Weighted Grade Calculator
Calculate your high school weighted GPA with automatic grade boosts for Honors (+0.5) and AP/IB (+1.0) courses. See your weighted and unweighted GPA side-by-side with a full per-course breakdown.
Weighted GPA is the standard metric at most US high schools. Unlike unweighted GPA — where every A earns 4.0 regardless of course level — weighted GPA gives extra credit for enrolling in advanced coursework. An A in AP Calculus is worth more than an A in a regular math class because the course carries a college-level curriculum and ends with a standardized exam.
The most common weighting convention adds +0.5 for Honors and +1.0 for AP and IB courses, meaning the highest possible grade point per course is 5.0. Under this system, weighted GPAs can and do exceed 4.0 — a student taking all AP classes with straight As would have a perfect 5.0 weighted GPA.
College admissions officers are familiar with weighted GPAs. Most recalculate them using their own formulas for a level playing field, but a high weighted GPA still signals course rigor — one of the most important factors in selective admissions.
Who Should Use This Calculator
High School Students
Track your weighted GPA each semester to understand how your course choices affect your academic standing and college prospects.
College Applicants
Know your weighted GPA before submitting applications. Many scholarship forms and applications ask for your weighted GPA specifically.
AP & IB Enrollment Planners
See how adding or dropping an AP or Honors course will shift your weighted GPA before you register for next semester.
Parents & Counselors
Help students understand the real GPA impact of their course selections and set realistic goals for college admissions.
Scholarship Applicants
Verify your weighted GPA meets the minimum threshold for merit scholarships before submitting your application.
Transfer Students
Calculate how your current weighted GPA will appear on applications to new schools or dual-enrollment programs.
Grade Point Values by Course Type
Standard weighting used by most US high schools. Boost applies to each letter grade regardless of plus or minus modifier.
| Course Type | A | B | C | D | Boost Applied |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular | 4.0 | 3.0 | 2.0 | 1.0 | None |
| Honors | 4.5 | 3.5 | 2.5 | 1.5 | +0.5 |
| AP / IB | 5.0 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 2.0 | +1.0 |
Worked Example
A student taking a mix of AP, Honors, and Regular courses across one semester.
| Course | Type | Grade | Weighted Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| AP Calculus BC | AP | A (4.0) | 5.0 × 4 = 20.0 |
| Honors English Literature | Honors | B (3.0) | 3.5 × 3 = 10.5 |
| AP Biology | AP | B (3.0) | 4.0 × 4 = 16.0 |
| Regular US History | Regular | A (4.0) | 4.0 × 3 = 12.0 |
| Regular PE | Regular | B (3.0) | 3.0 × 2 = 6.0 |
4.27
(20.0 + 10.5 + 16.0 + 12.0 + 6.0) ÷ 16 total credits
3.44
(16.0 + 9.0 + 12.0 + 12.0 + 6.0) ÷ 16 total credits
The weighted GPA is 0.83 points higher, reflecting the difficulty bonus from two AP courses and one Honors course.
The Weighted GPA Formula
Weighted GPA uses the same credit-weighted formula as regular GPA, but substitutes the boosted grade point value for advanced courses:
Weighted GPA = Σ(Boosted Grade Points × Credits) ÷ Σ(Credits)
Boosted Grade Points = Base Grade Points + Course Weight
Course Weight = 0 (Regular), +0.5 (Honors), +1.0 (AP / IB)
The unweighted GPA uses the same formula but with base grade points (no boost) for every course, capped at 4.0.
Common Misconceptions
Weighted GPA is not universal
Not all schools use the +0.5 / +1.0 convention. Some districts add +1.0 for Honors, others cap the weighted scale at 4.5. Always confirm your school's actual weighting policy before reporting your GPA to colleges.
More AP classes does not always mean higher GPA
A B in an AP class (4.0 weighted) is the same weighted grade point as an A in a regular class (4.0). Taking AP courses and earning mediocre grades can actually hurt your GPA compared to earning top marks in regular classes.
Colleges often recalculate your GPA
Many colleges strip out the weighting boosts and recalculate your GPA on a 4.0 unweighted scale using only core academic courses. Your application GPA may look different from the one on your transcript.
Weighted GPA above 5.0 is possible but unusual
Some schools use more generous weighting (+1.0 for Honors, +2.0 for AP) which can push weighted GPAs above 5.0. This is rare and not recognized by most colleges, which cap their evaluation at 5.0 or 4.0.
What to Do Next
Frequently Asked Questions
Calculate your CGPA with weighted credits
Calculate semester and cumulative GPA
Calculate course grade from weighted components
Find what score you need on your final
Plan your path to your target GPA
Convert between grading scales