Weighted vs Unweighted GPA: What's the Difference?

Many high school transcripts show two GPAs. The unweighted one treats every class the same; the weighted one gives extra points for harder classes such as Honors, AP and IB. Both are "your GPA", which is why it's easy to get confused about which number to use, especially when an application asks for it. Here's how each one is calculated, why the numbers differ from school to school, and what to report.

Unweighted GPA: every class counts the same

An unweighted GPA uses one scale for every class, usually from 0 to 4.0. A common version gives 4.0 for an A, 3.0 for a B, 2.0 for a C and 1.0 for a D, with pluses and minuses in between: an A- is 3.7 and a B+ is 3.3. Add up the points for each class, multiply by the credits if your classes carry different credit values, and divide by the total. An A in PE and an A in AP Calculus are both worth 4.0.

Weighted GPA: harder classes earn extra points

A weighted GPA adds a bonus for advanced classes. Many schools add 0.5 for an Honors class and 1.0 for an AP or IB class, so an A in AP counts as 5.0 instead of 4.0. That's how Pocklit's calculator works too (with 0.5 for Dual Enrollment college classes), but policies differ, so check your school's handbook or ask your counselor.

One result surprises people: in a weighted GPA, a B in an AP class (3.0 + 1.0 = 4.0) counts the same as an A in a regular class.

A worked example

Here's one semester with five classes, each worth one credit. Each GPA is the column's total divided by five: 18.0 ÷ 5 = 3.60 unweighted, and 20.5 ÷ 5 = 4.10 weighted.

Class (grade)	Unweighted	Weighted
AP Biology (A)	4.0	5.0
Honors English (B+)	3.3	3.8
AP Calculus (B)	3.0	4.0
Spanish III (A-)	3.7	3.7
US History (A)	4.0	4.0
GPA	3.60	4.10

The grades are identical in both columns. The half point between the two GPAs comes entirely from course choice: two AP classes and one Honors class add 1.0 + 1.0 + 0.5 = 2.5 points, spread across five classes.

Calculate both at once

1. Open the Weighted GPA Calculator and choose the scale your school uses for regular classes: 4.0 or 5.0.
2. Add each class with its credits, your letter grade and its type: Standard, Honors, AP, IB or Dual Enrollment.
3. Click Calculate Weighted GPA. You'll see your weighted GPA, your unweighted GPA, the boost from advanced classes and your total credits.

The calculator runs in your browser and doesn't save anything you enter.

Why your school's number might be different

• Different bonuses. Some schools give Honors classes a full extra point rather than half a point, and some don't weight grades at all.
• Which classes count. Some GPAs leave out classes such as PE or electives and count only academic subjects.
• Pluses and minuses. Not every GPA gives an A- less than an A.
• Which years. A cumulative GPA usually covers all of high school so far, but some calculations use only certain grades.

The University of California shows how different a college's own GPA can be. It uses only A–G college-prep classes from the summer after 9th grade through the summer after 11th, ignores pluses and minuses, and for California residents adds one extra point per semester of an approved honors-level class, up to 8 points in total and no more than 4 in 10th grade (UC Admissions).

Which one do colleges look at?

Whichever GPA you report, colleges also see your transcript, which lists every class and grade, so they can tell an A in AP Biology from an A in a regular class. Some, like the University of California, then recalculate a GPA with their own rules so applicants from different schools can be compared on the same terms.

So neither number is "better". The unweighted GPA shows how well you did; the weighted GPA also reflects how hard your classes were. Behind both, the record that counts is the classes you took and how you did in them.

What to put on your applications

• Use the number your school calculates. Copy it from your transcript rather than working out your own, so your application matches what your school sends.
• On the Common App, if your school calculates both, the guidance Common App gives counselors is that students should report the weighted value. The GPA scale is a drop-down; if your school doesn't calculate a cumulative GPA, or uses a scale that isn't listed, choose "none" (Common App high school details sheet).
• On other applications, follow each form's instructions. Some ask you to list your classes and grades so they can calculate a GPA themselves.
• If you're unsure, ask your school counselor which GPA and scale your school reports.

Grades inside a single class, like homework 20% and exams 40%, are a different calculation. For that, see our guide to calculating your grade with weighted categories.

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between weighted and unweighted GPA?

An unweighted GPA scores every class on the same scale, usually up to 4.0. A weighted GPA adds bonus points for harder classes, often 0.5 for Honors and 1.0 for AP or IB, so it can go above 4.0.

Should I report my weighted or unweighted GPA on the Common App?

Report the GPA your school calculates. If your school calculates both, Common App's guidance for counselors says students should report the weighted value.

Do colleges recalculate your GPA?

Some do. The University of California, for example, uses only A–G classes from the summer after 9th grade through the summer after 11th, ignores pluses and minuses, and limits the extra honors points.

Is a B in an AP class worth more than an A in a regular class?

In a weighted GPA with a 1.0 AP bonus on a 4.0 scale, they count the same: 4.0 each. Your unweighted GPA, and the transcript colleges see, still show the B.