What GPA do I need to reach a target?

Work out the grade points needed: target GPA × total credits, minus the points you already have, divided by the credits still to come.

Do all courses count equally?

No. Each course is weighted by its credit hours, so a 4-credit course counts more than a 2-credit one.

It is between an A− and a B+ on average. Whether it is good depends on the school, program or employer you are considering.

Study and school

How to Calculate GPA on a 4.0 Scale

GPA is a credit-weighted average of grade points. Here is the step-by-step method with a worked semester.

By Editorial Team · Updated September 19, 2026 · 1 min read

Grade point average (GPA) is a weighted average of your grades. Courses with more credits count for more.

The method

Convert each letter grade to grade points using your school's scale.
Multiply the points by the course's credit hours.
Add up all these results.
Divide by the total credit hours.

GPA = sum of (grade points × credits) ÷ sum of credits

A common 4.0 scale

Grade	Points
A	4.0
A−	3.7
B+	3.3
B	3.0
B−	2.7
C+	2.3
C	2.0
D	1.0
F	0.0

Schools differ, especially on the A+ and on plus and minus grades, so use the scale published by yours.

Worked example

Course	Grade	Points	Credits	Points × credits
Statistics	A	4.0	3	12.0
Biology	B+	3.3	4	13.2
History	A−	3.7	3	11.1
Writing	B	3.0	2	6.0

The total is 42.3 grade points over 12 credits: 42.3 ÷ 12 = 3.525, which rounds to 3.53.

Notice that the 4-credit B+ moved the result more than the 2-credit B would have.

Weighted and unweighted GPA

An unweighted GPA uses the scale above regardless of course difficulty. Some schools use a weighted GPA, adding an extra point for honours or advanced courses, so the maximum can exceed 4.0. Use the version your school or the application asks for.

Cumulative GPA

To combine semesters, add the grade points and credits from every course, then divide. Do not average the semester GPAs, unless every semester had the same number of credits.

Common mistakes

Averaging grades without weighting by credits.
Including pass or fail courses, which normally do not count.
Rounding each course before adding.

The GPA calculator lets you add as many courses as you need.

Try it yourself

A (3 credits) and B (3 credits). What is the GPA?
A (4 credits) and C (2 credits). What is the GPA?
You have 30 credits at a 3.2 GPA and add 15 credits at 3.8. What is the new GPA?

Answers: (1) 3.50; (2) 3.33; (3) 3.40 (153 points ÷ 45 credits).

Frequently asked questions

What GPA do I need to reach a target?: Work out the grade points needed: target GPA × total credits, minus the points you already have, divided by the credits still to come.
Do all courses count equally?: No. Each course is weighted by its credit hours, so a 4-credit course counts more than a 2-credit one.
Is a 3.5 a good GPA?: It is between an A− and a B+ on average. Whether it is good depends on the school, program or employer you are considering.

About the author

Editorial Team. The Editorial Team writes, checks and maintains every tool and guide on this site. The calculation logic behind the calculators is covered by automated tests, examples are worked out and re-checked before publishing, and pages are updated when we find a mistake or a rule changes. Corrections are welcome through the contact page.

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