How to use this calculator
- Enter your GPA so far and the credits behind it — both are on your transcript or report card.
- Match the scale. Use the toggle to say whether that prior GPA is unweighted or weighted, so new Honors/AP bonuses are counted the same way.
- Add this term's classes in the semester block — grades, course types, and credits.
- Add more semesters if you're entering several new terms at once.
- Read the blended cumulative GPA — highlighted at the bottom, with your new-coursework GPA alongside.
How cumulative GPA is calculated
Your cumulative GPA is a running, credit-weighted average of everything on your transcript. The blend works like this:
Cumulative GPA = (prior GPA × prior credits + this semester's grade points) ÷ (prior credits + this semester's credits)
Two things to get right:
- Match the scale. If the GPA you enter is unweighted, leave the toggle on unweighted; if you enter your weighted GPA, switch the toggle so this semester's Honors/AP bonuses are counted the same way. Mixing scales is the most common cumulative-GPA mistake.
- Use credits, not class counts. Your prior credits are on your transcript or report card — a typical full year is 6–8 credits at most US high schools. If your school doesn't use credits, count each semester class as 1.
Worked example
You finished sophomore year with a 3.40 GPA on 14 credits. This semester you take 6 credits and earn grades worth a 3.80 semester GPA (22.8 grade points):
(3.40 × 14 + 22.8) ÷ (14 + 6) = 70.4 ÷ 20 = 3.52
Notice the pull: a 3.80 semester only moved the cumulative from 3.40 to 3.52, because 14 prior credits anchor the average. This is why early grades matter disproportionately — and why recovering from a rough freshman year is very possible but takes consistent semesters, not one good one.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I find my prior credits?
On your transcript (ask your counselor or check your student portal) — look for "credits earned" or "credits attempted." Report cards often show a running total too.
Should I enter weighted or unweighted GPA?
Either works — just be consistent. Enter your unweighted cumulative with the toggle on unweighted, or your weighted cumulative with the toggle on weighted. If you only know one, that's the one to use. Refresher: weighted vs unweighted GPA.
What GPA do I need each semester to hit a target?
Work it backwards: enter your current numbers, then adjust this semester's grades until the cumulative result hits your target. If it's mathematically out of reach before senior year, colleges still notice a strong upward trend — see how colleges view your GPA.