Guide · Updated November 2026 · How we check our numbers
How GPA Is Calculated: Weighted, Unweighted and Cumulative
Your grade point average (GPA) turns letter grades into one number. Most US schools use a 4.0 scale.
Grade points
| Grade | Points | Grade | 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 |
Credits matter
Multiply each class's points by its credits, add them up, and divide by total credits. An A in a 3-credit class (12), a B+ in a 4-credit class (13.2) and a B in a 3-credit class (9) give 34.2 ÷ 10 = 3.42.
Weighted GPA
Some high schools add a point for honors, AP or IB classes, so an A can count as 5.0. Colleges often recalculate GPAs their own way, so report the scale your school uses.
Cumulative GPA
Your cumulative GPA includes every graded class so far. Because it averages more credits over time, each new semester moves it a little less.
Raising your GPA
Focus on classes with the most credits, and use a final grade calculator to see exactly what score you need on each final exam.
Try the calculators
This guide is general information, not professional advice.