What this calculator does
You have a percentage for each course this term. This turns them into the two numbers you usually want at the end of a semester: a GPA on the 4.0 scale and a credit-weighted average percentage.
- Each percentage is mapped to a letter (for example 84% → B).
- The letter becomes grade points (B → 3.0).
- Points are multiplied by credits and totalled.
- The total is divided by the semester's credits.
Inputs
- Biology91% · 4 cr
- History84% · 3 cr
- Statistics77.5% · 3 cr
- Spanish95% · 2 cr
Calculation
- A− 3.7×4 + B 3.0×3 + C+ 2.3×3 + A 4.0×2
- = 38.7 quality points
- 38.7 ÷ 12 = 3.23
Result
3.23
semester GPA
Credit-weighted average: 1038.5 ÷ 12 = 86.54%.
Reading your result
The two numbers can tell different stories. Because each percentage is turned into a letter first, a course at 89.9% earns the same points as one at 87%. If your average percentage looks strong but the GPA looks low, check the letter column in the result: courses sitting just below a band boundary are where a few extra marks would change your GPA most.
Semester vs cumulative
This page deliberately stops at one term. Your cumulative GPA depends on every credit you've earned so far, so a 3.23 semester doesn't mean your overall GPA is 3.23. Combine them in the GPA calculator by entering your previous GPA and credits under “Earlier record”.
Percentage bands used
| % | Letter | % | Letter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 97+ | A+ | 77–79.99 | C+ |
| 93–96.99 | A | 73–76.99 | C |
| 90–92.99 | A− | 70–72.99 | C− |
| 87–89.99 | B+ | 67–69.99 | D+ |
| 83–86.99 | B | 63–66.99 | D |
| 80–82.99 | B− | 60–62.99 | D− |
| Below 60 | F |
Questions
How is semester GPA different from cumulative GPA?
Semester GPA covers one term only. Cumulative GPA covers every term so far, weighted by credits. A strong semester raises your cumulative GPA, but by less the more credits you already have.
Why do I get both a GPA and a percentage average?
They answer different questions. The percentage average tells you how you performed overall; the GPA is what goes on most transcripts. Two courses at 89.9% and 80% both round to letters, so the GPA can move differently from the percentage.
What percentage counts as an A?
We use 93% and above for an A and 90–92.99% for an A−, a common US convention. Many schools use 90% for a straight A. If your school's bands differ, calculate letters yourself and use the GPA calculator, which accepts letter grades.
Can I use this for a single course's semester grade?
If you need to combine quarter grades and a semester exam for one course, use the grade calculator with each part as a category (for example Q1 40%, Q2 40%, exam 20%).