1. Turn each grade into grade points
A grade-point scale gives every GPA-bearing letter grade a number. On GPA Clarity's generic 4.0 scale, an A is 4.0, B+ is 3.3, B is 3.0, C is 2.0, D is 1.0, and F is 0.0. Plus and minus grades use the values shown in the calculator's grade-scale panel.
Your school's scale is the authority. Check it before treating any online calculator as final.
2. Calculate quality points for each course
Multiply a course's grade-point value by its GPA units. That gives the course's quality points.
For example, a 3-unit course with an A produces 12 quality points: 4.0 × 3 = 12. A 4-unit course with a B+ produces 13.2 quality points: 3.3 × 4 = 13.2.
3. Find the term GPA
Add the quality points from every GPA-bearing course, then divide by the total number of GPA units.
Using the two courses above, the student has 25.2 quality points across 7 GPA units. The term GPA is 25.2 ÷ 7 = 3.600.
4. Project a cumulative GPA
A current cumulative GPA is also a weighted average. To combine it with a new term, first reconstruct the existing quality points by multiplying the current GPA by completed GPA units. Then add the planned term's quality points and divide by the combined GPA units.
Suppose a student has a 3.000 GPA over 30 completed units. That represents 90 quality points. If the student then earns 25.2 quality points over 7 GPA units, the estimate is 115.2 ÷ 37, or approximately 3.114.
Which grades count?
In GPA Clarity, W, CR, and NC do not add GPA units or quality points. WU counts like an F and therefore adds units with zero quality points. These labels can mean different things at different schools, so confirm how your transcript treats them.
What about repeated courses?
The calculator offers an optional full-replacement estimate. When selected, it removes the earlier attempt's units and quality points before adding the new attempt. Some institutions instead average both attempts, limit the number of replaceable units, or keep both grades visible while changing only the GPA calculation.
Try your own numbers
Open the free GPA calculator, enter your current GPA and completed GPA units, then add each planned course using whole-number units. The result updates as you change grades.