The formula
GPA = total grade points ÷ total credit hours
where grade points for a course = grade value × credit hours.
Step 1: convert grades to grade points
The standard US 4.0 scale:
| Letter | Grade points | Typical percentage |
|---|---|---|
| A / A+ | 4.0 | 93 to 100 |
| A− | 3.7 | 90 to 92 |
| B+ | 3.3 | 87 to 89 |
| B | 3.0 | 83 to 86 |
| B− | 2.7 | 80 to 82 |
| C+ | 2.3 | 77 to 79 |
| C | 2.0 | 73 to 76 |
| C− | 1.7 | 70 to 72 |
| D+ | 1.3 | 67 to 69 |
| D | 1.0 | 65 to 66 |
| F | 0.0 | Below 65 |
Scales vary. Some schools give A+ a 4.3, do not use plus and minus grades, or use different percentage bands. Always use your own institution's table.
Step 2: multiply by credit hours
Courses with more credit hours (or credits, or units) count more. Multiply each course's grade points by its credit hours.
Step 3: add up and divide
Worked example
| Course | Grade | Grade value | Credits | Grade points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calculus | A− | 3.7 | 4 | 14.8 |
| English | B+ | 3.3 | 3 | 9.9 |
| Chemistry | B | 3.0 | 4 | 12.0 |
| History | A | 4.0 | 3 | 12.0 |
| Physical education | A | 4.0 | 1 | 4.0 |
| Total | 15 | 52.7 |
GPA = 52.7 ÷ 15 = 3.51
If all courses carry the same credits, simply average the grade values.
Cumulative GPA
Your cumulative GPA covers all semesters. Do not average your semester GPAs, because semesters with more credits should count more. Instead, add up all grade points and all credit hours.
Example:
| Semester | Grade points | Credits | Semester GPA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | 52.7 | 15 | 3.51 |
| Spring | 36.0 | 12 | 3.00 |
| Total | 88.7 | 27 |
Cumulative GPA = 88.7 ÷ 27 = 3.29, not the 3.26 you would get by averaging 3.51 and 3.00.
Weighted GPA
Many US high schools use a weighted GPA that rewards harder classes:
- Honours courses often add 0.5 points.
- AP and IB courses often add 1.0 point, so an A counts as 5.0.
Example: an A in AP Biology (5.0) and a B in regular English (3.0), each one credit, gives a weighted GPA of 4.0 but an unweighted GPA of 3.5.
Colleges usually see both, and many recalculate GPAs using their own method.
CGPA in Pakistan, India and elsewhere
- Pakistan: most universities use a 4.0 CGPA scale under Higher Education Commission (HEC) guidelines, with letter grades linked to percentage bands set by each university. The calculation is the same as above: grade points × credit hours, divided by total credit hours.
- India: many universities use a 10-point CGPA scale. A common rough conversion is percentage ≈ CGPA × 9.5, used by CBSE and some universities, but others use their own formula. Check your university's official rule.
- UK: universities use degree classifications (first, upper second, and so on) rather than GPA, though a UK GPA scale exists at some institutions.
When applying abroad, use the official conversion from your institution or the receiving university, or a credential evaluation service if required.
What GPA do I need to raise my average?
Required GPA = (target GPA × total credits after next term − current grade points) ÷ next term's credits
Example: you have a 3.0 over 60 credits (180 grade points) and want 3.2 after a 15-credit semester.
- Target total: 3.2 × 75 = 240 grade points.
- Needed this term: 240 − 180 = 60 grade points.
- Required GPA: 60 ÷ 15 = 4.0.
The more credits you have already completed, the harder it is to move the average, so the early semesters matter most. For help with the arithmetic, see our guide to calculating percentages, and for study tools, AI tools for students.
Things that often do not count
Check your institution's rules, but often:
- Pass/fail courses count towards credits earned but not GPA.
- Withdrawals (W) usually do not affect GPA.
- Transfer credits may count towards your degree but not your GPA.
- Repeated courses may replace the earlier grade, or both may count.
Key takeaways
- GPA = (grade value × credits, added up) ÷ total credits.
- For cumulative GPA, add all grade points and all credits; do not average semester GPAs.
- Weighted GPAs add extra points for honours, AP and IB classes.
- Scales and conversions vary, so use your institution's official table.