How we calculate
The arithmetic is exact. What varies between schools is the grade scale, so every scale below is a choice on the calculators, with its source.
Last reviewed September 21, 2026
The formulas
- GPA = sum of (grade points × credits) ÷ sum of credits. Rows without a grade or with zero credits are left out.
- Weighted GPA = the same, with the class-level bonus added to each grade’s points first. An F gets no bonus.
- Cumulative GPA = (current GPA × credits so far + new grade points) ÷ (credits so far + new credits).
- GPA needed for a target = (target × total credits at the end − current GPA × credits so far) ÷ credits still to take.
- Class grade, weighted categories = sum of (score × weight) ÷ sum of weights.
- Class grade, points = points earned ÷ points possible × 100.
- Score needed on a final = (grade wanted − current grade × (1 − w)) ÷ w, where w is the final’s weight as a decimal.
- Test score = (questions − wrong) ÷ questions × 100.
GPAs are shown to two decimals, rounded. Some registrars truncate instead, so a transcript can read 0.01 lower.
Grade scales
Grade points for each letter on each scale the calculators offer.
| Grade | 4.0 scale, A− = 3.7 | 4.3 scale, A+ = 4.3 | Thirds, A− = 3.67 | Whole letters only |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A+ | 4.0 | 4.3 | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| A | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| A− | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.67 | 4.0 |
| B+ | 3.3 | 3.3 | 3.33 | 3.0 |
| B | 3.0 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 3.0 |
| B− | 2.7 | 2.7 | 2.67 | 3.0 |
| C+ | 2.3 | 2.3 | 2.33 | 2.0 |
| C | 2.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 |
| C− | 1.7 | 1.7 | 1.67 | 2.0 |
| D+ | 1.3 | 1.3 | 1.33 | 1.0 |
| D | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 |
| D− | 0.7 | 0.7 | 0.67 | 1.0 |
| F | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
- Standard 4.0 scale (A− = 3.7). The most common US scale. Plus adds 0.3, minus takes 0.3 away, and A+ is capped at 4.0. Source: The Princeton Review — Calculate Your GPA With Our GPA Scale.
- 4.3 scale (A+ = 4.3). The same as the standard scale, except an A+ is worth 4.3. Used by some universities, Stanford among them. Source: Stanford University Student Services — How do I calculate my GPA?.
- Thirds scale (A− = 3.67). Plus and minus are worth a third of a point, so A− is 3.67 and B+ is 3.33. Used by the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and others. Source: University of Nebraska–Lincoln Registrar — Grade Point Average.
- Whole letters only (A = 4, B = 3 …). No plus or minus: every A is 4, every B is 3. On this scale a B+ or B− counts as a plain B. Source: College Board BigFuture — How to Calculate Your GPA on a 4.0 Scale.
Percentage to letter grade
Plus/minus bands (A+ 97, A 94, A− 90 …)
| From | Letter |
|---|---|
| 97% | A+ |
| 94% | A |
| 90% | A− |
| 87% | B+ |
| 84% | B |
| 80% | B− |
| 77% | C+ |
| 74% | C |
| 70% | C− |
| 67% | D+ |
| 64% | D |
| 60% | D− |
| Below the next band | F |
Each ten-point band splits into three: 97–100 A+, 94–96 A, 90–93 A−, and so on down to 60–63 D−. Below 60 is an F. Source: The Princeton Review — Calculate Your GPA With Our GPA Scale.
Ten-point bands (A 90, B 80, C 70, D 60)
| From | Letter |
|---|---|
| 90% | A |
| 80% | B |
| 70% | C |
| 60% | D |
| Below the next band | F |
One letter per ten points: 90–100 A, 80–89 B, 70–79 C, 60–69 D, below 60 F. College Board shows the same A–C bands; its D band starts at 66, which is a reminder that schools differ. Source: College Board BigFuture — How to Calculate Your GPA on a 4.0 Scale.
Weighted GPA
By default Honors classes add 0.5 grade points and AP, IB and dual-enrollment classes add 1.0. This is a common convention, not a rule: schools choose their own bonuses, and some do not weight at all. Both numbers can be changed on every weighted calculator. Source: Weighted-GPA convention (PrepScholar, BestColleges; The Princeton Review notes it varies).
What is left out of a GPA
These grades carry no grade points, so the calculators expect you to leave them out, as most registrars do:
- Pass (P) and no-pass (N/NP)
- Withdrawal (W)
- Incomplete (I)
- Audit (AU)
- No report (NR)
Repeated classes, grade forgiveness and transfer credit follow each school’s own policy and are not applied automatically.
Where these figures come from
Primary means the organisation publishes the figure itself. Consensus means independent published guides agree on it. Sources were read on September 21, 2026.
- PrimaryThe Princeton Review — Calculate Your GPA With Our GPA ScaleThe standard ± letter scale (A- 3.7, B+ 3.3 …) and its percentage bands.
- PrimaryCollege Board BigFuture — How to Calculate Your GPA on a 4.0 ScaleWhole-letter points (A 4, B 3, C 2, D 1, F 0) and the averaging method.
- PrimaryStanford University Student Services — How do I calculate my GPA?The 4.3 scale (A+ = 4.3) and GPA = sum of (grade points × units) ÷ sum of units.
- PrimaryUniversity of Nebraska–Lincoln Registrar — Grade Point AverageThe thirds scale (A- 3.67, B+ 3.33 …) and which grades are left out of a GPA.
- ConsensusWeighted-GPA convention (PrepScholar, BestColleges; The Princeton Review notes it varies)+0.5 for Honors and +1.0 for AP, IB and dual-enrollment classes.