How college GPA is calculated
Each letter grade has a point value. Multiply it by the course's credit hours to get quality points. Add up the quality points and divide by the credit hours you attempted for a grade. That's your semester GPA. A 4-credit lab counts more than a 1-credit seminar.
GPA = total quality points ÷ total GPA credit hours
Cumulative GPA works the same way across every semester. Your current GPA times your earned GPA credits gives your past quality points. Add this semester's points and divide by all the credits together. Don't average two GPAs directly, since a 12-credit semester and a 45-credit history aren't worth the same.
Grade points used
| Grade | Points | Grade | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| A+ | 4.0 (4.3 at some schools) | C | 2.0 |
| A | 4.0 | C- | 1.7 |
| A- | 3.7 | D+ | 1.3 |
| B+ | 3.3 | D | 1.0 |
| B | 3.0 | D- | 0.7 |
| B- | 2.7 | F | 0.0 |
| C+ | 2.3 | P / W | Not counted |
This is the most common plus and minus scale at U.S. colleges. The University of Michigan's College of LSA, for example, uses these values. Schools vary: some give an A+ 4.3, some have no D-, and some count repeated courses differently. Your registrar's GPA is the official one.
Worked example
This semester: an A in a 3-credit course, a B+ in a 4-credit lab, an A- in 3 credits and a B in 3 credits.
Quality points: 4.0 × 3 + 3.3 × 4 + 3.7 × 3 + 3.0 × 3 = 12 + 13.2 + 11.1 + 9 = 45.3.
Semester GPA: 45.3 ÷ 13 = 3.48.
You came in with a 3.20 over 45 credits, which is 144 quality points. Cumulative: (144 + 45.3) ÷ (45 + 13) = 189.3 ÷ 58 = 3.26.
Common questions
Do pass/fail classes count in my GPA?
Usually not. A Pass earns credit toward your degree but no grade points, so it's left out of the GPA math. A Fail in a pass/fail course may or may not count, depending on your school. Pick P in the grade menu to leave a course out.
What happens to my GPA if I retake a class?
It depends on your school's repeat policy. Many replace the old grade with the new one, while others average both attempts. To model a replacement, lower your prior credits and quality points by the old course, then enter the new grade here.
Is an A+ worth 4.3 in college?
At some schools. Many cap the A+ at 4.0, while others give it 4.3. Set "A+ counts as" to match your school's catalog.
How much can one semester raise my cumulative GPA?
Less each year, because the past carries more weight as credits pile up. Open "Plan for a target cumulative GPA" to see the semester GPA you'd need. If it's above 4.0, the target isn't reachable in one semester.
What GPA do college scholarships ask for?
It varies by award. Many merit awards for current college students set a minimum like 3.0 or 3.5, and plenty of need-based awards set none. Read each listing for the exact requirement.
Does my high school GPA carry over to college?
No. Your college GPA starts fresh with your first college term. Credits from AP exams or dual enrollment often transfer as credit without a grade, so they don't affect your college GPA.