The formula to calculate your Grade Point Average (GPA) helps you determine your overall academic performance based on the grades you’ve earned and the credit hours of each course. The standard GPA formula is:
GPA = (Total Grade Points Earned) ÷ (Total Credit Hours Attempted)
Here’s how it works step by step:
- Assign Grade Points: Each letter grade corresponds to a specific grade point value. For example, an A is usually worth 4.0 points, a B is 3.0, a C is 2.0, a D is 1.0, and an F is 0. Some schools use weighted scales (such as 4.5 or 5.0) for honors or advanced courses.
- Multiply by Credit Hours: Multiply the grade points for each course by the number of credit hours that course is worth. This gives you the total grade points for each class. Example: If you earned an A (4.0) in a 3-credit course, you get 4.0 × 3 = 12 total grade points for that course.
- Add Up Totals: Add all your total grade points together, then add all your credit hours together.
- Divide: Divide the total grade points by the total credit hours to find your GPA. Example: If you earned 45 total grade points over 15 credit hours, your GPA would be 45 ÷ 15 = 3.0.
It’s important to note that grading scales can differ between schools, so always confirm how your institution calculates GPA. Some colleges also provide both unweighted and weighted GPAs, especially when considering course difficulty. Understanding this formula helps you track your progress and set realistic academic goals.