Weighted vs Unweighted GPA Calculator
Compare your unweighted GPA with the weighted version that adds honors and AP bonus points, side by side.
How it works
unweighted = Σ(base points) ÷ courses · weighted = Σ(base points + honors/AP bonus) ÷ courses · bonus: honors +0.5, AP/IB +1.0
An unweighted GPA caps every course at 4.0 regardless of difficulty, so an A is a 4.0 whether it came from a study hall or an AP class. A weighted GPA rewards rigour by adding bonus points — commonly +0.5 for honors and +1.0 for AP or IB — which can push the average above 4.0. Colleges see both, and many recalculate to their own scale, so knowing the gap helps you read how your transcript will be judged.
Worked example
Five courses — an A in AP (4.0 base, 5.0 weighted), an A in honors (4.0 / 4.5), a B regular (3.0 / 3.0), an A regular (4.0 / 4.0) and a B honors (3.0 / 3.5) — average to an unweighted 3.60 and a weighted 4.00, a 0.40 boost from the honors and AP bonuses.
Frequently asked questions
Which GPA do colleges actually use?
It varies. Many recalculate applicants onto their own scale — sometimes stripping weighting, sometimes applying their own bonuses — precisely so students from different schools can be compared fairly. Report both, and know your school’s official figure.
How much bonus do honors and AP courses get?
The most common convention is +0.5 for honors and +1.0 for AP or IB, which is what this tool uses. Some schools use +1.0 for honors too, or weight differently — check your school’s policy if the exact number matters.
Can a weighted GPA go above 4.0?
Yes. That is the whole point of weighting: a student taking mostly AP courses and earning As can exceed 4.0, which an unweighted GPA can never do. This tool caps any single weighted course at 5.0.
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This calculator is for educational purposes. Double-check important results before acting on them.