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Cumulative GPA calculator
Combine all your semesters into one cumulative GPA, weighted by credits.
Cumulative GPA
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How cumulative GPA works
Your cumulative GPA is the credit-weighted average of every course you've taken across all terms — a heavier course (more credits) counts more than a light one. Enter each course's letter grade and credit hours and the dial updates live.
The formula
Each letter grade converts to grade points on the 4.0 scale (A = 4.0, A− = 3.7, B+ = 3.3, B = 3.0, and so on). Then:
GPA = Σ(grade points × credit hours) ÷ Σ(credit hours)
Worked example
A semester of four courses:
- Biology — 4 credits, A (4.0)
- Calculus — 3 credits, B+ (3.3)
- History — 3 credits, A− (3.7)
- Seminar — 1 credit, B (3.0)
Quality points = (4.0×4) + (3.3×3) + (3.7×3) + (3.0×1) = 16 + 9.9 + 11.1 + 3 = 40.0. Total credits = 11. GPA = 40.0 ÷ 11 = 3.64.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Ignoring credit hours. A 1-credit course and a 4-credit course don't count equally — always weight by credits.
- Counting pass/fail courses. Most schools exclude P/F and audited courses from GPA entirely.
- Confusing semester GPA with cumulative. Cumulative GPA spans your whole record, not just the latest term.
Need a weighted GPA that rewards AP and honors classes? Use the weighted GPA calculator instead.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between semester GPA and cumulative GPA?
Semester GPA covers only one term's courses. Cumulative GPA averages every course you've taken across all terms, weighted by credit hours — it's the number that appears as your overall GPA on a transcript.
Do retaken courses count?
It depends on your school's policy. Some replace the old grade entirely (grade forgiveness); others average both attempts. Check your registrar's rules, then include only the grades that officially count.
Are pass/fail courses included?
Usually not. Pass/fail, credit/no-credit, and audited courses typically earn credit but carry no grade points, so they're left out of the GPA calculation.
Is a 3.5 cumulative GPA good?
Generally yes — a 3.5 is a strong B+/A− average, often the cut-off for honors like cum laude and competitive for many graduate programs. Exact expectations vary by field and school.