How to Calculate GPA: Scales, Weighted Courses and Final Grades

Grade point average sums up your grades in one number. Schools use different scales, but the method is the same everywhere: points for each grade, weighted by credits.

The method

1. Turn each grade into points on your school's scale.
2. Multiply the points by the course credits.
3. Add up those results.
4. Divide by the total credits.

Take an A in a 3 credit course, a B in a 4 credit course and a B+ in a 3 credit course on a 4.0 scale. That is 4 x 3 = 12, plus 3 x 4 = 12, plus 3.3 x 3 = 9.9, which is 33.9 in total, divided by 10 credits to give a GPA of 3.39.

Different scales

The common US scale tops out at 4.0, with plus and minus grades in between. Some schools use a 5.0 scale where A is 5, B is 4 and so on, and some use 6.0 or 10. The GPA Calculator lets you pick a scale or set your own points for each grade, so it matches your school.

Weighted GPA

A weighted GPA gives extra points for harder courses. A common pattern adds 0.5 for honors and 1.0 for AP or IB courses, but only for passing grades. Rules differ by school, so the extra points are editable.

Adding a new term

To combine new courses with your history, multiply your current GPA by your credits so far, add the new points, and divide by the new total credits. The calculator does this when you enter your GPA and credits.

What do I need on the final?

If a final is worth 20 percent of the course, subtract 80 percent of your current grade from your target, then divide by 0.2. With 80 now and a target of 84, you need 100 on the final. A target of 85 needs 105, which isn't possible without extra credit. The Grades tab does this for you, and also finds weighted averages. For a plain average of scores, use the Mean, Median & Mode Calculator.