GPA — grade point average — sums up your academic performance in a single number. It looks mysterious, but it's just a weighted average of your grades. Here's exactly how it works, plus the difference between weighted and unweighted GPA.
Key takeaways
- Each letter grade maps to grade points (A = 4.0).
- GPA = Σ(grade points × credits) ÷ Σ(credits).
- Unweighted caps at 4.0; weighted can exceed it.
- Credit hours mean bigger courses count more.
The grade-point scale
| Letter | Points | Letter | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 4.0 | C+ | 2.3 |
| A− | 3.7 | C | 2.0 |
| B+ | 3.3 | C− | 1.7 |
| B | 3.0 | D | 1.0 |
| B− | 2.7 | F | 0.0 |
The formula
GPA = Σ(grade points × credit hours) ÷ Σ(credit hours)A worked example
| Course | Grade | Points | Credits | Points×Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology | A | 4.0 | 4 | 16.0 |
| History | B+ | 3.3 | 3 | 9.9 |
| Math | B | 3.0 | 3 | 9.0 |
| Art | A− | 3.7 | 2 | 7.4 |
Total points = 16.0 + 9.9 + 9.0 + 7.4 = 42.3
Total credits = 4 + 3 + 3 + 2 = 12
GPA = 42.3 ÷ 12 = 3.53Add your courses and get your GPA
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Open the GPA Calculator →Weighted vs unweighted
Unweighted GPA treats every class the same, maxing out at 4.0. Weighted GPA adds bonus points for harder courses — typically +0.5 for Honors and +1.0 for AP/IB — so an A in an AP class can be worth 5.0. That's why some students report a GPA above 4.0.
Frequently asked questions
How is GPA calculated?
Multiply each course's grade points by its credits, sum them, and divide by total credits.
Weighted vs unweighted?
Unweighted caps at 4.0; weighted gives Honors/AP extra points and can exceed 4.0.
What is a good GPA?
On an unweighted 4.0 scale, 3.5+ is generally strong, but it depends on the school and program.
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