How GPA Is Calculated: A Complete Guide
GPA (Grade Point Average) is the single most-tracked academic metric in American education — but the exact calculation varies enough between schools that most students aren't sure how it actually works. Here's the full breakdown.
The Standard 4.0 Scale
Most high schools and colleges use some version of the 4.0 scale, where letter grades convert to grade points:
| Grade | Points | Typical % |
|---|---|---|
| A / A+ | 4.0 | 93–100% |
| A− | 3.7 | 90–92% |
| B+ | 3.3 | 87–89% |
| B | 3.0 | 83–86% |
| B− | 2.7 | 80–82% |
| C+ | 2.3 | 77–79% |
| C | 2.0 | 73–76% |
| D | 1.0 | 60–69% |
| F | 0.0 | Below 60% |
The GPA Formula
GPA = Total Grade Points ÷ Total Credit Hours
Example: A student takes 4 courses:
- English 101 (3 credits) — A = 4.0 → 12 points
- Math 110 (4 credits) — B+ = 3.3 → 13.2 points
- History 105 (3 credits) — B = 3.0 → 9.0 points
- Art 120 (2 credits) — A− = 3.7 → 7.4 points
Total points: 41.6 | Total credits: 12 | GPA = 41.6 ÷ 12 = 3.47
Use our GPA Calculator to do this automatically for any number of courses.
Weighted vs. Unweighted GPA
Unweighted GPA treats all courses equally on the 4.0 scale regardless of difficulty.
Weighted GPA gives extra points for honors, AP, and IB courses — typically adding 0.5 for honors and 1.0 for AP/IB. This means a weighted GPA can exceed 4.0.
Most colleges recalculate GPA on their own scale during admissions review, so a 4.5 weighted GPA doesn't automatically advantage you over a 3.9 unweighted — context matters.