How is GPA calculated?
To calculate GPA, add up (grade points × credit hours) for every course and divide by total credit hours. Grade points on the standard 4.0 scale: A=4.0, A−=3.7, B+=3.3, B=3.0, B−=2.7, C+=2.3, C=2.0, C−=1.7, D+=1.3, D=1.0, D−=0.7, F=0.0. A student with 3 courses (A in a 4-credit course, B in a 3-credit, and C in a 2-credit) has GPA = (4×4 + 3×3 + 2×2) ÷ (4+3+2) = 29 ÷ 9 = 3.22.
What is the difference between semester GPA and cumulative GPA?
Semester GPA (or term GPA) is calculated using only the courses from one academic term. Cumulative GPA includes all courses taken across all semesters. Your cumulative GPA is the figure that appears on your transcript and is used for most official academic and professional purposes.
Does every school use the same GPA scale?
No. Most US schools use the 4.0 scale, but grading scales vary. Some schools use a 4.33 scale (where A+ = 4.33), a 5.0 scale, or percentage-based grading. International schools use different systems entirely (e.g., First Class Honours in the UK, or CGPA in India). This calculator uses the standard US 4.0 scale.
Is this GPA calculator free and private?
Yes — completely free with no signup required. All calculations run in your browser; your grades are never sent to any server. Settings and courses can be restored from local storage on the same device.
What letter grades does this calculator support?
A+, A, A−, B+, B, B−, C+, C, C−, D+, D, D−, and F. A+ maps to 4.33 on the 4.33 scale and 4.0 on the 4.0 scale. You can also enter percentage grades converted to letters automatically.
Can I use this to plan a target GPA?
Yes. Model upcoming courses by entering expected grades and credits, or adjust rows to see how one course changes your semester average before registration.
What GPA do I need for grad school?
Most graduate programs set a minimum of 3.0 (B average). Highly competitive programs (top law schools, medical schools, PhD programs) typically expect 3.5–3.8+. Some programs evaluate GPA in the major separately from cumulative GPA — a 3.8 in your major with a 3.2 overall can still be competitive.
Does retaking a course replace the old grade in GPA?
It depends on your school's policy. Some schools use grade forgiveness/replacement (only the new grade counts); others average both grades. Many schools show both attempts on the transcript. Check your registrar's academic forgiveness policy before assuming a retake will fix your GPA.
What GPA do I need to graduate with honors?
US honors designations typically require: Cum Laude = 3.5+, Magna Cum Laude = 3.7+, Summa Cum Laude = 3.9+. Exact thresholds vary by school and college. Some institutions use class rank instead of or in addition to GPA cutoffs.
How does one bad grade affect my GPA?
Impact depends on credit hours and current number of credits. Example: a D (1.0) in a 3-credit course when you have 90 total credits lowers a 3.5 GPA by only about 0.07 points. The same D after only 15 credits lowers a 3.5 GPA by about 0.29 points. Use the calculator to model the exact impact.