How to use this calculator
- Enter your classes. Type each class name in the current semester block (names are optional — the math works without them).
- Pick your grades. Choose a letter grade for each class, or switch the toggle to Percentage and enter your percent scores instead.
- Set the course type. Mark each class Regular, Honors, AP, or IB — the weighted bonus (+0.5 Honors, +1.0 AP/IB) is applied automatically.
- Check the credits. Full-year classes are usually 1.0 credit, semester classes 0.5. No credit hours at your school? Switch to Without credits and every class counts equally.
- Add more semesters. Click + Add semester to enter earlier or later terms — each semester shows its own GPA, and the cumulative GPA rolls up across all of them.
- Read your results. Unweighted (4.0 scale) and weighted (5.0 scale) GPAs update instantly as you type, with a per-semester breakdown below.
How GPA is calculated in high school
Your grade point average is a credit-weighted average of your grades. Each letter grade converts to grade points, each class's points are multiplied by its credit hours, and the total is divided by total credits:
GPA = (grade points × credits, summed) ÷ total credits
For the weighted GPA, Honors classes get +0.5 and AP/IB classes get +1.0 added to their grade points before averaging, which is why weighted GPAs can reach 5.0. The full walkthrough on paper is in how to calculate GPA by hand.
GPA scale: regular, Honors, and AP/IB points
| Letter grade | Regular | Honors (+0.5) | AP / IB (+1.0) |
|---|---|---|---|
| A+ / A | 4.0 | 4.5 | 5.0 |
| A- | 3.7 | 4.2 | 4.7 |
| B+ | 3.3 | 3.8 | 4.3 |
| B | 3.0 | 3.5 | 4.0 |
| B- | 2.7 | 3.2 | 3.7 |
| C+ | 2.3 | 2.8 | 3.3 |
| C | 2.0 | 2.5 | 3.0 |
| C- | 1.7 | 2.2 | 2.7 |
| D+ | 1.3 | 1.8 | 2.3 |
| D | 1.0 | 1.5 | 2.0 |
| D- | 0.7 | 1.2 | 1.7 |
| F | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Note the F row: failing grades earn no rigor bonus — weighting rewards passing the harder class, not enrolling in it. Some districts use different bumps or a 4.3 A+; the scales are compared in the GPA scale explained.
Sample calculation
Say you're taking four classes this semester:
| Class | Grade | Type | Credits | Unweighted pts | Weighted pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| English 10 | A | Regular | 1.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Algebra II | B+ | Honors | 1.0 | 3.3 | 3.8 |
| AP Biology | A- | AP | 1.0 | 3.7 | 4.7 |
| Spanish II | B | Regular | 1.0 | 3.0 | 3.0 |
Unweighted: (4.0 + 3.3 + 3.7 + 3.0) ÷ 4 = 3.50. Weighted: (4.0 + 3.8 + 4.7 + 3.0) ÷ 4 = 3.88. Want to do it on paper? Here's the full step-by-step guide to calculating GPA by hand.
Frequently asked questions
Can I enter percentage grades instead of letters?
Yes — switch the toggle above the calculator to Percentage and type your percent scores. They convert on the standard cutoffs (93+ = A, 90–92 = A-, 87–89 = B+, and so on); your existing entries carry over when you switch. Just need one score converted? The percentage to GPA calculator gives the letter and GPA equivalent instantly.
How do semesters work in this calculator?
Each semester block computes its own GPA, and the cumulative result at the bottom is the credit-weighted average across every semester you've entered. Already know your GPA-so-far as a single number? The cumulative GPA calculator lets you enter it directly instead of re-typing old classes.
Is a 3.5 GPA good in high school?
Yes — a 3.5 unweighted GPA is roughly an A-/B+ average and above the national average. It keeps most public universities in reach; highly selective schools typically look for 3.8+ unweighted with a rigorous schedule. See what counts as a good high school GPA for benchmarks by college tier.
Do colleges use weighted or unweighted GPA?
Both, usually. Admissions officers look at your unweighted GPA for raw performance and your weighted GPA (plus your transcript) for course rigor. Many universities recalculate your GPA entirely with their own formula — read how colleges actually view your GPA.
Does an A+ count as more than 4.0?
At most high schools, no — A+ and A are both 4.0 on the standard scale, which is what this calculator uses. A minority of schools award 4.3 for an A+; check your student handbook if you're unsure.
How do I calculate my GPA across all four years?
You blend your prior cumulative GPA with your current classes, weighted by credits. The cumulative GPA calculator does this for you — enter your GPA-so-far and credits earned, then add this semester's grades. Want to know what grades you need going forward instead? The raise GPA calculator works the math backwards from your target.
Do failed or repeated classes count?
An F counts as 0.0 grade points but its credits still count in the divisor, which is why a single F drops your GPA hard. Policies on repeated classes vary — many schools replace the old grade, others average both attempts. Ask your counselor how your school handles it.