How GPA actually works (and why credit hours matter)
GPA is a weighted average of your course grades, not a simple mean of letter grades. Each course contributes grade points multiplied by credit hours, then the total is divided by credits attempted. That is why a low grade in a 4-credit lab hurts more than the same letter in a 1-credit seminar.
Most U.S. colleges use a 4.0 scale (A = 4.0). Other regions use 5.0, 7.0, or 10.0 scales, and some schools add weight for honors or AP courses. When you compare GPAs across countries or institutions, always confirm the scale first — a 3.5 on a 4.0 scale is not the same as 3.5 on a 5.0 scale.
Use our free GPA calculator to model semester and cumulative GPA with your school’s scale, then convert results with the GPA ↔ percentage tools when an application form asks for a different format.





