Grades
Quality points for a single course
The quantity that accumulates across courses and terms. A 3-credit A earns 12.0 quality points and a 2-credit A- earns 7.4; sum these first and divide only at the end.
The Formula
Quality points = grade points x credits
The quantity that accumulates across courses and terms. A 3-credit A earns 12.0 quality points and a 2-credit A- earns 7.4; sum these first and divide only at the end.
| Symbol | Meaning | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| q | Quality points contributed by the course | point-credits | Additive, which is why cumulative GPA can be recomputed from them at any time. |
| g | Grade points for the course | points | 4.0 for an A, 3.7 for an A-, 3.0 for a B on the standard table. |
| c | Credits for the course | credits | Zero-credit courses contribute nothing and can be excluded safely. |
What Each Symbol Means
qpoint-credits
Quality points contributed by the course
Additive, which is why cumulative GPA can be recomputed from them at any time.
gpoints
Grade points for the course
4.0 for an A, 3.7 for an A-, 3.0 for a B on the standard table.
ccredits
Credits for the course
Zero-credit courses contribute nothing and can be excluded safely.
See It Worked With Real Numbers
A formula on its own does not tell you which number goes where. The how to calculate gpa page applies this equation to a concrete case, shows every intermediate step, and names the mistakes that produce a wrong answer even when the algebra is right.
Where This Formula Appears
This equation is the working core of How To Calculate GPA, filed under Education. Every number the guide produces comes from substituting into this one line.