How to Calculate Your GPA on a 4.0 Scale

High schools use different grading scales to calculate GPA (grade point average), and the 4.0 scale is just one common example. On this scale, an A typically equals 4.0, and your overall GPA is the average of your class grades. The ranges in the chart below reflect one commonly used system, but your school may calculate GPA differently.

Calculate Your Overall GPA on a 4.0 Scale Using GPA Points:

This table provides a general sense of how your numerical/letter grade in high school relates to the traditional 4.0 scale, allowing you to see how your grades compare to the GPA distributions reported by colleges. This is not necessarily a formula for calculating your true GPA. Some schools don’t use pluses and minuses, and others have different grade cutoffs. Always check with your school for the most accurate GPA conversion.

What is the average GPA?

The average GPA across all U.S. high schools is 3.0 while the average GPA across all U.S. colleges is 3.1. These numbers will vary significantly between school districts and colleges. 

Understanding GPA and GPA  points

Your GPA is the overall number that represents your academic performance, but it’s calculated using your GPA points—the numerical value assigned to each letter grade. To determine your GPA, you add up all the GPA points from your courses and divide them by the number of classes you’ve taken.

For example, if you took five classes and earned three A’s (4.0 each), one B (3.0) and one C (2.0): (4.0 + 4.0 + 4.0 + 3.0 + 2.0) ÷ 5 = 3.4 GPA

Some schools also use a weighted GPA system, where courses like AP and honors classes are assigned higher GPA points.

How Colleges Evaluate GPAs

 Colleges may recalculate your GPA based on their own criteria. Some may:

• Remove noncore courses (like physical education or electives).
• Focus on core subjects (math, science, English, social studies, and world languages).
• Adjust or remove weighting assigned to AP or honors to standardize GPAs across applicants, since grading scales vary by school. Some colleges may apply their own weighting system. 

Because of these variations, it’s best to ask college admissions offices directly how they evaluate GPA during the application process. This is why many colleges will ask you to report your actual grades either on the Common App or SRAR so they can recalculate using their own scale.

Find Colleges That Match Your GPA

You can use College Search to explore schools based on your GPA range.

1. Visit the College Search Tool to start exploring colleges.
2. Select the GPA filter: Under “Admission,” enter a GPA range to see colleges where students with similar GPAs have been admitted.
3. Compare your options: Browse schools that match your GPA, and check out their admissions criteria, average test scores, and available majors.
4. Save and explore: Save schools that interest you, and research what else they offer, like financial aid, student life, and career outcomes.

Quickly Explore Colleges That Consider These GPA Ranges: 

Need Help Understanding Your GPA?

• Ask your school counselor for details on how your GPA is calculated.
• Check with colleges to see how they review GPAs on transcripts.

Your GPA is just one part of your college application—strong coursework, extracurricular activities, and test scores can also help you stand out!