College GPA Calculator (Semester & Cumulative)
Work out your college GPA the way your registrar does: every class is weighted by its credit hours. Get your semester GPA, combine it with your current cumulative GPA, and see what you need next term.
Your college GPA = total quality points ÷ total credit hours, where quality points = grade points × credits for each class (A = 4.0, A− = 3.7, B+ = 3.3, B = 3.0…). For example, an A in a 3-credit class (12 points), a B in a 4-credit class (12 points) and a C+ in a 3-credit class (6.9 points) give 30.9 ÷ 10 = a 3.09 semester GPA.
How to calculate your college GPA
- List every class this semester with its credit hours — usually 3 or 4 for a lecture and 1 for a lab.
- Convert each letter grade to grade points on the 4.0 scale (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).
- Multiply grade points by credits to get quality points for each class.
- Divide total quality points by total credits — that is your semester GPA.
- For your cumulative GPA, add your previous quality points (old GPA × old credits) to this semester’s and divide by all credits combined. The calculator does this automatically.
Worked example: semester and cumulative GPA
| Class | Credits | Grade | Points | Quality points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calculus I | 4 | B | 3.0 | 12.0 |
| English Composition | 3 | A | 4.0 | 12.0 |
| Intro to Psychology | 3 | B+ | 3.3 | 9.9 |
| Chemistry Lab | 1 | A− | 3.7 | 3.7 |
| History | 3 | C+ | 2.3 | 6.9 |
| Total | 14 | 44.5 |
Semester GPA = 44.5 ÷ 14 = 3.18. If you already had a 3.40 over 30 credits (102 quality points), your new cumulative GPA is (102 + 44.5) ÷ 44 = 3.33.
What counts in your college GPA (and what doesn’t)
| Grade or status | Usually counts in GPA? |
|---|---|
| Letter grades A–F | Yes, weighted by credits |
| W (withdrawal) | No — but it shows on your transcript |
| P / Pass, CR / Credit | No — credits count toward graduation only |
| I (incomplete) | Not until a final grade is entered |
| Transfer credits | Usually no — most colleges count only courses taken there |
| Repeated course | Depends on policy — often the new grade replaces the old one |
Plus/minus scales also differ: some colleges give an A+ 4.3 or use 3.67/3.33 instead of 3.7/3.3. Check your college catalog and pick the matching scale in the calculator.
What is a good college GPA?
| College GPA | What it usually means |
|---|---|
| 3.9+ | Summa cum laude range at most colleges |
| 3.7–3.89 | Magna cum laude range at many colleges |
| 3.5–3.69 | Cum laude at many colleges; strong for graduate school |
| 3.0–3.49 | Solid — meets most graduate school and employer minimums |
| 2.0–2.99 | Good academic standing, but some majors and programmes screen at 3.0 |
| Below 2.0 | Academic probation risk |
See where your exact number stands in our GPA chart, and read the full guide to Latin honors GPA requirements. Need to climb? The GPA raise calculator shows how many credits of A’s it takes.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate my college GPA?
Multiply each class’s grade points by its credit hours, add the results, and divide by your total credit hours. Use 4.0 for an A, 3.0 for a B, 2.0 for a C and 1.0 for a D, with plus and minus grades in between.
Is a semester GPA the same as a cumulative GPA?
No. A semester GPA covers one term only. Your cumulative GPA combines every term, weighted by credits, so it changes more slowly the more credits you have.
Do withdrawals and pass/fail classes affect my GPA?
Usually not. A W and a Pass or Credit grade do not count in GPA at most colleges, though they appear on your transcript. A failing grade under pass/fail may count at some schools — check your catalog.
Do transfer credits count in my college GPA?
At most colleges they count toward your degree but not your GPA, which includes only courses taken at that college. Some graduate schools recalculate a GPA that includes all coursework.
What is a good GPA in college?
A 3.0 is the common benchmark for “good”, 3.5 or higher is very good, and 3.7+ is excellent. Many graduate programmes and employers use 3.0 as a minimum.
Related calculators
- GPAHigh School GPA CalculatorWeighted and unweighted GPA with Honors and AP classes.
- GPAGPA Raise CalculatorGPA you need next term and credits of A's to hit a target.
- GPACGPA CalculatorSGPA from grades and credits, then CGPA across semesters.
Sources and methodology
Uses the standard credit-weighted GPA formula on the 4.0 scale. Grade-point values and GPA policies vary by college; always follow your college catalog.
- Augusta University — Graduation honors policy (Latin honors GPA ranges)
- University of Tennessee, Knoxville — Honors and levels of distinction
Reviewed by the ProAcademy Tools editorial team. Found an error? Tell us — we correct mistakes quickly.