UW Madison GPA Calculator
Calculating…
Your UW Madison GPA
Understanding your Grade Point Average (GPA) is one of the most important parts of academic planning at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Whether you’re preparing for graduation, applying for scholarships, or considering graduate school, knowing your GPA helps you stay on track.
The UW Madison GPA Calculator is a convenient online tool that allows you to enter your courses, credits, and grades to instantly see your GPA on a 4.0 scale. It eliminates the need for manual calculations, giving you a fast, accurate, and detailed breakdown of your academic performance.
How the UW Madison GPA Calculator Works
The GPA calculator is based on the official UW–Madison grading scale. Each letter grade is assigned a specific grade point value:
- A = 4.0
- AB = 3.5
- B = 3.0
- BC = 2.5
- C = 2.0
- D = 1.0
- F = 0.0
When you enter your courses, the calculator multiplies the grade points by the number of credits for each course. It then adds everything together and divides by the total credits to give your GPA.
The calculator also provides a breakdown of each course so you can see exactly how grades contribute to your GPA.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Using the Calculator
Here’s how to use the UW Madison GPA Calculator:
- Add Your Courses
- Use the “+ Add Course” button to create a row.
- Enter the course name (optional), number of credits, and your grade.
- Include Multiple Courses
- Add as many rows as you need to reflect your semester or cumulative classes.
- Remove Mistakes
- If you added a course in error, click “Remove” to delete it.
- Calculate GPA
- Click “Calculate GPA” to start the calculation.
- A progress bar will briefly display, then results appear.
- View Results
- You’ll see your total GPA, total grade points, total credits, and a full course-by-course breakdown.
- Copy or Share Results
- Use the “Copy GPA” button to save your results to the clipboard.
- Use “Share GPA” to send results directly through supported apps.
- Reset if Needed
- Start fresh anytime by clicking the “Reset” button.
Practical Example
Imagine you completed the following courses:
- Math 221 – 4 credits, Grade: A (4.0)
- Chemistry 103 – 3 credits, Grade: B (3.0)
- English 100 – 3 credits, Grade: AB (3.5)
- History 201 – 4 credits, Grade: BC (2.5)
Step 1: Convert grades to points.
- Math 221: 4 × 4.0 = 16.00 points
- Chemistry 103: 3 × 3.0 = 9.00 points
- English 100: 3 × 3.5 = 10.50 points
- History 201: 4 × 2.5 = 10.00 points
Step 2: Add points = 45.50
Step 3: Add credits = 14
Step 4: GPA = 45.50 ÷ 14 = 3.25
With the calculator, this entire process is done instantly, showing both your GPA and the breakdown.
Benefits of the UW Madison GPA Calculator
- Accuracy: Uses UW–Madison’s official grade scale.
- Saves Time: No need to calculate manually.
- Detailed Results: Shows GPA plus course breakdown.
- Flexible: Works for single semesters or cumulative GPAs.
- Convenient Sharing: Copy or share results with advisors or peers.
- User-Friendly: Simple interface with easy-to-use input fields.
Key Features
- Add, remove, and edit courses quickly.
- Accepts decimals for credits.
- Uses official UW–Madison GPA scale.
- Progress bar for a smooth experience.
- Detailed results with grade points, credits, and GPA.
- Copy and share functionality.
- Mobile-friendly design.
Use Cases
- Students: Tracking GPA progress across semesters.
- Advisors: Helping students plan for academic success.
- Scholarship Applicants: Confirming GPA requirements.
- Graduate School Preparation: Ensuring eligibility for applications.
- Parents: Supporting children’s academic planning.
Tips for Best Results
- Always enter the correct number of credits per course.
- Exclude courses marked as S/U, CR/N, P/F, W, I, NR, or transfer courses, since they don’t count toward GPA.
- Use course names for clarity, though they are optional.
- Double-check grades to avoid errors.
- Calculate both semester GPA and cumulative GPA for a complete picture.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What grading scale does UW–Madison use?
UW–Madison uses a 4.0 scale with unique letter grades like AB (3.5) and BC (2.5).
2. Can I calculate cumulative GPA with this tool?
Yes, by entering all courses from multiple semesters.
3. Do pass/fail courses count toward GPA?
No, grades like S/U, CR/N, P/F are excluded.
4. What happens if I enter zero credits?
That course won’t count toward GPA calculations.
5. Can I calculate GPA for just one semester?
Yes, simply enter the courses for that semester only.
6. Is the calculator mobile-friendly?
Yes, it works on phones, tablets, and desktops.
7. How many courses can I add?
There’s no limit—you can add as many as needed.
8. What if I get an incomplete (I)?
Incomplete grades are not factored into GPA until resolved.
9. Can I save my results?
Yes, copy or share results for future reference.
10. Does the calculator include transfer credits?
No, transfer courses don’t count in GPA.
11. How precise are the results?
The calculator shows GPA up to three decimal places.
12. What is the difference between GPA and cumulative GPA?
GPA is for one term, while cumulative GPA includes all coursework.
13. Can I use this tool for graduate-level courses?
Yes, as long as the courses follow UW–Madison’s grading system.
14. Does repeating a course change my GPA?
Yes, only the most recent grade counts toward GPA.
15. Can I enter fractional credits?
Yes, decimal values are supported.
16. Does it calculate major GPA separately?
Not automatically, but you can enter only major courses to calculate it.
17. Is this tool official?
It’s an unofficial calculator that follows UW–Madison’s scale.
18. Why is my GPA lower than expected?
This happens if you don’t include all courses or misenter credits/grades.
19. Can advisors use this tool with students?
Yes, it’s perfect for advising sessions.
20. Is there a way to share my GPA directly?
Yes, the tool includes a “Share GPA” button for quick sharing.
Final Thoughts
The UW Madison GPA Calculator is an invaluable tool for students who want to stay in control of their academic progress. By offering instant, accurate calculations with a breakdown of courses, it takes the stress out of GPA management.
Whether you’re planning your next semester, applying for a scholarship, or preparing for graduate school, this calculator ensures you always know where you stand academically.
Stay ahead, stay informed, and let the UW Madison GPA Calculator make GPA tracking effortless.