University of Washington GPA Calculator
Calculate your UW Seattle GPA using the official quarter-system grading scale — enter your courses, grades, and credit hours to get your semester and cumulative GPA instantly.
How to Use the UW GPA Calculator
- 1Enter each course name (optional), select the letter grade you received, and enter the number of credit hours (UW standard is 4 credits per course).
- 2Click "+ Add Course" to add more courses for the quarter.
- 3Optionally enter your previous cumulative GPA and total credit hours to calculate your updated cumulative GPA.
- 4Click "Calculate UW GPA" to see your Quarter GPA, Cumulative GPA (if previous data entered), and your academic standing / honors eligibility.
- •UW does not award A+ — A (4.0) is the maximum grade.
- •UW uses a quarter system — most courses are 3–5 credits, with 4 credits being the most common.
About This UW GPA Calculator
The University of Washington GPA Calculator uses the official UW Seattle grading scale as defined by the UW Academic Regulations. The calculator supports the full letter grade range from A (4.0) to F (0.0), including plus/minus grades, and accurately reflects UW's policy of not awarding an A+ grade.
UW Seattle operates on a quarter system rather than a semester system, meaning a full academic year consists of three quarters (Autumn, Winter, Spring). Most courses carry 3–5 credit hours, with 4 credits being standard for lecture courses.
This calculator helps UW students plan their academic performance, check honors eligibility, and understand how a current quarter will affect their cumulative GPA.
How GPA Is Calculated at UW
UW GPA is calculated using the standard weighted average formula:
- Grade Points = Letter Grade value × Credit Hours for each course
- Quarter GPA = Total Grade Points ÷ Total Credit Hours for the quarter
- Cumulative GPA = (Previous Grade Points + Current Grade Points) ÷ (Previous Credits + Current Credits)
Where Previous Grade Points = Previous Cumulative GPA × Previous Total Credits.
Only graded credit hours are included in GPA calculation. Courses graded S/NS (Satisfactory/Not Satisfactory) or CR/NC (Credit/No Credit) do not affect GPA.
UW Grading Scale Reference
University of Washington Official Grading Scale
| Letter Grade | Grade Points | Letter Grade | Grade Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 4.0 | C+ | 2.3 |
| A- | 3.7 | C | 2.0 |
| B+ | 3.3 | C- | 1.7 |
| B | 3.0 | D+ | 1.3 |
| B- | 2.7 | D | 1.0 |
| — | — | F | 0.0 |
Source: UW Academic Regulations. UW does not award A+ — A (4.0) is the highest grade.
UW Graduation Honors Thresholds
| Honors Level | Minimum Cumulative GPA | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cum Laude | 3.5 | With Distinction |
| Magna Cum Laude | 3.75 | With High Distinction |
| Summa Cum Laude | 3.85 | With Highest Distinction |
Graduation honors are based on the cumulative UW GPA at the time of degree conferral. Transfer GPA is not included.
UW Quarter System vs Semester System
Unlike most US universities that use a semester calendar, the University of Washington uses a quarter system. Here's what that means for GPA calculation:
- Three quarters per year: Autumn (September–December), Winter (January–March), Spring (March–June). Summer Session is optional.
- Typical course load: 15–18 credits per quarter. Full-time status requires at least 12 credits.
- Credit hours: Most lecture courses are 4–5 credits. Labs are typically 1–2 credits. Seminars may be 1–3 credits.
- GPA recalculation: Because quarters are shorter than semesters, your GPA can change more quickly — both improving and declining — compared to semester-system schools.
When transferring credits from a semester school to UW, credits are typically multiplied by 1.5 (e.g., a 3-credit semester course ≈ 4.5 quarter credits). However, transfer GPA is not included in your UW cumulative GPA.
Academic Standing at UW Seattle
The University of Washington monitors academic standing each quarter. Here are the key thresholds:
- Good Standing: Cumulative GPA ≥ 2.0 (undergraduate). Most graduate programs require ≥ 3.0.
- Academic Probation: Cumulative GPA falls below 2.0 after any quarter. Students on probation must raise their GPA above 2.0 within the next quarter or face dismissal.
- Academic Dismissal: Failure to raise GPA above 2.0 while on probation, or extreme cases where the deficit is too large to recover within one quarter.
- Dean's List: UW does not have a traditional Dean's List, but honors are awarded at graduation (Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, Summa Cum Laude) based on cumulative UW GPA.
Who Uses This Calculator?
- ✓UW Seattle undergraduates tracking their quarter GPA and planning for graduation honors
- ✓Students on academic probation calculating the GPA needed to return to good standing
- ✓Prospective UW students understanding the grading scale before enrollment
- ✓Graduate school applicants calculating their UW undergraduate GPA for applications
- ✓Transfer students estimating how UW credits will affect their new cumulative GPA
Limitations & Notes
Known Limitations
- •S/NS and CR/NC graded courses are not included — this calculator handles letter-graded courses only.
- •Transfer credits and study abroad credits are typically not counted in UW GPA — do not include them.
- •Graduate programs may use different GPA thresholds for satisfactory academic progress — check with your department.
- •Honors thresholds shown are for undergraduate graduation honors at UW Seattle; UW Bothell and UW Tacoma may differ.
Tips
- →Use your UW transcript from MyUW to get exact credit hours and grades for each course.
- →UW's standard 4-credit course load means 15 credits = 3 courses + one 3-credit course per quarter.
- →If targeting Magna Cum Laude (3.75), plan backwards from your current GPA to see how many quarters of straight A's you'll need.
- →The UW Registrar's Office provides an official GPA on your transcript — use this calculator for planning, not official records.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does UW use a 4.0 GPA scale?
- Yes, the University of Washington uses a standard 4.0 GPA scale. The highest grade is A (4.0) — UW does not award A+ grades. The scale includes plus/minus grades: A- = 3.7, B+ = 3.3, B = 3.0, B- = 2.7, C+ = 2.3, C = 2.0, C- = 1.7, D+ = 1.3, D = 1.0, and F = 0.0.
- How many credits is a typical UW course?
- Most lecture courses at UW Seattle are 4–5 credit hours. Laboratory sections are typically 1–2 credits. Some seminars and independent study courses may be 1–3 credits. The calculator defaults to 4 credits per course, which is the most common value.
- What GPA do I need for honors at UW?
- UW graduation honors require: Cum Laude (With Distinction) — 3.5 GPA; Magna Cum Laude (With High Distinction) — 3.75 GPA; Summa Cum Laude (With Highest Distinction) — 3.85 GPA. These are based on your cumulative UW GPA only; transfer credits are excluded.
- What happens if my UW GPA falls below 2.0?
- If your cumulative GPA falls below 2.0, you will be placed on Academic Probation. You must raise your GPA above 2.0 in the following quarter. If you fail to do so, you may be subject to Academic Dismissal. Contact your academic advisor immediately if your GPA is approaching 2.0.
- Does UW have a Dean's List?
- UW Seattle does not publish a quarterly Dean's List the way many universities do. Instead, academic excellence is recognized at graduation through Latin honors: Cum Laude (≥3.5), Magna Cum Laude (≥3.75), and Summa Cum Laude (≥3.85). Some individual colleges within UW may maintain their own honor recognition programs.
- Are transfer credits included in my UW GPA?
- No. Transfer credits from other institutions count toward your degree requirements (credits completed) but are not included in your UW cumulative GPA calculation. Only courses taken at UW Seattle are included. This also means graduate school applicants should report their UW GPA separately from overall transfer-inclusive GPA.
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This calculator uses the official University of Washington grading scale for planning purposes only. Always verify your GPA through the official UW MyUW portal.
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