NumberTally How GPA Math Works
A GPA is a credit-weighted average: each course’s grade points are multiplied by its credit hours, the products are added up, and the total is divided by total credits. A 4-credit A counts twice as much as a 2-credit A. Cumulative GPA folds prior semesters in the same way — it’s one big weighted average over every credit you’ve ever taken:
GPA = Σ(grade points × credits) ÷ Σcredits
Cumulative = (prior GPA × prior credits + semester points) ÷ total credits
Standard 4.0 Grade Points
Most U.S. schools use this scale (some add A+ at 4.3 or weight honors/AP courses — check your school’s policy):
| Grade | Points | Grade | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 4.0 | C | 2.0 |
| A− | 3.7 | C− | 1.7 |
| B+ | 3.3 | D+ | 1.3 |
| B | 3.0 | D | 1.0 |
| B− | 2.7 | F | 0.0 |
| C+ | 2.3 | Failed courses count as zero points but their credits still count in the denominator, which is why an F drags a GPA down so hard. | |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a weighted GPA?
A weighted GPA gives extra points for harder courses: set each course’s type above — Honors adds +0.5 and AP/IB adds +1.0 to that course’s grade points, so an A in AP counts as 5.0. Both unweighted and weighted GPAs are shown side by side.
What grade point is an A− or B+?
On the standard scale: A− = 3.7, B+ = 3.3, B− = 2.7, C+ = 2.3. The full table is in the grade-point section above.
How do I calculate my cumulative GPA across semesters?
Enter your prior cumulative GPA and total prior credits above — the calculator folds them into one weighted average with this semester’s courses.
Do failed courses (F) count in my GPA?
Yes. An F earns 0 grade points but its credits still count, pulling the average down. Retaking the course may replace the grade depending on your school’s policy.
What’s the highest possible weighted GPA?
All A’s in AP/IB courses gives 5.0; all A’s in Honors gives 4.5. The what-if solver uses the unweighted 4.0 scale unless your school says otherwise.
Why does my school’s GPA differ slightly from this calculator?
Schools vary: some use A+ = 4.3, some weight honors/AP courses, and rounding rules differ. This calculator follows the standard unweighted 4.0 scale.