A weighted GPA gives extra credit for harder classes. On the most common system, an honors class adds 0.5 grade points and an AP, IB or dual-enrollment class adds a full 1.0, so an A in AP Chemistry counts as 5.0 instead of 4.0. This weighted GPA calculator works out both numbers side by side — your weighted GPA and your unweighted 4.0 GPA — because colleges often look at both, and many recalculate GPAs their own way.
Add each course with its letter grade, credits and level. The bonus values are editable, since schools differ: some give 0.5 for AP, some cap weighting, and some don't weight at all. For a straight unweighted GPA including past semesters, use the high school gpa calculator; to turn raw test scores into letters first, try the test grade calculator.
How to use the weighted gpa calculator
- Enter each course: the letter grade, the credits (usually 1 for a full-year class or 0.5 for a semester class) and the level.
- Use “+ Add course” for more rows and ✕ to remove one.
- Check the honors and AP bonus values against your school's handbook. The defaults are +0.5 and +1.0.
- Read your weighted GPA, with the unweighted GPA underneath for comparison.
Formula
Grade points: A+/A = 4.0, 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, D− = 0.7, F = 0. Bonus points are not added to an F, a common school rule.
Worked example
Using the courses pre-filled above:
| Course | Grade | Credits | Points | Weighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP Biology | A− | 1 | 3.7 | 4.7 |
| Honors English | B+ | 1 | 3.3 | 3.8 |
| Algebra II | A | 1 | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| U.S. History | B | 1 | 3.0 | 3.0 |
| Honors Spanish III | A | 1 | 4.0 | 4.5 |
| PE | A | 0.5 | 4.0 | 4.0 |
- Weighted points: 4.7 + 3.8 + 4.0 + 3.0 + 4.5 + (4.0 × 0.5) = 22.0.
- Unweighted points: 3.7 + 3.3 + 4.0 + 3.0 + 4.0 + 2.0 = 20.0.
- Total credits: 5.5.
- Weighted GPA = 22.0 ÷ 5.5 = 4.00; unweighted GPA = 20.0 ÷ 5.5 = 3.64.
Weighted vs. unweighted GPA: which do colleges use?
Both appear on many transcripts. The College Board's BigFuture explains that colleges may recalculate your GPA using their own criteria — for example removing non-core classes such as PE, focusing on core academic subjects, or adjusting or removing honors and AP weighting so applicants from different schools can be compared. That is why this calculator always shows your unweighted GPA too. BigFuture also reports that the average GPA across U.S. high schools is about 3.0.
Caveats and assumptions
- Weighting rules are set locally. Some schools weight only junior and senior years, cap the number of weighted classes, or use a 4.5 maximum.
- Some schools award A+ as 4.3; change the letter to A if your school caps at 4.0, or adjust your result accordingly.
- Pass/fail and audit classes are normally excluded; leave them out.
- Your official GPA is the one on your transcript.
Frequently asked questions
What is a weighted GPA?
A GPA that adds bonus points for advanced classes — typically +0.5 for honors and +1.0 for AP, IB or dual-enrollment — so the maximum is usually 5.0 instead of 4.0.
Is a 4.0 weighted GPA good?
It depends on the course mix. A 4.0 weighted GPA could come from straight A's in regular classes or from A's and B's in advanced classes. Colleges look at the rigour of your courses as well as the number.
How much does an AP class raise your GPA?
On the common scale, each AP class adds 1.0 grade point for that course. Its effect on your overall GPA is that 1.0 × the course credits ÷ your total credits.
What is the highest weighted GPA possible?
Usually 5.0 if every class is AP/IB with an A. Schools with different weighting may have a different maximum.
Do colleges look at weighted or unweighted GPA?
Many colleges recalculate GPA on their own scale; some use unweighted GPA, some use their own weighting. Showing both helps you understand where you stand.
Sources
- College Board BigFuture — How to Convert Your GPA to a 4.0 Scale — GPA calculation, weighting, how colleges recalculate
- AP Students — About AP Scores — AP courses and exams
- NCES — High School Transcript Study — national GPA and course-taking data
This calculator gives estimates for planning and education. Check measurements, local codes, supplier specs and your school's official policy before relying on a result. See our disclaimer and how we build and check calculators.