Semester GPA and cumulative GPA, explained
Credits are the weights. A short semester should not have the same influence as several years of study.
For each counted course, multiply grade points by credits. Add those quality points and divide by counted credits. A four-credit course contributes twice as much as a two-credit course with the same grading scale.
To combine semesters, combine their quality points and credits. Do not take a plain average of semester GPAs when the credit loads differ. A 4.0 across 6 credits and a 3.0 across 18 credits give a cumulative 3.25.
Use your institution’s grade-point values and exclusions. Percentage bands, A+ treatment and pass/fail rules differ. This is especially important when using a calculator across countries or institutions.
Try this with your own course
- Use grade points and credits from a consistent institutional scale.
- Keep quality points and credits together when combining terms.
- Exclude only the courses your institution excludes; make a separate scenario for uncertain future results.
Before relying on the answer
Use your syllabus, timetable or transcript for the inputs. The calculator checks the arithmetic under those inputs; your institution decides the official result. Save a scenario as a plan rather than treating it as a confirmed mark.
Published by GradeOnward · Updated 19 October 2026 · Editorial approach · Suggest a correction