Introduction
A grade point average summarizes performance across several courses. The exact calculation depends on the grading scale and whether every course contributes equally.
A weighted GPA gives courses with more credits or a larger assigned weight more influence over the final result.
Key concept
A simple GPA is the arithmetic mean of grade points. A credit-weighted GPA multiplies each grade point by its course credits before dividing by total credits.
- Simple GPA = sum of grade points ÷ number of courses.
- Weighted GPA = sum of grade points × credits ÷ total credits.
Worked example
Suppose a student receives an A worth 4.0 points in a three-credit course and a C worth 2.0 points in a one-credit course. The simple average is 3.0, while the credit-weighted GPA is (4.0 × 3 + 2.0 × 1) ÷ 4 = 3.5.
Common mistakes
Do not mix letter grades, percentages and grade points without first converting them using the institution's official scale.
Pass/fail courses, repeated courses and honors weighting may follow local rules. A general calculator cannot determine those policies.
Choosing the right method
Use a simple average only when every item has equal importance. Use credit or percentage weighting when the course catalog or assessment plan assigns different values to different courses or components.