GPA & CGPA Calculator: Free Semester & Target Planner

Smartphone showing a GPA calculator result beside a notebook of course grades on a study desk

Free GPA & CGPA Calculator

Work out your semester GPA, your cumulative CGPA, or the grade you need next term to reach a target. Works on any phone, and choose between the US 4.0 scale and the Bangladesh (UGC) 4.0 scale.

CourseGradeCredits
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What Are GPA and CGPA?

If you have ever looked at a transcript and wondered how letters and credit hours become one decimal number, you are not alone. Two terms sit at the centre of that process: GPA (Grade Point Average) and CGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average).

Your GPA measures one term, so it is a snapshot of your recent work. Your CGPA combines every term you have completed into a single running score for your whole degree or school career.

Knowing both helps when you are applying to universities, checking scholarship requirements, or deciding how many courses to take next term.

Along with academic tools like our calculator, managing everyday conversions—such as using our Free Currency Converter—helps streamline your digital tasks.

How to Calculate GPA and CGPA by Hand

A calculator saves time, but understanding the maths shows you how each grade moves your overall score.

Students and researchers who frequently draft reports, essays, or assignments—and check them using tools like our Free Character Counter & Text Analyzer—can also use this page to manage their academic grades efficiently.

Semester GPA

GPA = total quality points ÷ total credit hours
  1. List every course with its grade point value and credit hours.
  2. Find the quality points for each course by multiplying credits by grade points. A 4-credit course with an A (4.0) gives 16 quality points.
  3. Add up all the quality points.
  4. Divide that total by the total credit hours for the term.

A worked example

CourseGradeCreditsQuality points
CalculusA (4.0)416.0
EnglishB+ (3.3)39.9
PhysicsB (3.0)39.0
Total1034.9

GPA = 34.9 ÷ 10 = 3.49.

Cumulative GPA (CGPA)

Do not simply average your semester GPAs. If your credit loads differ, that gives the wrong answer. Weight each semester by its credits instead.

CGPA = quality points from all semesters ÷ credit hours from all semesters

For example, a 3.2 GPA over 18 credits and a 3.8 GPA over 12 credits gives (3.2 × 18 + 3.8 × 12) ÷ 30 = 3.44, not the simple average of 3.50.

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Grading Scale Charts

Scales differ between institutions, so always check your own handbook. These are the two scales the calculator uses.

US 4.0 scale

LetterPercentageGrade points
A+ / A93–100%4.0
A-90–92%3.7
B+87–89%3.3
B83–86%3.0
B-80–82%2.7
C+77–79%2.3
C73–76%2.0
C-70–72%1.7
D+67–69%1.3
D65–66%1.0
FBelow 65%0.0

Bangladesh UGC 4.0 scale

LetterMarksGrade points
A+80–100%4.00
A75–79%3.75
A-70–74%3.50
B+65–69%3.25
B60–64%3.00
B-55–59%2.75
C+50–54%2.50
C45–49%2.25
D40–44%2.00
FBelow 40%0.00

Weighted vs. Unweighted GPA

High school students and undergraduate applicants often meet both versions.

Unweighted GPA

An unweighted GPA uses a 0.0 to 4.0 scale whatever the difficulty of the class. An A in advanced physics and an A in an introductory art class both count as 4.0.

Weighted GPA

A weighted GPA gives extra credit for harder courses such as AP, IB or Honors, so the scale can reach 5.0. An A in an AP class might earn 5.0, while an A in a regular class earns 4.0. This lets colleges see the rigour of your schedule. This calculator uses the unweighted scale.

5 Ways to Raise Your CGPA

A low CGPA is fixable, but it takes steady, focused changes rather than panic.

1. Prioritise high-credit courses

Because GPA is a weighted average, a 4- or 5-credit course moves your score far more than a 1- or 2-credit elective. Strong marks in heavy courses give the biggest return.

2. Use retake policies

Many institutions let you retake a course in which you earned a D or F, and in many cases the new grade replaces the old one in your cumulative average. Check your own rules first.

3. Check your progress early

Track quizzes, assignments and midterms from week one. Finding weak spots early leaves time for office hours, tutoring or a study group.

4. Balance your course load

Overloading your schedule to graduate sooner can spread your focus too thin and pull down every grade. Pair demanding STEM or theory courses with lighter general-education ones.

5. Plan with the target tool

Use the Target planner above to see the exact GPA you need next semester. A clear number is easier to work toward than a vague goal.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between GPA and CGPA?

GPA covers a single semester or term. CGPA covers all completed terms combined, weighted by credit hours.

Can one bad semester ruin my CGPA?

Rarely. The earlier it happens, the less weight it carries in your total credits, so steady improvement can bring your average back up.

Do employers check CGPA?

Some do, especially in fields such as investment banking, consulting and engineering, and for competitive graduate programmes. Many other employers care more about experience, skills, portfolio work and interviews.

What is a good CGPA?

On a 4.0 scale, 3.0 or above is generally considered good and meets the requirements of many graduate programmes and employers. Around 3.5 and above often qualifies for honours such as Cum Laude, though the cut-off varies by institution.

How do I convert my CGPA to a percentage?

There is no single formula that works everywhere. Each university or board publishes its own conversion method, so use the one in your official handbook or ask your registrar's office. Be careful with online formulas that are not from your institution.

Do pass/fail, withdrawn or audited courses count toward GPA?

Usually not, but policies vary. Many institutions leave pass/fail, withdrawn and audited courses out of the GPA calculation, while a failed grade (F) normally counts as 0.0. Check your institution's policy before you enter these courses.

Disclaimer

This calculator is for estimation and educational purposes only. Results may differ from your official transcript because institutions use different grading scales, rounding rules, retake policies and credit systems. It does not replace advice from your academic advisor, registrar or examination office. For admissions, scholarships or graduation decisions, always rely on your institution's official records.

When preparing transcripts, application documents, or certificates for university admissions, you can easily combine them into a single file using our Free PDF Merger.

References and Further Reading

The grading scales above are common examples. For exact rules, consult these official sources:

  • Your institution's academic handbook or registrar's office, which is the final authority on grade points, rounding, retakes and honours cut-offs.
  • University Grants Commission of Bangladesh (ugc.gov.bd) for national higher-education guidelines.
  • Your school board or examination authority for high school grading and weighted GPA rules.

Last reviewed: 2026. Grading policies change, so confirm current rules with your institution.

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