How to calculate GPA and CGPA
Your GPA is the average of your grade points for one semester, weighted by credit hours. Your CGPA is the same calculation across every semester you have finished.
The GPA formula
GPA stands for grade point average. Each course adds quality points: its credit hours multiplied by the grade points of the grade you earned. Add the quality points of all your courses, then divide by the total credit hours.
GPA = Sum of (Credit Hours x Grade Points) / Total Credit Hours
Grade points come from your university’s grade table. On a 4.00 scale an A is usually 4.00 and an F is 0.00, but the points for grades like A- and B+ differ between universities, which is why a generic GPA calculator can be wrong. See the grade table for your university.
How to calculate GPA step by step
- Write down each course with its credit hours and the letter grade you received.
- Look up the grade points for each letter in your university’s grade table.
- Multiply credit hours by grade points to get the quality points for each course.
- Add all the quality points, and add all the credit hours.
- Divide total quality points by total credit hours. That is your semester GPA.
GPA calculation example
One semester with four courses, using a common 4.00 scale (A = 4.00, A- = 3.67, B+ = 3.33, B = 3.00):
| Course | Grade | Credit hours | Quality points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Data Structures | A (4.00) | 3 | 12.00 |
| Calculus II | B+ (3.33) | 3 | 9.99 |
| Technical Writing | A- (3.67) | 2 | 7.34 |
| Physics | B (3.00) | 4 | 12.00 |
| Total | 12 | 41.33 |
GPA = 41.33 ÷ 12 = 3.44
How to calculate CGPA
CGPA is your cumulative GPA. Treat each semester like a big course: multiply the semester GPA by that semester’s credit hours, add those results across all semesters, then divide by the total credit hours.
CGPA = Total Quality Points across semesters / Total Credit Hours across semesters
| Semester | GPA | Credit hours | Quality points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | 3.20 | 18 | 57.60 |
| Semester 2 | 3.80 | 12 | 45.60 |
| Semester 3 | 2.90 | 15 | 43.50 |
| Total | 45 | 146.70 |
CGPA = 146.70 ÷ 45 = 3.26. Notice this is not the plain average of the three GPAs (3.30): the 18-credit semester counts for more than the 12-credit one. Want to see how the two measures differ? Read GPA vs CGPA.
Common GPA calculation mistakes
- Averaging semester GPAs. CGPA must be weighted by credit hours, as shown above.
- Leaving out failed courses. An F adds 0 quality points but its credit hours still count in the total.
- Using the wrong grade table. The points for A- or B+ differ between universities.
- Rounding too early. Keep full precision until the final division, then round the result.
- Ignoring repeat rules. Whether a repeated course replaces or adds to the old grade is set by your university’s regulations.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate GPA from marks or percentage?
First convert your marks to a letter grade using your university's marks table, then look up the grade points for that letter. Each university page on this site shows its grade table, with the marks range where one is published. There is no single national conversion.
How do I calculate GPA for one course?
For a single course your GPA for that course is just the grade points of the grade you received. The credit hours only matter once you combine several courses, because they decide how much each course counts.
Is CGPA the average of my semester GPAs?
Not exactly. CGPA weights each semester by its credit hours, so a heavy semester counts for more than a light one. A plain average of semester GPAs is only correct when every semester has the same credit hours.
Do failed courses count in my GPA?
In the standard calculation, yes. An F is worth 0 grade points but its credit hours are still included in the total you divide by, which is why one failed course pulls the average down. Rules for repeating a course vary by university, so check your own regulations.
What is a good GPA?
It depends on your university's scale and rules. Thresholds for probation, honours and scholarships are set by each university, so check your handbook. The target GPA calculator shows what you need next semester to reach a specific CGPA.
Calculate it for your own university
Every university uses its own grade table. Pick yours and the GPA calculator and CGPA calculator use the right grade points.
Last updated 2 October 2026. This guide explains the standard method; your university’s official regulations always take priority.