GPA calculator: semester and cumulative GPA
Add each class with its credits and letter grade, enter your current GPA, and see your term and cumulative GPA with the math shown.
The short answer
GPA is the credit-weighted average of your grade points: multiply each class's grade points by its credit hours, add them up, and divide by total credits. On the common 4.0 scale an A is 4.0, A- 3.7, B+ 3.3, B 3.0, and each plus or minus moves the grade about 0.3 points.
How it is calculated
Quality points = grade points × credit hours
Term GPA = total quality points ÷ total credits this term
Cumulative GPA = (current GPA × credits completed + this term's quality points) ÷ (credits completed + this term's credits)
Worked example
Maya has a 3.40 GPA over 30 credits. This semester she takes four classes worth 13 credits.
- A in a 3-credit class: 3 × 4 = 12 quality points
- B+ in a 4-credit class: 4 × 3.3 = 13.2
- C- in a 3-credit class: 3 × 1.7 = 5.1
- A- in a 3-credit class: 3 × 3.7 = 11.1
- Term GPA: 41.4 ÷ 13 = 3.18
- Cumulative GPA: (3.40 × 30 + 41.4) ÷ 43 = 3.33
Maya's new cumulative GPA: 3.33
Quick reference table
| Letter grade | Grade points | 3-credit class |
|---|---|---|
| A+ | 4.0 | 12 |
| A | 4.0 | 12 |
| A- | 3.7 | 11.1 |
| B+ | 3.3 | 9.9 |
| B | 3.0 | 9 |
| B- | 2.7 | 8.1 |
| C+ | 2.3 | 6.9 |
| C | 2.0 | 6 |
| C- | 1.7 | 5.1 |
| D+ | 1.3 | 3.9 |
| D | 1.0 | 3 |
| D- | 0.7 | 2.1 |
| F | 0.0 | 0 |
Special cases and common mistakes
- Scales vary by school. The chart above is the most common one (A+ and A both 4.0, D- the lowest passing grade at 0.7). Arizona State University, for example, counts an A+ as 4.33 and an A- as 3.67, but caps the cumulative GPA at 4.00. Check your registrar's grading page.
- Pass/fail classes do not count. At Indiana University, for example, only A+ through D- and F enter the GPA; P (pass) and S (satisfactory) count toward the degree but carry no grade points.
- An F still counts its credits. It adds hours with zero points, so it pulls the GPA down more than dropping the class would.
- Small classes move your GPA less. A C in a 1-credit lab hurts far less than a C in a 4-credit course, because GPA is weighted by credits.
- Retakes: schools handle repeated classes differently. This calculator treats every row as a separate class, so delete the old grade if your school replaces it.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate my cumulative GPA?
Multiply your current GPA by the credits you have completed, add this term's quality points, and divide by your total credits. Enter your current GPA and credits in the calculator and it does this for you.
Is an A+ worth more than 4.0?
At most schools, no. A+ and A are both 4.0. Some, such as Arizona State, give 4.33 for an A+ but still cap the cumulative GPA at 4.00.
What is a B+ on the 4.0 scale?
A B+ is 3.3 grade points on the common scale, a B is 3.0 and a B- is 2.7.
How do I raise my GPA?
Each new credit carries the same weight as an old one, so the more credits you have, the slower your GPA moves. Use the calculator to try different grades for next term and see the effect.
Do pass/fail classes affect GPA?
Usually not. At Indiana University, for example, P and S grades count toward the degree but are left out of the GPA. Check your own school's policy.
Sources
- Indiana University Office of the Registrar: Grading System & GPA Calculation (Last reviewed: October 9, 2026)
- Arizona State University Registrar: GPA calculator and grade values (Last reviewed: October 9, 2026)