An unweighted GPA treats every class the same, on a scale that tops out at 4.0. A weighted GPA gives extra points for harder classes such as honors, AP and IB, so it can go above 4.0. Most high schools report one or both on your transcript.
Unweighted GPA
Each letter grade is worth a set number of grade points:
| A+ / A | A- | B+ | B | B- | C+ | C | C- | D+ | D | D- | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.0 | 3.7 | 3.3 | 3.0 | 2.7 | 2.3 | 2.0 | 1.7 | 1.3 | 1.0 | 0.7 | 0 |
Your GPA is the average of those points, weighted by each class’s credits:
GPA = Σ (grade points × credits) ÷ Σ credits
Weighted GPA
Weighted GPA adds a bonus to the grade points of harder classes. The most common bonuses are:
- Honors: +0.5
- AP and IB: +1.0
So an A in an AP class counts as 5.0 instead of 4.0, and a B+ in honors counts as 3.8. Schools set their own bonuses, and many give no bonus for a failing grade.
Worked example
Four one-credit classes:
| Class | Grade | Points | Bonus | Weighted points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English | A | 4.0 | none | 4.0 |
| AP Biology | B+ | 3.3 | +1.0 | 4.3 |
| Honors Algebra II | A- | 3.7 | +0.5 | 4.2 |
| History | B | 3.0 | none | 3.0 |
- Unweighted GPA: (4.0 + 3.3 + 3.7 + 3.0) ÷ 4 = 3.50
- Weighted GPA: (4.0 + 4.3 + 4.2 + 3.0) ÷ 4 = 3.88
Try your own classes in the GPA calculator.
Credits matter
Classes with more credits count more. A two-credit lab science with a B pulls your GPA down twice as much as a one-credit B elective. Colleges usually count credit hours, so a 4-credit class carries more weight than a 1-credit seminar.
Which GPA should you use?
- On applications: report the GPA on your transcript, as your school calculates it.
- For scholarships: check the scholarship’s rules. Some ask for unweighted GPA specifically.
- Colleges: many recalculate GPA their own way, for example counting only core academic classes. A weighted GPA helps show you took a harder schedule, but admissions officers also look at the classes themselves.
Common questions
Can an unweighted GPA be above 4.0? Not on the standard scale. If an A+ counts as 4.3 at your school, it can be slightly higher.
Does a weighted GPA always beat an unweighted one? Only if you take honors or AP classes. With none, the two are the same.
Should I take an AP class for the GPA bonus? A B in an AP class (4.0 weighted) can count the same as an A in a regular class. But a low grade in a hard class still hurts your unweighted GPA, so pick classes you can do well in.