How to Calculate GPA

GPA, or grade point average, summarizes grade points across subjects or courses. The exact scale and calculation method vary by school, college and university, so check the official grading rules before using a conversion.

Simple GPA formula

When every subject has equal weight, calculate the arithmetic mean of the grade points: GPA = total grade points ÷ number of subjects.

For example, grade points of 8, 7, 9 and 10 give a simple GPA of 8.5.

Credit-weighted GPA formula

When subjects have different credits, use GPA = Σ(grade point × credits) ÷ Σ(credits).

For example, a 9-point course worth 4 credits and an 8-point course worth 2 credits give (9×4 + 8×2) ÷ 6 = 8.67.

What is semester GPA?

Semester GPA usually summarizes the grade points earned in one academic term. Some institutions call this SGPA, while cumulative GPA combines results across multiple terms. Names and exact rules vary.

GPA scales are different

A 4.0 GPA scale, 5.0 scale and 10-point scale cannot be compared by simply swapping the maximum number. Conversion requires the rules used by the receiving institution.

GPA vs percentage

A GPA is a grade-point measure, while percentage expresses a result out of 100. There is no universal GPA-to-percentage formula across all institutions.

Common GPA mistakes

Ignoring course credits when the institution uses weighted GPA.
Assuming every GPA scale has the same grade boundaries.
Converting GPA to percentage with an unofficial formula.
Mixing semester and cumulative results.

Calculate GPA online

Use the GPA Calculator for credit-weighted calculations or the CGPA Calculator for a simple subject grade-point average.