An unweighted GPA scores every class on the same 4.0 scale, so an A is always 4.0. A weighted GPA adds extra points for harder classes, usually +0.5 for honors and +1.0 for AP or IB, so an A in AP can count as 5.0. To calculate either one, multiply each grade's points by its credits, add the results, and divide by the total credits. Our free GPA calculator does both: the 4.0 scale gives an unweighted GPA, and the 5.0 scale gives a weighted one.
Unweighted GPA = total grade points ÷ total credits, with A = 4, B = 3, C = 2, D = 1, F = 0. Weighted GPA uses the same formula, but each grade gets a bonus for honors (+0.5) or AP/IB (+1.0). The exact bonus is set by your school, so check your school's policy.
📑 Table of Contents
Weighted vs unweighted: the difference
| Unweighted GPA | Weighted GPA | |
|---|---|---|
| Scale | 0 to 4.0 | Usually 0 to 5.0 (some schools use 4.5 or 6.0) |
| Course difficulty counted? | No | Yes: honors, AP and IB earn bonus points |
| An A in an AP class | 4.0 | 5.0 (commonly) |
| Can it exceed 4.0? | No | Yes |
| Best for | Comparing grades on equal terms | Showing the effort of a harder schedule |
The two numbers describe the same report card. A student with all A's in regular classes has a 4.0 unweighted and a 4.0 weighted GPA. A student with all A's in AP classes has a 4.0 unweighted and a 5.0 weighted GPA.
Grade point tables
Here are the points most schools use. Your school's table can differ, especially for the plus/minus grades, so use the one in your handbook if you have it.
| Letter grade | Percent | Unweighted | Honors (+0.5) | AP / IB (+1.0) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | 90-100 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 5.0 |
| B | 80-89 | 3.0 | 3.5 | 4.0 |
| C | 70-79 | 2.0 | 2.5 | 3.0 |
| D | 60-69 | 1.0 | 1.5 | 2.0 |
| F | Below 60 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
With plus and minus grades, a common unweighted scale is A+ and 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. Many schools do not give bonus points for an F, so a failed AP class still counts as 0.
How to calculate an unweighted GPA
Convert each grade to points
A = 4, B = 3, C = 2, D = 1, F = 0, ignoring whether the class is regular, honors or AP.
Multiply by credits
If every class is worth the same credit, you can skip this step and simply average the points.
Add and divide
Unweighted GPA = total grade points ÷ total credits.
How to calculate a weighted GPA
The formula is the same. The only change is step 1: add the course bonus to the grade points before you multiply.
Weighted GPA = Σ (grade points + course bonus) × credits ÷ Σ credits
Example: a B (3.0) in an AP course with a +1.0 bonus counts as 4.0. An A (4.0) in an honors course with a +0.5 bonus counts as 4.5.
Worked example: same grades, two GPAs
A student takes six one-credit classes in one year:
| Course | Type | Grade | Unweighted points | Weighted points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English | Regular | A | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Algebra II | Regular | B | 3.0 | 3.0 |
| Chemistry | Honors | A | 4.0 | 4.5 |
| US History | AP | B | 3.0 | 4.0 |
| Spanish | Regular | A | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Physical Education | Regular | A | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Total | 22.0 | 23.5 |
- Unweighted GPA: 22.0 ÷ 6 = 3.67
- Weighted GPA: 23.5 ÷ 6 = 3.92
The extra 0.25 comes from the honors and AP bonuses: (0.5 + 1.0) ÷ 6 classes.
Credit hours and cumulative GPA
When classes carry different credits, as in college, multiply each grade's points by its credits first. A 4-credit class then counts more than a 2-credit one.
| Course | Grade | Points | Credits | Points × credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology | A | 4.0 | 3 | 12.0 |
| Calculus | B | 3.0 | 4 | 12.0 |
| Economics | C | 2.0 | 3 | 6.0 |
| Writing | A | 4.0 | 2 | 8.0 |
| Total | 12 | 38.0 |
GPA = 38.0 ÷ 12 = 3.17.
To combine semesters into a cumulative GPA, do not average the two GPAs. Weight each by its credits. If semester one is 15 credits at 3.40 and semester two is 16 credits at 3.80, the cumulative GPA is (15 × 3.40 + 16 × 3.80) ÷ 31 = 111.8 ÷ 31 = 3.61. A simple average would give 3.60, which is slightly off.
Which GPA do colleges use?
It depends on the college. Some read the GPA printed on your transcript, some recalculate their own, and many look at the course list to see how hard your classes were. A weighted GPA shows you took demanding classes, while an unweighted GPA lets an admissions office compare students from schools with different weighting rules. Because policies differ, check the admissions page of each college you are applying to. For scholarships and honor rolls, follow the definition in the rules.
How to use the calculator
Pick the scale
Choose the 4.0 scale for an unweighted GPA, or the 5.0 scale for a weighted GPA.
Add your courses
Enter each course's grade and credit hours.
Read your GPA
You get a breakdown table so you can check every course.
Note: the 5.0 scale on our calculator adds one full point to every passing grade, which matches the AP/IB bonus at many schools. If your school gives honors only +0.5, use the grade point table above to check the result.
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
Weighted and unweighted GPA use the same formula, grade points times credits divided by total credits, and differ only in the bonus for harder classes. To check your own numbers, enter your courses in the GPA calculator.
This guide is general information. Grade scales, bonus points and GPA rules differ by school and college, so follow your own school's policy.