How to Calculate Your GPA (Step by Step)

Here's the short version: your GPA is a weighted average of your grades, where each course counts in proportion to its credits. Convert every letter grade to grade points, multiply by the course's credits, add those up, and divide by the total credits. That's it. You can skip the arithmetic entirely with our free GPA calculator, but it helps to know what's happening under the hood.

The grade-point scale

Most schools use an unweighted 4.0 scale. The standard conversion looks like this, though I'll add the usual caveat right away: plenty of schools add plus/minus steps or use their own table, so always confirm yours.

• A = 4.0
• B = 3.0
• C = 2.0
• D = 1.0
• F = 0.0
• Many schools also use steps like A- = 3.7 or B+ = 3.3 — these vary, so check your handbook.

The formula

GPA = (sum of grade points x credits) divided by (sum of credits). If your school doesn't use credit hours and every class counts equally, this simplifies to a plain average of your grade points.

A worked example

Say you took four classes worth 3 credits each: an A in English (4.0), a B in Math (3.0), an A in History (4.0), and a C in Chemistry (2.0). Multiply each by 3 credits: 12 + 9 + 12 + 6 = 39 total grade points. Divide by 12 total credits and you get a 3.25 GPA. If those classes had different credit values, the higher-credit courses would simply pull the average a little harder.

Do it step by step

1. Convert each letter grade to grade points using your school's scale.
2. Multiply each grade point value by the course's credit hours.
3. Add up all the grade points.
4. Add up all the credits.
5. Divide total grade points by total credits.

Let the tool do the math

Once you understand the steps, there's no reason to do them by hand every term. Drop your grades into the GPA calculator and it handles the weighting for you. If you want to talk through what your number means or how to nudge it up, COSMIQ's free voice tutor is free for every learner.

Related resources: GPA calculator · free voice tutor