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How to Calculate High School GPA (Step-by-Step With Examples)

By SEOAnalytics Lab · Updated · 5 min read

Your high school GPA is one of the first numbers that colleges, scholarship committees and parents look at. It turns all of your grades into a single number, so it is worth knowing how it is calculated and how to check it yourself.

This guide shows how to calculate a high school GPA step by step, with a worked example, how to find your cumulative GPA across several semesters and how the same method works for middle school.

What is a high school GPA?

GPA stands for grade point average. Each letter grade is converted into grade points, and the average of those points is your GPA. Most US schools use a 4.0 scale, where an A is 4.0 and an F is 0.

Some schools weight the average by credit hours, and some give every course the same weight. Check how your own school does it, because the official figure always comes from your school.

Grade points on the 4.0 scale

  • A and A+. 4.0 grade points.
  • A-. 3.7 grade points.
  • B+, B and B-. 3.3, 3.0 and 2.7 grade points.
  • C+, C and C-. 2.3, 2.0 and 1.7 grade points.
  • D+, D and D-. 1.3, 1.0 and 0.7 grade points.
  • F. 0 grade points.

Step-by-step: calculate your GPA

  • Step 1: List your courses. Write down every course for the term with its letter grade and its credit hours.
  • Step 2: Convert grades to grade points. Use the scale above to turn each letter grade into a number.
  • Step 3: Multiply by the credits. Multiply the grade points of each course by its credit hours.
  • Step 4: Add everything up. Add the results of all courses, and also add up the total credit hours.
  • Step 5: Divide. Divide the total points by the total credit hours. The result is your GPA.

Worked example

Say you take four courses in one semester. English is an A (4.0) with 3 credits, Math is a B (3.0) with 4 credits, Science is an A- (3.7) with 3 credits and History is a C (2.0) with 2 credits.

The points are 12, 12, 11.1 and 4, which add up to 39.1. The total credits are 12. So the GPA is 39.1 / 12 = 3.26.

If every course has the same weight

Some schools do not use credit hours. In that case, give each course 1 credit. The GPA is then the plain average of your grade points. For example, grades of A, B, B and C give 4.0 + 3.0 + 3.0 + 2.0 = 12.0, divided by 4 courses, which is a GPA of 3.0.

How to calculate your cumulative GPA

Your cumulative GPA combines all of your terms. The formula is: cumulative GPA = (previous GPA x previous credits + this term's grade points) / (previous credits + this term's credits).

For example, suppose your GPA is 3.20 after 60 credits, which is 192 grade points. This term you earn 39.1 points over 12 credits. The new cumulative GPA is (192 + 39.1) / 72 = 3.21.

Middle school and other scales

The method is the same for middle school. If your school uses a different scale, such as 5.0 or 10 points, use a calculator with a custom scale and enter the maximum grade point of your school.

Weighted GPA, where honors or advanced courses can add extra points, depends on your school's own rules. Ask your counselor how your school calculates it, and compare weighted figures only with other weighted figures.

Tips to raise your GPA

  • Focus on high-credit courses. A course with more credits moves your average more than a short one.
  • Plan the next term. Try different grades in a calculator to see what you need to reach a target.
  • Check retake policies. Some schools replace or average a retaken grade.
  • Balance your workload. Do not stack the hardest courses in the same term.
  • Ask for help early. Talk to teachers before a low grade becomes a pattern.

Common mistakes

  • Averaging grades without credits. If your school uses credits, a plain average gives a different result.
  • Using the wrong scale. Make sure the grade points match your school.
  • Counting pass or fail courses. Many schools leave them out. Check your policy.
  • Rounding too early. Round only the final result.

Calculate your GPA now

Open the GPA Calculator, add your courses, grades and credit hours, and read your GPA in a second. You can also enter your previous GPA and credits to see your new cumulative GPA. It is free, needs no signup and your grades stay in your browser.

Frequently asked questions

How do I calculate my high school GPA?

Convert each letter grade to grade points, multiply by the credit hours, add the results and divide by the total credits. For example, 39.1 points over 12 credits is a GPA of 3.26.

How do I calculate my cumulative GPA?

Use (previous GPA x previous credits + this term's grade points) / (previous credits + this term's credits). A 3.20 GPA over 60 credits plus 39.1 points over 12 credits gives 3.21.

Can I use the same method for middle school?

Yes. The method is the same. Check with your school if it uses a different scale.

What if my school gives every course the same weight?

Give each course 1 credit. The GPA is then the plain average of your grade points.

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