⭐ Weighted GPA Calculator
Calculate Your GPA with Honors, AP & IB Course Bonuses
See how advanced courses boost your GPA for college admissions
📊 Understanding Weighted GPA for College Admissions
The weighted GPA calculator helps high school students calculate their grade point average with bonus points for Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and Honors courses in 2026. Whether you're a college-bound junior tracking your class rank, a freshman planning your course schedule, calculating scholarship eligibility, or demonstrating academic rigor to competitive universities, this tool provides instant weighted vs unweighted GPA comparisons on both 4.0 and 5.0 scales, shows how AP/IB/Honors bonuses boost your GPA, and helps you understand the true impact of taking challenging courses on your college admissions profile.
📝 How to Use the Weighted GPA Calculator
- Add your courses: Click "+ Add Course" to create rows for each class on your transcript. The calculator starts with 6 example courses (mix of AP, Honors, and Regular), but you can add or remove courses to match your actual schedule.
- Enter course names: Type in each course name (e.g., "AP Calculus BC", "Honors Chemistry") to keep track of which classes contribute to your weighted GPA. This helps organize your results especially if you're calculating multiple semesters.
- Select letter grades: Choose your final grade for each course from the dropdown. The calculator uses standard letter grades (A+ through F) and automatically converts them to the appropriate point values for each course type.
- Choose course type: Select whether each course is Regular (+0.0), Honors (+0.5), AP (+1.0), or IB (+1.0). This is critical—the type determines the bonus points added to your base grade for weighted GPA calculation.
- Input credit hours: Enter the number of credits for each course (typically 1.0 for full-year courses, 0.5 for semester courses). Credit hours weight how much each course impacts your overall GPA.
- Calculate both GPAs: Click "⭐ Calculate Weighted GPA" to see your weighted GPA (up to 5.0 scale), unweighted GPA (4.0 scale), the exact boost from course rigor, and a detailed breakdown of how each course contributes.
Weighted GPA Calculator Tool
📊 Course Weighting System
Regular
Honors
AP
IB
📋 Course Breakdown
| Course | Grade | Type | Unweighted | Weighted |
|---|
What is Weighted GPA?
Weighted GPA is a grade point average that gives extra points for more challenging courses like Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and Honors classes. Unlike unweighted GPA which maxes out at 4.0, weighted GPA can go up to 5.0 (or higher in some systems), rewarding students who take rigorous coursework.
📊 Unweighted GPA
All courses treated equally
⭐ Weighted GPA
Extra points for AP/IB/Honors
📖 Common Weighting Systems
| Course Type | Standard Weight | Example (A grade) |
|---|---|---|
| Regular/College Prep | +0.0 | A = 4.0 |
| Honors / Pre-AP | +0.5 | A = 4.5 |
| AP (Advanced Placement) | +1.0 | A = 5.0 |
| IB (International Baccalaureate) | +1.0 | A = 5.0 |
| Dual Enrollment | +0.5 to +1.0 | Varies by school |
Grade Point Values by Course Type
| Letter | Regular | Honors (+0.5) | AP/IB (+1.0) |
|---|---|---|---|
| A+ | 4.0 | 4.5 | 5.0 |
| A | 4.0 | 4.5 | 5.0 |
| A- | 3.7 | 4.2 | 4.7 |
| B+ | 3.3 | 3.8 | 4.3 |
| B | 3.0 | 3.5 | 4.0 |
| B- | 2.7 | 3.2 | 3.7 |
| C+ | 2.3 | 2.8 | 3.3 |
| C | 2.0 | 2.5 | 3.0 |
| C- | 1.7 | 2.2 | 2.7 |
| D | 1.0 | 1.5 | 2.0 |
| F | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Weighted GPA Formula
Basic Weighted GPA Formula
Where Weighted Grade Equals
Course Type Bonuses
Example Calculation
📝 Sample Weighted GPA Calculation
| Course | Grade | Type | Unw. | Bonus | Weighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP Calculus | A | AP | 4.0 | +1.0 | 5.0 |
| Honors English | A- | Honors | 3.7 | +0.5 | 4.2 |
| AP History | B+ | AP | 3.3 | +1.0 | 4.3 |
| Biology | A | Regular | 4.0 | +0.0 | 4.0 |
| Spanish II | A | Regular | 4.0 | +0.0 | 4.0 |
| Average | — | — | 3.80 | — | 4.30 |
GPA Boost: +0.50 from taking AP and Honors courses!
📊 Weighted GPA Calculation Examples
Example 1: Valedictorian Track - Sarah
Scenario: Sarah is a junior at a competitive high school taking a rigorous course load of 4 APs, 1 Honors, and 2 Regular classes. She wants to calculate her weighted GPA to see if she's on track for valedictorian.
Junior Year Courses:
- AP Calculus BC (1.0 credit) - A (4.0) → Weighted: 5.0
- AP Chemistry (1.0 credit) - A- (3.7) → Weighted: 4.7
- AP US History (1.0 credit) - A (4.0) → Weighted: 5.0
- AP English Language (1.0 credit) - A (4.0) → Weighted: 5.0
- Honors Spanish IV (1.0 credit) - A (4.0) → Weighted: 4.5
- Computer Science (1.0 credit) - A (4.0) → Weighted: 4.0
- Physical Education (0.5 credit) - A (4.0) → Weighted: 4.0
Calculation:
Unweighted: (4.0 + 3.7 + 4.0 + 4.0 + 4.0 + 4.0 + 4.0×0.5) / 6.5 = 25.7 / 6.5 = 3.95
Weighted: (5.0 + 4.7 + 5.0 + 5.0 + 4.5 + 4.0 + 4.0×0.5) / 6.5 = 30.2 / 6.5 = 4.65
Result: Sarah's 4.65 weighted GPA (with +0.70 boost from AP/Honors) puts her in strong contention for valedictorian. Her course rigor (4 APs + 1 Honors = 77% advanced) demonstrates the academic challenge colleges value.
Example 2: Competitive College Path - Marcus
Scenario: Marcus is a sophomore balancing challenging courses with maintaining high grades. He's taking 2 APs, 2 Honors, and 3 Regular classes to build his weighted GPA without overextending himself.
Sophomore Year Courses:
- AP World History (1.0 credit) - B+ (3.3) → Weighted: 4.3
- AP Biology (1.0 credit) - B (3.0) → Weighted: 4.0
- Honors Algebra II (1.0 credit) - A (4.0) → Weighted: 4.5
- Honors English (1.0 credit) - A- (3.7) → Weighted: 4.2
- French II (1.0 credit) - A (4.0) → Weighted: 4.0
- Chemistry (1.0 credit) - B+ (3.3) → Weighted: 3.3
- Art (1.0 credit) - A (4.0) → Weighted: 4.0
Calculation:
Unweighted: (3.3 + 3.0 + 4.0 + 3.7 + 4.0 + 3.3 + 4.0) / 7 = 25.3 / 7 = 3.61
Weighted: (4.3 + 4.0 + 4.5 + 4.2 + 4.0 + 3.3 + 4.0) / 7 = 28.3 / 7 = 4.04
Result: Marcus's strategic approach yields a respectable 4.04 weighted GPA (unweighted 3.61) with a +0.43 boost. His B in AP Bio (weighted to 4.0) equals an A in regular classes, showing colleges he took the challenge.
Example 3: Course Selection Dilemma - Aisha
Scenario: Aisha is choosing between two different course loads for senior year. She wants to compare how each would affect her weighted GPA to make an informed decision.
Option A (Maximum AP Load):
- 5 AP courses with predicted grades: 3 A's, 1 B+, 1 B
- 1 Regular PE: A
- Calculation: Weighted GPA = (5.0×3 + 4.3 + 4.0 + 4.0) / 6 = 4.55
Option B (Balanced Rigor):
- 3 AP courses with predicted grades: all A's
- 2 Honors courses: both A's
- 1 Regular PE: A
- Calculation: Weighted GPA = (5.0×3 + 4.5×2 + 4.0) / 6 = 4.67
Decision: Option B yields a HIGHER weighted GPA (4.67 vs 4.55) with less stress! Taking 3 APs with A's beats 5 APs with mixed grades. Quality over quantity wins—both for GPA and for college admissions officers who value sustained excellence.
💡 Important Tips for Maximizing Weighted GPA
Strategic Weighted GPA Management
- Calculate before committing: Use this calculator BEFORE finalizing your course schedule each year. Model different scenarios with realistic grade predictions to see which combination of AP/Honors courses maximizes your weighted GPA without overloading yourself.
- Understand the math: A B (3.0) in an AP class becomes 4.0 weighted—equal to an A in a Regular class. But a C in AP (3.0 weighted) is worse than an A in Regular (4.0). Never take an AP if you'll likely get below a B.
- School-specific weighting: Your school may use +1.0/+2.0 bonuses instead of +0.5/+1.0, or a 6.0 scale instead of 5.0. Some schools weight Dual Enrollment differently than AP. ALWAYS verify your school's exact system with your counselor.
- Colleges recalculate anyway: Most universities strip out your weighted GPA and recalculate using ONLY core academic courses (no PE, Art, etc.) with their own weighting system. However, they absolutely notice course rigor—taking APs still matters even if they recalculate differently.
- Strategic junior year: Junior year GPA has the most impact on college apps since you apply in fall of senior year before senior grades are final. Load your hardest APs into junior year IF you can maintain high grades. A 4.5 weighted junior GPA with 5 APs beats a 4.2 senior year that colleges barely see.
- Don't sacrifice core subjects: Taking AP Spanish when you're failing AP Calculus is backwards. Colleges value rigor in core subjects (Math, English, Science, History) more than electives. An A in AP Calc beats an A in AP Psychology for engineering schools.
- Class rank matters more than you think: For state flagships with auto-admit programs (Texas Top 6%, California ELC, etc.), class rank based on weighted GPA can guarantee admission. A 4.3 ranked #15 at a competitive school might beat a 4.5 ranked #3 at an easier school.
- Balance is key: Students who take 6 APs junior year and burn out with 3.2 GPAs look worse than students who take 4 APs with 4.0s. Admissions officers can spot "AP overload" that backfired. Sustainable excellence beats flash-in-the-pan rigor.
🔗 Related Calculators
Uses of Weighted GPA
🎓 College Admissions
- Course Rigor: Shows you challenged yourself
- Competitive Edge: 4.3 weighted beats 4.0 unweighted
- Top Schools: Expect 4.0+ weighted GPAs
- Holistic Review: Context with your school's offerings
🏆 Class Rank
- Valedictorian: Highest weighted GPA
- Salutatorian: Second highest weighted
- Top 10%: Often uses weighted GPA
- Auto-Admit: Some states use rank for college
💰 Scholarships
- Merit Scholarships: Often use weighted GPA
- Full Rides: Look for 4.0+ weighted
- Academic Honors: Based on weighted in some schools
- HOPE/ZELL: State scholarships may use weighted
📊 Comparing Students
- Fair Comparison: Level playing field for rigor
- Incentive: Rewards taking harder classes
- College Prep: Shows readiness for college work
- AP Scores: Often correlate with weighted GPA
How to Calculate Weighted GPA
- List all your courses with their grades and course types (Regular, Honors, AP, or IB).
- Convert grades to base points using the standard 4.0 scale (A=4.0, B=3.0, C=2.0).
- Add the weight bonus for each course type: +0.5 for Honors, +1.0 for AP/IB.
- Multiply weighted grades by credit hours for each course.
- Divide total weighted points by total credits for your weighted GPA.
Impact of AP/Honors on Your GPA
| Scenario | Unweighted | Weighted | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All A's in Regular | 4.00 | 4.00 | +0.00 |
| All A's in Honors | 4.00 | 4.50 | +0.50 |
| All A's in AP/IB | 4.00 | 5.00 | +1.00 |
| B in AP = A in Regular | 3.00 vs 4.00 | 4.00 = 4.00 | Equivalent! |
Official Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
No! Weighting varies significantly. Some schools use +0.5/+1.0, others use +1.0/+2.0, and some have 6.0 or 10.0 scales. Colleges understand this and evaluate your GPA in context of your school's specific system. Check with your counselor for your school's policy.
Colleges look at both! They often recalculate your GPA using their own formula. However, they strongly value course rigor—a 3.5 unweighted with lots of APs can be more impressive than a 4.0 with only regular classes.
Mathematically, they're often equal: A in Regular = 4.0, B in AP = 4.0 weighted. However, colleges generally prefer the AP B because it shows you challenged yourself. A C in AP, though, may hurt you more than an A in Regular.
Quality over quantity! Take APs in subjects you're interested in and can do well in. For top colleges, 8-12 APs over 4 years is typical. But 5 APs with all A's beats 10 APs with B's and C's. Balance rigor with performance.
Usually yes—most high schools calculate class rank using weighted GPA. This incentivizes students to take harder classes. Valedictorian and salutatorian typically have the highest weighted GPAs. Some schools no longer report rank due to competitiveness concerns.
In most schools, yes—both get +1.0 bonus. However, IB has different levels (Higher Level vs Standard Level), and some schools only give the full bonus to HL courses. Both are considered college-level work and equally rigorous.
Policies vary by school. If your school approves the online AP course and it appears on your transcript, it typically receives the same weighting as in-person AP classes. Check with your counselor before enrolling.
On a 5.0 scale (most common), the max is 5.0 if all your classes are AP/IB and you get all A's. Some schools use 6.0 scales (+2.0 for AP) or even higher. There's no universal maximum—it depends on your school's system.
It depends on your school. Some include all courses; others use only "core" academic classes (English, Math, Science, Social Studies, Foreign Language). Colleges often recalculate using core courses only. Check your school's policy.
Yes, if your school uses a different scale! Some schools give +2.0 for AP (making max 6.0) or use 10-point or 100-point scales. A few ultra-competitive schools have students with 5.0+ even on a 5.0 scale if they offer extra credit or special courses.
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Last Updated: January 2026