Cumulative GPA Calculator
Last updated: August 4, 2026
Combine your prior cumulative GPA with this term's courses to see your new overall GPA.
Prior record
This term
How cumulative GPA is calculated
cumulative = (prior GPA × prior credits + term points) ÷ (prior credits + term credits)
Your prior GPA is first turned back into total quality points (GPA × credits). This term's points are added, then everything is divided by the new total credits. As your credit total grows, each new term moves the cumulative figure less — which is why a low early GPA is hard to recover quickly.
Two worked examples
Example 1 — a strong term: prior GPA 3.40 over 60 credits. This term: a B+ (3.3) in a 3-credit course, an A (4.0) in a 4-credit course, and an A- (3.7) in a 3-credit course. Term points = 3.3×3 + 4.0×4 + 3.7×3 = 9.9 + 16.0 + 11.1 = 37.0, over 3+4+3 = 10 term credits. Cumulative = (3.40×60 + 37.0) ÷ (60+10) = (204 + 37) ÷ 70 = 241 ÷ 70 = 3.44 — barely above the prior 3.40, because 10 new credits are small next to 60 banked ones.
Example 2 — a rough term: prior GPA 2.90 over 45 credits. This term: a C+ (2.3) in a 3-credit course and a B- (2.7) in a 3-credit course. Term points = 2.3×3 + 2.7×3 = 6.9 + 8.1 = 15.0, over 6 term credits. Cumulative = (2.90×45 + 15.0) ÷ (45+6) = (130.5 + 15) ÷ 51 = 145.5 ÷ 51 = 2.85, a five-hundredths drop from 2.90 — a small, six-credit term nudges the average down only slightly even though its own GPA (2.50) was well below the prior record.
Frequently asked questions
Why does a whole term barely move my GPA?
Because it is averaged over all your credits. With 60 credits behind you, a single 15-credit term carries only a quarter of the weight — see the worked examples above for the exact effect.
Do failed or retaken courses count?
Policies differ — many schools replace the original grade on retake, some average both attempts, and some keep the original grade regardless. Enter grades according to your institution's rule.
How is the cumulative GPA formula derived?
Your prior GPA is converted back into total quality points (GPA × credits) so it can be added to this term's points (grade × credits per course); the sum is then divided by the new total credits to get the cumulative average.
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