How GPA is calculated
Courses with more credits count for more, so a B in a 4-credit lab science moves your GPA more than an A in a 1-credit seminar.
Letter grades on the 4.0 scale
| Grade | Points | Typical % |
|---|---|---|
| A+ / A | 4.0 | 93–100 |
| A- | 3.7 | 90–92 |
| B+ | 3.3 | 87–89 |
| B | 3.0 | 83–86 |
| B- | 2.7 | 80–82 |
| C+ | 2.3 | 77–79 |
| C | 2.0 | 73–76 |
| C- | 1.7 | 70–72 |
| D+ / D / D- | 1.3 / 1.0 / 0.7 | 60–69 |
| F | 0.0 | below 60 |
This is the most common US scale. Some schools give A+ a value of 4.3; choose that scale above if yours does. Percentage cut-offs vary between schools and teachers, so check your syllabus.
Cumulative GPA
Your cumulative GPA (sometimes called CGPA) covers every course you've taken, not just this term. To update it, the calculator combines your old grade points with the new ones:
The more credits you've already completed, the less one term can change your cumulative GPA. That's why improving early in your degree has the biggest effect.
What's a good GPA?
- 3.5 and above is excellent and often needed for honours lists and competitive graduate programmes.
- 3.0 (a B average) is a common minimum for scholarships and many graduate schools.
- 2.0 (a C average) is often the minimum to stay in good academic standing.
Other grading systems
Many countries use different systems: percentages, 10-point CGPA scales (India and Pakistan), 1–5 or 1–7 scales, or degree classes in the UK. Converting between them isn't exact, and universities usually publish their own conversion tables, so use those for applications. To find what you need on a final exam, use the grade calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate my GPA?
Multiply each course’s credits by its grade value, add them up, and divide by the total credits.
What is the difference between GPA and cumulative GPA?
Term GPA covers one semester. Cumulative GPA covers every course you have completed.
Is an A+ worth more than an A?
On the standard 4.0 scale both are 4.0. Some schools use a 4.3 scale where A+ is worth 4.3.
How can I raise my GPA quickly?
Do well in courses with the most credits, and retake failed courses if your school replaces the old grade.
Do pass/fail courses count in GPA?
Usually not. Pass/fail courses earn credits but no grade points, so leave them out.
Last updated October 2026 · More student tools