What’s the Difference Between Weighted and Unweighted GPA?

What Are Weighted and Unweighted GPAs?

Your GPA (Grade Point Average) shows your academic performance, but there are two types: weighted and unweighted. Knowing the difference helps you track your progress and prepare for college. Let’s dive in.

Unweighted GPA Explained

An unweighted GPA uses a standard 4.0 scale, where each letter grade has a fixed point value, regardless of class difficulty:

• A = 4.0
• B = 3.0
• C = 2.0
• D = 1.0
• F = 0.0

To calculate your final grade, simply add the point values of your grades and divide by the number of classes, or try using our GPA Calculator. For example: You have grades of A, B, A, C in four classes (each worth 1 credit). Your unweighted GPA is:

(4.0 + 3.0 + 4.0 + 2.0) / 4 = 3.25.

Weighted GPA Explained

A weighted GPA rewards you for taking tougher classes, like honors, Advanced Placement (AP), or International Baccalaureate (IB). These classes use a 5.0 scale (or sometimes 4.5 for honors):

• A in AP/IB = 5.0
• B in AP/IB = 4.0
• C in AP/IB = 3.0
• A in regular = 4.0 (same as unweighted).

To calculate your final grade, add each grade (remember to add the weighted point values for each weighted class) and divide by the number of classes. Sometimes, students forget to add the weighted point values while calculating, making their numbers go off. To avoid that, try using our GPA Calculator, simply turn it to weighted mode, input your grades, and set the weights accordingly. For example: You have an A in an AP class, B in a regular class, A in a regular class, C in a regular class. Your weighted GPA is:

(5.0 + 3.0 + 4.0 + 2.0) / 4 = 3.5.

Key Differences between Unweighted and Weighted Grades

• Class Difficulty: Unweighted GPA treats all classes the same; weighted GPA gives extra points for honors/AP/IB.
• Scale: Unweighted uses 4.0 max; weighted can go up to 5.0 (or higher in some schools).
• College Applications: Unweighted shows overall performance; weighted shows your willingness to challenge yourself.

Which Matters More for College?

Colleges look at both:

• Unweighted GPA: Shows consistency across all classes.
• Weighted GPA: Highlights your effort in rigorous courses.
  Some colleges recalculate GPA using their own system, so check their requirements. A strong unweighted GPA (e.g., 3.5+) with a few AP classes often looks better than a high weighted GPA with many low grades.

How to Calculate Your GPA

Use our High School GPA Calculator to calculate both weighted and unweighted GPA. Check out our guide on How to Calculate Your High School Grades for more details.

Weighted GPA gives extra points for harder classes, while unweighted GPA uses a standard 4.0 scale. Calculate yours with our High School GPA Calculator at Grade-Calculator.io, and share your thoughts in the comments!