Weighted GPA Calculator
Calculate both your weighted and unweighted GPA based on course levels like Honors, AP, IB, and Dual Enrollment. See how advanced courses boost your GPA.
Weighted GPA Calculator
Calculate your weighted and unweighted GPA based on course levels like Honors, AP, IB, and Dual Enrollment.
Get Started
- Step 1: Add your courses with grades and credit hours
- Step 2: Select the course level (Regular, Honors, AP, IB, etc.)
- Step 3: See both weighted and unweighted GPA calculations
Common Weight Boosts
Weighted GPA = (Grade Points + Boost) x Credits / Total Credits
Understanding Weighted GPA Calculations
What is Weighted GPA?
A weighted GPA accounts for the difficulty of your courses by adding extra points for advanced classes like Honors, AP (Advanced Placement), IB (International Baccalaureate), and Dual Enrollment courses. This gives students who take challenging coursework credit for their academic rigor.
Course Level Weight Boosts
Different schools use different weighting systems. The two most common are:
Standard System (+0.5/+1.0)
- Regular: +0.0
- Honors: +0.5
- AP/IB-HL/Dual Enrollment: +1.0
- IB-SL: +0.5
Alternative System (+1.0/+2.0)
- Regular: +0.0
- Honors/IB-SL: +1.0
- AP/IB-HL/Dual Enrollment: +2.0
Step-by-Step Example
Scenario: Student with 3 courses
- English (Regular): A (4.0) x 3 credits = 12.0 quality points
- Math (Honors): A (4.0 + 0.5 = 4.5) x 3 credits = 13.5 quality points
- Science (AP): B (3.0 + 1.0 = 4.0) x 4 credits = 16.0 quality points
Unweighted: (12 + 12 + 12) / 10 = 3.60 GPA
Weighted: (12 + 13.5 + 16) / 10 = 4.15 GPA
The weight boost adds +0.55 to this student's GPA!
Why Do Colleges Care About Both?
Unweighted GPA
Shows your raw academic performance regardless of course difficulty. Useful for comparing students across different schools with different weighting policies.
Weighted GPA
Shows your performance accounting for course rigor. Helps colleges see that you challenged yourself academically and succeeded in difficult classes.
Course Level Definitions
AP (Advanced Placement)
College-level courses offered by the College Board. Students can earn college credit by passing the AP exam at the end of the year.
IB (International Baccalaureate)
Rigorous international curriculum. IB courses are divided into Higher Level (HL) and Standard Level (SL), with HL receiving more weight.
Honors
Advanced high school courses that cover material in more depth and at a faster pace than regular classes.
Dual Enrollment
Courses taken at a local college while still in high school. Students earn both high school and college credit simultaneously.
Important Limitations
This calculator provides an estimate based on common weighting systems. Actual weighted GPA may differ due to:
- Different weighting policies at your specific school
- Some schools cap weighted GPA at a maximum value
- Different letter grade to point conversions
- Plus/minus grading variations
- Some schools weight courses differently than shown here
Always verify your school's specific GPA calculation method with your guidance counselor or registrar.
Frequently Asked Questions
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