Raise GPA calculator: what do I need to reach my target GPA?

See the GPA you need next term, or how many credits of A's it takes, to bring your cumulative GPA up to a goal.

Short answer GPA needed next term = (target × total credits after the term − current GPA × credits so far) ÷ next term's credits. A 2.7 over 60 credits needs a 3.6 over the next 30 credits to reach 3.0, or 18 credits of straight A's.

Where you are
Where you want to be
Options

The formula

GPA needed = (target × (credits so far + new credits) − current GPA × credits so far) ÷ new credits

Your GPA is total grade points divided by total credits. To reach a target, you need enough new grade points to bring the average up. The more credits you already have, the more new credits it takes.

Worked example

You have a 2.7 GPA over 60 credits and want a 3.0.

  • Grade points now: 2.7 × 60 = 162
  • Over the next 30 credits you'd have 90 credits in total, and a 3.0 needs 3.0 × 90 = 270 grade points.
  • You need 270 − 162 = 108 grade points from 30 credits: 108 ÷ 30 = 3.6.
  • At straight A's (4.0), it takes 60 × (3.0 − 2.7) ÷ (4.0 − 3.0) = 18 credits.

Over one 15-credit term, the same student would need a 4.2, which isn't possible on a 4.0 scale. That's why the result shows several time frames.

Ways to raise your GPA faster

  • Retake low grades if your college replaces or excludes the old grade. One retaken F can do more than a term of new A's.
  • Take a full load of classes you can do well in. More credits at a high GPA move the average further.
  • Check what counts. Pass/fail courses and transfer credits often don't count in your GPA.

To work out a single term's GPA from letter grades, use the GPA calculator. To see if your GPA is competitive, read is my GPA good?

Common questions

How do I calculate the GPA I need to raise my GPA?
Multiply your target GPA by your total credits after next term, subtract your current grade points (current GPA × credits so far), and divide by next term's credits. With a 2.7 GPA over 60 credits and a 3.0 target, 30 more credits need (3.0 × 90 − 2.7 × 60) ÷ 30 = 3.6.
How fast can I raise my GPA?
It depends on how many credits you already have. The more credits behind your GPA, the more each new term is diluted. A 2.7 over 60 credits needs 18 credits of straight A's to reach 3.0. The same 2.7 over 120 credits needs 36.
Can I raise my GPA from 2.5 to 3.0 in one semester?
Usually only early on. With 30 credits at 2.5, you'd need about 4.0 over 15 credits. With 90 credits at 2.5, even a perfect 4.0 over 15 credits only gets you to about 2.71. The calculator shows this for your own numbers.
Does retaking a class raise my GPA more?
Often yes. Many colleges replace the old grade, or stop counting it, when you retake a course. That can lift your GPA faster than new credits. Policies differ, so check your registrar's grade replacement or forgiveness rules. This calculator assumes every grade counts.
Does this work for high school GPA?
Yes. Use credits per class (often 1 per year-long class or 0.5 per semester class) or simply the number of classes if each counts the same. For a weighted high school GPA, set the maximum to 5.0 under Options.

Check your syllabus. This calculator uses the numbers you enter. Your teacher's gradebook, weights, rounding rules and grading scale decide your official grade, and they can differ from the common scales used here.