GPA Calculator (4.0 Scale)
GPA
3.67
Total Credits
10
How it works
GPA (Grade Point Average) on the 4.0 scale is the standard academic performance metric at US colleges and universities. Each course contributes to the cumulative GPA in proportion to its credit hours — a 4-credit course with an A contributes twice as much as a 2-credit course with the same grade. The GPA Calculator handles both semester GPA and cumulative GPA across multiple semesters.
**The 4.0 scale** A/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. Some institutions use a 4.3 scale (A+ = 4.3). Others don't distinguish A and A+ (both = 4.0).
**Weighted GPA calculation** GPA = Σ (grade_points_i × credit_hours_i) / Σ credit_hours_i. Example: Physics (4 credits, A = 4.0), English (3 credits, B+ = 3.3), History (3 credits, A− = 3.7): GPA = (4.0×4 + 3.3×3 + 3.7×3) / (4+3+3) = (16 + 9.9 + 11.1) / 10 = 37/10 = 3.70.
**Cumulative GPA** Cumulative GPA combines all completed credit hours, not just the current semester. To raise a cumulative GPA from 2.8 to 3.0 when you have 60 completed credits: you need additional grade points = (3.0 − 2.8) × 60 = 12 extra points = 12 additional A's in 3-credit courses (or equivalent). The calculator projects how many credit hours at a given grade are needed to reach a GPA target.
**Academic standing thresholds** Most US universities require: 2.0 GPA minimum to remain in good standing; 3.0+ for graduate school admission; 3.5+ for Latin honours (magna cum laude typically); 3.7–3.9+ for summa cum laude (varies by institution).
Privacy: all calculations run in the browser. No grade data is transmitted.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Most graduate programs require a minimum 3.0 GPA (B average) for admission consideration. Competitive programs (top medical schools, law schools, PhD programs in STEM) typically admit students with GPAs above 3.5, and the median at elite programs is often 3.7–3.9. Research-focused PhD programs may weight research experience and letters of recommendation more heavily than GPA. Professional schools: medical school average GPA is approximately 3.7 (allopathic) and 3.5 (osteopathic). Law school top-14 average: 3.7–3.95. MBA programs: 3.3–3.7 average.
- Cumulative GPA = total quality points ÷ total credit hours attempted. Quality points = grade points × credit hours for each course. Sum all quality points across all semesters; sum all credit hours attempted. Divide. Example: Semester 1 (3.5 GPA, 15 credits = 52.5 quality points) + Semester 2 (3.2 GPA, 12 credits = 38.4 quality points): cumulative = 90.9 / 27 = 3.367. Note: if you retook a course, some schools replace the original grade; others average both — check your institution's repeat policy.
- Unweighted GPA uses a standard 4.0 scale regardless of course difficulty. Weighted GPA (common in US high schools) gives additional points for AP, IB, or Honours courses — typically AP/IB = +1.0 point, Honours = +0.5 point, so a 5.0 or 5.5 scale is possible. College admissions offices often recalculate applicant GPAs on an unweighted scale using their own formula to compare students from different schools fairly. When a GPA is listed for college applications, confirm whether it's weighted or unweighted — and which courses are included (some schools strip electives and weight only core academic courses).
- It depends on how many credits you've completed. If you've completed 30 credits at 2.5 (75 quality points), and you take 15 credits this semester: to reach 3.0, total quality points needed = 3.0 × 45 = 135. Quality points needed from this semester = 135 − 75 = 60. With 15 credits: 60/15 = 4.0 required — you'd need straight A's. The more credits completed at a low GPA, the harder it is to raise it. With 15 credits completed at 2.5 (37.5 QP) and 15 more credits: target 3.0 × 30 = 90 total needed → 90 − 37.5 = 52.5 / 15 = 3.5 required — more achievable.