How GPA is calculated
GPA is a credit-weighted average, not a simple mean of your grades. Each course's grade points are multiplied by its credit hours to give quality points; the sum of quality points divided by the sum of credit hours is the GPA.
The weighting matters. An A in a 4-credit course affects your GPA more than an A in a 1-credit course, which is why a strong grade in a lab or seminar moves the number less than the same grade in a major lecture course. Averaging the letter grades directly gives the wrong answer whenever credit hours differ.
| Course | Grade | Grade points | Credits | Quality points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Course 1 | A | 4 | 3 | 12 |
| Course 2 | B+ | 3.3 | 4 | 13.2 |
| Course 3 | A− | 3.7 | 3 | 11.1 |
| Course 4 | B | 3 | 3 | 9 |
| Total | 13 | 45.3 | ||
| GPA | 45.3 ÷ 13 = 3.485 |
The standard 4.0 scale
Most US institutions use: A = 4.0, A− = 3.7, B+ = 3.3, B = 3.0, B− = 2.7, C+ = 2.3, C = 2.0, C− = 1.7, D+ = 1.3, D = 1.0, D− = 0.7, F = 0.0.
Institutions vary at the edges. Some award 4.3 for an A+ while others cap at 4.0, and a few omit plus and minus grades entirely. Weighted high school GPAs add 0.5 for honors and 1.0 for AP or IB courses, producing averages above 4.0 — which is why a weighted and an unweighted GPA are not comparable. Check your registrar's published scale before relying on any calculation.
| Grade | Points | Percent (typical) |
|---|---|---|
| A+ | 4.0 | 97 – 100 |
| A | 4.0 | 93 – 96 |
| A− | 3.7 | 90 – 92 |
| B+ | 3.3 | 87 – 89 |
| B | 3.0 | 83 – 86 |
| B− | 2.7 | 80 – 82 |
| C+ | 2.3 | 77 – 79 |
| C | 2.0 | 73 – 76 |
| C− | 1.7 | 70 – 72 |
| D+ | 1.3 | 67 – 69 |
| D | 1.0 | 63 – 66 |
| D− | 0.7 | 60 – 62 |
| F | 0.0 | below 60 |
Weighted GPA and the 4.33 scale
Tick Weighted GPA to give each course a type. Honors adds 0.5 and AP or IB adds 1.0 to the course's grade points by default; both are editable because schools set their own bonuses, and no bonus is added to an F. An A in a 3-credit AP course (4.0 + 1.0 = 5.0), a B in a 4-credit honors course (3.0 + 0.5 = 3.5) and a C in a 3-credit regular course (2.0) give (5.0 × 3 + 3.5 × 4 + 2.0 × 3) ÷ 10 = 3.5.
The 4.33 scale gives A+ its own 4.33 and uses thirds for plus and minus grades (A− 3.67, B+ 3.33, B− 2.67 and so on). An A+ and an A− in two 3-credit courses average (4.33 × 3 + 3.67 × 3) ÷ 6 = 4.0 there, but (4.0 × 3 + 3.7 × 3) ÷ 6 = 3.85 on the 4.0 scale.
GPA to letter grade
The GPA ↔ letter grade tab (also at #letter) converts in both directions and lists the full table. A letter's grade points come straight from the scale. A GPA maps to the letter with the nearest grade points, so the cut-off sits halfway between two letters: on the 4.0 scale 3.85 and above is an A, 3.50 to under 3.85 an A−, 3.15 to under 3.50 a B+. Transcripts do not convert averages this way everywhere, so treat it as a guide.
Cumulative versus semester GPA
A semester GPA covers one term; a cumulative GPA covers all completed coursework. Because cumulative GPA is weighted across every credit you have taken, its inertia grows over time — a single strong semester shifts a first-year cumulative average substantially and a final-year one barely at all.
That has a practical implication: early grades matter more than students expect, because they set a base that later work can only gradually move. Recovering a low first-year GPA requires either many subsequent credits or grade replacement through retaking courses, where the policy allows it.
| Grade | Regular | Honors (+0.5) | AP / IB (+1.0) |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 4.0 | 4.5 | 5.0 |
| B | 3.0 | 3.5 | 4.0 |
| C | 2.0 | 2.5 | 3.0 |
| D | 1.0 | 1.5 | 2.0 |
| F | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Pass/fail, withdrawals, and transfer credit
Courses taken pass/fail usually do not affect GPA, since no grade points are assigned, though a failing grade may still count as an F at some institutions. A withdrawal recorded as W typically carries no grade points and no credit hours, so it is GPA-neutral — but excessive withdrawals can affect financial aid and academic standing.
Transfer credits are commonly accepted for degree requirements without their grades entering your GPA at the receiving institution. Repeated courses vary most: some schools replace the original grade, others average both attempts, and others count both separately. Because these policies differ substantially, verify them with your registrar rather than assuming.