How to Calculate High School GPA (Weighted & Unweighted)
Learning how to calculate high school GPA is one of the most useful skills for students planning for college. Your high school GPA can be calculated in two ways: unweighted, which uses the standard 4.0 scale for every class, or weighted, which gives extra points for tougher courses like Honors and AP classes. This guide explains both methods step by step, with a worked example you can follow.
Quick answer: Unweighted high school GPA is total grade points ÷ total credits on a 4.0 scale. Weighted GPA adds a bump for harder classes, commonly 0.5 for Honors and 1.0 for AP, though schools differ.
Weighted vs. Unweighted High School GPA
Before you start calculating, you need to know which type of GPA you are working with:
- Unweighted GPA uses the same 4.0 scale for every class, no matter how difficult it is. An A is worth 4.0 whether the class is regular, Honors, or AP.
- Weighted GPA adds bonus points for harder classes, so an A in AP Calculus is worth more than an A in regular English. Weighted GPA is usually calculated on a 5.0 scale.
How to Calculate Unweighted GPA
Unweighted GPA uses the standard 4.0 scale. First, convert each letter grade to a grade point using the table below, then add up all the points and divide by the number of classes.
| Letter Grade | Grade Points | Letter Grade | Grade Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| A (93–100) | 4.0 | C (73–76) | 2.0 |
| A− (90–92) | 3.7 | C− (70–72) | 1.7 |
| B+ (87–89) | 3.3 | D+ (67–69) | 1.3 |
| B (83–86) | 3.0 | D (63–66) | 1.0 |
| B− (80–82) | 2.7 | F (below 63) | 0.0 |
| C+ (77–79) | 2.3 |
Unweighted GPA formula: (sum of all grade points) ÷ (number of classes)
How to Calculate Weighted GPA
Weighted GPA rewards you for taking challenging courses. The most common system works like this:
- Regular classes: no bonus (A = 4.0)
- Honors classes: +0.5 bonus (A = 4.5)
- AP or IB classes: +1.0 bonus (A = 5.0)
For example, an A in an AP class is worth 5.0 grade points, a B in an AP class is worth 4.0, and a B in an Honors class is worth 3.5. After adding the bonus points, the formula is the same as unweighted GPA:
Weighted GPA formula: (sum of weighted grade points) ÷ (number of classes)
Worked Example: Calculating Both GPAs
Let’s calculate the GPA for a student with these five classes:
| Class | Grade | Unweighted Points | Weighted Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| English 11 (Regular) | B | 3.0 | 3.0 |
| AP Calculus AB | A | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| Honors Chemistry | B+ | 3.3 | 3.8 |
| U.S. History (Regular) | A | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| AP Spanish Language | B | 3.0 | 4.0 |
Unweighted GPA: (3.0 + 4.0 + 3.3 + 4.0 + 3.0) ÷ 5 = 17.3 ÷ 5 = 3.46
Weighted GPA: (3.0 + 5.0 + 3.8 + 4.0 + 4.0) ÷ 5 = 19.8 ÷ 5 = 3.96
Notice how the same grades produce a higher GPA on the weighted scale — the Honors and AP courses pushed it from 3.46 up to 3.96.
Tips for an Accurate GPA Calculation
- Use your school’s grading scale — some schools count A− as 3.7, others as 4.0.
- Check whether your school gives the Honors +0.5 / AP +1.0 bonus; some use different weights.
- Make sure every class counts exactly once, including electives, unless your school excludes them.
- Colleges may recalculate your GPA using their own rules, so treat your number as an estimate.
Calculate Your GPA Instantly
Doing the math by hand is great for learning, but a calculator is faster and less error-prone. Try the free High School GPA Calculator — enter your classes and grades, and get your weighted and unweighted GPA in seconds.