Weighted GPA calculator
Calculate a weighted GPA that gives extra points for AP, honors and IB courses.
Weighted GPA
Weighted vs unweighted GPA
An unweighted GPA caps every course at 4.0, so an A in regular English and an A in AP Calculus look identical. A weighted GPA adds a bonus to harder courses — commonly +1.0 for AP and IB and +0.5 for honors — so a rigorous transcript can exceed 4.0. Pick the course type per row and the dial reflects the bonus.
How the weighting works
Each course starts from its unweighted grade point, then a bonus is added before averaging:
- Regular: A = 4.0, B = 3.0, C = 2.0 (no bonus)
- Honors: +0.5 → A = 4.5
- AP / IB: +1.0 → A = 5.0
The weighted points are then credit-averaged exactly like a normal GPA.
Worked example
Four classes, all earning an A (4.0 base):
- AP Calculus — 1 credit, A → 5.0
- Honors Chemistry — 1 credit, A → 4.5
- AP US History — 1 credit, A → 5.0
- Regular English — 1 credit, A → 4.0
Weighted GPA = (5.0 + 4.5 + 5.0 + 4.0) ÷ 4 = 4.63. The same straight-A transcript would be a flat 4.0 unweighted — the 0.63 difference is the reward for course rigor.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming every school uses the same bonus. Some add +1.0 for honors, some scale to 5.0 or 6.0 — check your school's policy.
- Reporting weighted GPA where unweighted is expected. Many college applications recalculate to an unweighted 4.0 scale, so know which one a form is asking for.
- Tagging a regular course as honors to inflate the number — only the official course designation counts.