Cumulative GPA Calculator

Calculate your semester and overall GPA with professional accuracy

GPA Calculator

Understanding GPA Calculation

Your Grade Point Average (GPA) is a crucial metric that reflects your academic performance. Whether you're a student tracking your progress, a parent monitoring academic achievement, or a professional considering further education, understanding how GPA is calculated is essential.

How GPA is Calculated

The fundamental GPA formula is straightforward:

GPA Formula

GPA = Total Grade Points ÷ Total Credit Hours

Where:
• Grade Points = Grade Value × Credit Hours
• Grade Value = Numerical equivalent of your letter grade

Standard 4.0 Scale

Letter Grade Grade Points
A4.0
A-3.7
B+3.3
B3.0
Letter Grade Grade Points
B-2.7
C+2.3
C2.0
D/F1.0/0.0

Practical Example

Let's calculate a semester GPA with three courses:

Course 1: Mathematics (3 credits) - Grade A (4.0)
Course 2: English (4 credits) - Grade B (3.0)
Course 3: History (3 credits) - Grade A- (3.7)

Calculation:
• Mathematics: 3 credits × 4.0 = 12.0 grade points
• English: 4 credits × 3.0 = 12.0 grade points
• History: 3 credits × 3.7 = 11.1 grade points

Total: 10 credits, 35.1 grade points
Semester GPA: 35.1 ÷ 10 = 3.51

Cumulative vs. Semester GPA

Your semester GPA reflects performance in a single term, while your cumulative GPA represents your overall academic average across all completed semesters. Cumulative GPA is particularly important for academic standing, scholarship eligibility, and graduate school applications.

Important Disclaimer: Use these calculations as an informatory basis. Do not make any legal, academic, or professional decisions solely from this calculator's output. Always consult with your educational institution for official GPA calculations and academic advising.

Frequently Asked Questions

Unweighted GPA uses the standard 4.0 scale where an A always equals 4.0, regardless of course difficulty. Weighted GPA typically uses a 5.0 scale where honors, AP, or IB courses may receive extra points (e.g., A = 5.0 instead of 4.0). This calculator supports both systems.

Cumulative GPA is calculated by adding all grade points from all semesters and dividing by the total number of credit hours. Use our calculator to input multiple semesters - it automatically handles the cumulative calculation for you.

This calculator uses standard US grading scales. If your institution uses a different system, you may need to convert your grades first. Many schools provide conversion charts. For international grades, consult with your institution's registrar for proper conversion methods.

Yes! Our calculator shows both semester and cumulative GPA. The chart visualization clearly displays your GPA trend across semesters, helping you track academic progress and improvement over time.

This calculator provides accurate GPA calculations for most educational levels. However, graduate programs may have specific requirements or different weighting systems. Always verify with your specific program and use official transcripts for graduate school applications.