Weighted vs Unweighted GPA, Explained with Numbers
Unweighted GPA caps at 4.0 and ignores course difficulty. Weighted GPA adds points for AP, IB, and Honors courses. Here is the arithmetic behind both, on the same transcript.
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Unweighted GPA counts every course on the same 4.0 GPA scale. Weighted GPA adds points for course difficulty, so an A in an Advanced Placement (AP) course outranks an A in a College Prep class. Both numbers come from the same weighted average, using credits as the weights.
The same transcript, two results
| Course | Grade | Credits | Unweighted points | Weighted points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP Biology | A | 4 | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| Honors Literature | B+ | 3 | 3.3 | 3.8 |
| Calculus | A− | 5 | 3.7 | 3.7 |
| Studio Art | B− | 2 | 2.7 | 2.7 |
| GPA across 14 credits | — | 14 | 3.56 | 3.95 |
Unweighted: (16.0 + 9.9 + 18.5 + 5.4) ÷ 14 = 3.56
Weighted: (20.0 + 11.4 + 18.5 + 5.4) ÷ 14 = 3.95
The gap of 0.39 comes entirely from two courses: +1.0 on AP Biology and +0.5 on Honors Literature.
The standard bonuses
- AP courses and IB courses add 1.0 to the grade point.
- Honors courses add 0.5.
- College Prep and regular classes add nothing.
Schools set their own scales, so confirm the bonus in your handbook before relying on a number. Some districts cap weighted GPA at 5.0, others at 4.5.
Which one colleges read
Admissions offices frequently recalculate GPA using their own scale, which is why both figures matter less than the transcript itself. A weighted GPA signals course difficulty; an unweighted GPA compares raw performance across applicants.
Calculating either one
Enter grade points in the value column and credits in the weight column of the weighted average calculator, then switch the preset to GPA. For a weighted GPA, add the bonus to the grade point before entering it.