Field guide
How to use this GPA calculator
Start with one semester, enter each class as a course row, then add another semester only when you want a multi-term cumulative GPA. If you are unsure about a setting, use Standard 4.0, Regular level, and the grade type shown on your report card.
Watch the setup flow
Follow these five steps when you are not sure where to start. The same flow works for regular GPA, equal-credit estimates, mixed grade types, multiple semesters, and weighted AP or Honors courses.
Auto-playing walkthrough45 second demo
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Zooming camera walkthroughChoose GPA system controlAdd a course rowLevel changed to APResult updates
- 1Choose GPA system
Most users start with Standard 4.0. Switch to Weighted 5.0 only if your school adds course-level weight.
- 2Add courses
Use Add course for another class in the same semester.
- 3Pick grade type and credits
Use Letter, Percent, GPA points, or Points, then enter credits if you know them.
- 4Use Level only with Weighted 5.0
Regular adds 0, Honors adds 0.5, and AP or IB adds 1.0 before the cap.
- 5Read the result
Add semester only when you want a cumulative GPA across more than one term.
Course and semester buttons
Add courseAdds one more class inside the same semester. Use it for another English, Biology, History, lab, elective, or any other course in that term.
Add semesterAdds a new term, such as Semester 2 or Fall 2026. GradeCal combines all completed semester rows into the cumulative GPA; a blank semester does not change the result.
What each course field means
| Field | Use it for | Example |
|---|
| Course | The class name. It is only a label, so it does not affect the math. | English, AP Chemistry, Biology Lab |
| Grade | The score you received. Match the format to the selected Type. | A-, 92, 3.7, or 45/50 |
| Type | The format of the Grade field. | Letter, Percent, GPA points, or Points |
| Credits | The credit hours or units for the course. More credits give that course more weight in the GPA. | 3 for a typical college class, 1 for equal high-school classes |
| Level | The course difficulty category. It changes GPA points only when GPA System is Weighted 5.0. | Regular, Honors, AP, or IB |
Type options
- Letter
- Use when your grade is A, A-, B+, C, and so on.
- Percent
- Use when your grade is a percentage such as 92 or 87.5.
- GPA points
- Use when your school already gives the course as GPA points, such as 3.7.
- Points
- Use earned/possible points, such as 45/50. GradeCal converts it to a percent first.
GPA System options
Standard 4.0
Choose this if your transcript uses the common unweighted scale where A is 4.0, B is 3.0, C is 2.0, and so on. This is the safest default for most college GPA checks, regular high-school GPA estimates, and cases where you are not sure which system your school uses. Level will stay Regular and will not add Honors, AP, or IB points.
Standard 4.0 example| Grade | GPA points |
|---|
| A | 4.0 |
| A- | 3.7 |
| B | 3.0 |
Weighted 5.0
Choose this only if your school publishes a weighted GPA or tells you that advanced courses receive extra GPA points. This is the only GPA system where Level changes the result: Regular adds 0, Honors adds 0.5, AP adds 1.0, and IB adds 1.0 before the 5.0 cap. Example: an A in AP Chemistry can count as 5.0 instead of 4.0.
Weighted 5.0 example| Grade | Regular | Honors | AP | IB |
|---|
| A = 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| A- = 3.7 | 3.7 | 4.2 | 4.7 | 4.7 |
| B = 3.0 | 3.0 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.0 |
Weighted 5.0 does not mean every class is graded out of 5.0. Regular classes still use the normal 4.0 value; only Honors, AP, and IB add extra points.
A+ counts as 4.3
Choose this when A+ should be worth 4.3 but AP and Honors should not add weight. Use it only if your school officially separates A+ from A on the GPA scale. Level is fixed to Regular, so selecting Honors, AP, or IB is not part of this system.
A+ counts as 4.3 example| Grade | GPA points |
|---|
| A+ | 4.3 |
| A | 4.0 |
| A- | 3.7 |
No A+
Choose this when A+ should not be a separate score. If you enter A+, GradeCal treats it the same as A, usually 4.0 on the unweighted scale. Level is fixed to Regular, so Honors, AP, and IB do not add points.
No A+ example| Grade entered | Counts as | GPA points |
|---|
| A+ | A | 4.0 |
| A | A | 4.0 |
| A- | A- | 3.7 |
Level options
- Regular
- Use for normal courses with no weighted GPA bonus. This is the fixed Level unless GPA System is Weighted 5.0.
- Honors
- Use when your school gives Honors classes extra GPA weight. This option is active only with Weighted 5.0.
- AP
- Use for Advanced Placement courses when your school weights AP classes. This option is active only with Weighted 5.0.
- IB
- Use for International Baccalaureate courses when your school weights IB classes. This option is active only with Weighted 5.0.
Example: with Type set to Percent, Grade 92 becomes A- on the default scale. With Level set to Regular, it counts as 3.7 GPA points. With GPA System set to Weighted 5.0 and Level set to AP, the same A- can count as 4.7 GPA points.
GPA math
GPA calculation basics
GPA is a credit-weighted average of course quality points. Add semesters only when you want those terms included in the same cumulative result.
Formula
How to calculate GPA
GPA uses quality points. Convert each course grade to GPA points, multiply by credits, add those quality points, then divide by total credits. If you do not know credits, equal-credit mode gives each course the same weight.
GPA = sum(course GPA points x credits) / sum(credits)
Cumulative GPA
Add semesters for cumulative GPA
For cumulative GPA, add another semester and enter the courses for that term. GradeCal combines the quality points and credits from every entered semester, so a new blank semester will not change the result until courses are added.
cumulative GPA = total quality points / total attempted GPA credits
Rules
GPA systems and weighted levels
Choose the GPA system first. Course Level affects the math only when the selected system is Weighted 5.0.
Scale settings
Choose the GPA system that matches your school
The default bands put 90-92 at A- and 93-96 at A. You can switch between Standard 4.0, Weighted 5.0, A+ counts as 4.3, or No A+ without opening extra settings.
Weighted GPA
Plan 5.0-scale and weighted course levels
Honors, AP, and IB course levels are available in the course table when Weighted 5.0 is selected. They are planning settings, not official school rules. Use your transcript policy or counselor guidance for the exact weighting method.
Workflow
Semester workflow and transcript limits
Keep one table per term, add courses inside that term, and confirm special policies with your school before treating an estimate as an official transcript GPA.
Semester workflow
Use one table per term
Use Add course inside a semester when you need another class row. Use Add semester only when you want a separate term included in the cumulative GPA. Empty semesters stay visible for planning but do not count toward credits or GPA.
Policy check
Use this as a calculator, not a transcript
Schools can handle repeated courses, pass/fail classes, withdrawals, dual credit, and transfer credit differently. GradeCal helps with the arithmetic, but official GPA comes from your school's published rules and student record system.