How this calculator works
Enter the letter grade and credit hours for each course, using up to six course slots. Leave any unused slot set to grade “None” and it will be left out of the calculation entirely. For every course with an actual grade, the calculator multiplies that grade’s point value by its credit hours to get quality points, adds up the quality points and credit hours across all your courses, and divides one by the other.
The formula
qualityPoints_i = gradePoints[grade_i] x credits_i (only for courses where grade is not "None") GPA = sum(qualityPoints_i) / sum(credits_i)
Worked example
Three courses: A (3 credits), B+ (4 credits), and C (3 credits), with the rest left at “None”:
- Quality points: 4.0 x 3 + 3.3 x 4 + 2.0 x 3 = 12.0 + 13.2 + 6.0 = 31.2
- Total credit hours: 3 + 4 + 3 = 10
- GPA: 31.2 / 10 = 3.12
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What grade-point scale does this calculator use?
It uses the standard unweighted 4.0 scale with plus/minus grades: 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. This matches the published grading table used by many US colleges and universities.
Does every school use this exact 4.0 scale?
No. This is a common convention, not a universal standard. Some schools omit A+, some don't use plus/minus grades at all, and some assign slightly different point values to minus grades, such as 3.67 instead of 3.7 for A-. Always check your own institution's official grading policy for the exact figures.
Why can I only enter six courses?
Six slots cover a typical full-time semester course load. If you took fewer than six courses, leave the extra slots set to "None" and they'll be excluded automatically. For a cumulative GPA across more courses, run the calculator in batches and combine the totals by hand.
What happens if I leave a course slot as "None"?
A slot with grade "None" is excluded entirely from the calculation, no matter what credit hours are entered for it. Only slots with an actual letter grade contribute quality points and credit hours to your GPA.
Does this calculator include an A+ grade?
No, the grade options run from A down to F without a separate A+ tier, matching the published scale this calculator is based on. If your school awards A+ grades with a value above 4.0, use A instead and check your registrar's exact policy for how A+ affects your official GPA.
Is this my official GPA?
This calculator gives a close estimate based on a common grading convention, but it isn't pulled from your transcript and doesn't know your school's exact scale, repeat-course rules, or pass/fail exclusions. Treat the result as a planning tool, and confirm your official GPA with your registrar.
Sources
This plus/minus 4.0 grade-point table is a widely used convention, not a universal standard. Schools vary in whether they use A+, whether they use plus/minus grades at all, and what value they assign to minus grades, so always check your own institution’s official grading policy for an exact match to your transcript.