduation but adds zero quality points. A "Fail" is usually treated as an F (0.0) and will lower your GPA. Check your school's policy, as some institutions handle P/F differently.
To convert between scales, first convert your letter grades to grade points on the target scale, then recalculate. For example, to convert from a 10.0 scale to a 4.0 scale, divide your GPA by 2.5 (though this is approximate). Our calculator lets you switch between 4.0, 5.0, and 10.0 scales instantly to see your GPA on each scale.
Semester GPA is calculated using only the courses you take in a single semester. Cumulative GPA includes all courses you have taken across all semesters. Your cumulative GPA is what appears on your transcript and is used for academic standing, graduation honors, and graduate school applications.