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Your GPA
About this high school GPA calculator
American high schools report two GPAs on your transcript, and colleges look at both. The unweighted GPA uses the classic 4.0 scale and treats every class the same. The weighted GPA adds bonus points for harder coursework — typically +1.0 for AP or IB classes and +0.5 for Honors — which is how strong students end up with GPAs like 4.3 or 4.8.
This calculator handles both at once. Enter each class with its credit value, letter grade and level (Regular, Honors, AP or IB), and you instantly get your weighted GPA on the 5.0 scale and your unweighted GPA on the 4.0 scale, computed exactly the way most U.S. school districts do it.
Use it before report cards come out to predict where you will land, before course selection to see how much an AP class can lift your average, or while filling out applications that ask you to self-report your GPA.
How weighted GPA is calculated
Start with the standard letter-to-point conversion (A = 4.0, B = 3.0 and so on). Then add the difficulty bonus: +0.5 for Honors, +1.0 for AP and IB. Multiply each class's points by its credits, add everything up and divide by total credits. Regular classes max out at 4.0, Honors at 4.5 and AP/IB at 5.0 — that is why weighted GPAs can exceed 4.0.
Example: AP Biology (1 credit, A) = 5.0 × 1 = 5.0 points. Honors English (1 credit, B+) = 3.8 × 1 = 3.8 points. Regular PE (0.5 credit, A) = 4.0 × 0.5 = 2.0 points. Weighted GPA = (5.0 + 3.8 + 2.0) ÷ 2.5 = 4.32.
Weighted GPA scale by course level
| Letter grade | Regular | Honors (+0.5) | AP / IB (+1.0) |
|---|---|---|---|
| A+ | 4.0 | 4.5 | 5.0 |
| A | 4.0 | 4.5 | 5.0 |
| A- | 3.7 | 4.2 | 4.7 |
| B+ | 3.3 | 3.8 | 4.3 |
| B | 3.0 | 3.5 | 4.0 |
| B- | 2.7 | 3.2 | 3.7 |
| C+ | 2.3 | 2.8 | 3.3 |
| C | 2.0 | 2.5 | 3.0 |
| C- | 1.7 | 2.2 | 2.7 |
| D+ | 1.3 | 1.8 | 2.3 |
| D | 1.0 | 1.5 | 2.0 |
| D- | 0.7 | 1.2 | 1.7 |
| F | 0.0 | 0.5 | 1.0 |
How to calculate your weighted high school GPA
- Add your classes: One row per class you took this semester or year. Names are optional; credits are usually 1.0 per year-long class or 0.5 per semester class.
- Set grade and course level: Pick the letter grade and mark the class as Regular, Honors, AP or IB — the level decides the bonus points.
- Read both GPAs instantly: The big number is your weighted GPA (5.0 scale). Right below it you get the unweighted 4.0-scale GPA colleges also request.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between weighted and unweighted GPA?
Unweighted GPA uses the plain 4.0 scale for every class, so it tops out at 4.0. Weighted GPA adds extra points for advanced coursework (usually +0.5 for Honors and +1.0 for AP/IB), so it can go above 4.0 — up to 5.0 for an A in an AP class. Colleges look at both: unweighted shows raw performance, weighted shows course rigor.
What is the highest possible weighted GPA?
On the most common scale the maximum is 5.0 — an A or A+ in every AP or IB class. Some districts use +0.5 instead of +1.0 for AP (capping at 4.5), and a few cap weighted grades at 4.0 or 6.0, so always check your school's student handbook. This calculator uses the widespread 4.0/4.5/5.0 model.
Is a 4.3 weighted GPA good?
Yes. A 4.3 weighted GPA means you are getting mostly A's and A-'s while taking a mix of Honors and AP classes, which puts you above the national high school average (about 3.0 unweighted). It is competitive for a wide range of four-year colleges; the most selective schools typically admit students with weighted GPAs of 4.5 or higher.
Do colleges look at weighted or unweighted GPA?
Both — and many recalculate your GPA on their own scale anyway. Unweighted GPA lets admissions officers compare students from different schools fairly, while the weighted number and your course list show how challenging your schedule was. That is why applications often ask for your class rank, course rigor and GPA separately.