How to use this calculator
This calculator has two modes. In Quick Convert mode, choose whether you want to start from a letter grade, a percentage, or a GPA value. The calculator instantly shows the equivalent values in the other two formats, along with a visual bar showing where the grade falls on the 4.0 scale.
If you want to see what a weighted GPA looks like, select Honors or AP/IB under the class type option. Honors classes add 0.5 to the base GPA and AP or IB classes add 1.0, which is the standard weighting used by most high schools.
In Cumulative GPA mode, add each of your classes with the grade you received, the number of credit hours, and whether the class was regular, honors, or AP/IB. The calculator produces both your unweighted and weighted cumulative GPA, along with a breakdown showing the quality points for each class.
Understanding weighted vs unweighted GPA
An unweighted GPA treats every class the same, regardless of difficulty. Whether you earn an A in a regular English class or an A in AP Chemistry, both count as a 4.0. The maximum unweighted GPA is always 4.0, which makes it a straightforward measure of your raw grade performance.
A weighted GPA rewards students who take on more challenging coursework. By adding 0.5 points for honors classes and 1.0 points for AP or IB classes, the scale extends beyond 4.0. This means a student earning all As in AP classes could have a weighted GPA of 5.0. The purpose is to reflect both academic achievement and the difficulty of the classes chosen.
Most schools report both numbers on your transcript. The unweighted GPA gives colleges a clean comparison across all applicants, while the weighted GPA highlights the rigor of your course selection. Neither number alone tells the full story.
How colleges use your GPA
Colleges receive transcripts from thousands of high schools, each with its own grading policies. To create a fair comparison, many admissions offices recalculate every applicant's GPA using a standardized internal formula. This means the exact GPA on your transcript may not be the number used in admissions decisions.
Selective colleges typically look at your core academic GPA, which includes only English, math, science, social studies, and foreign language courses. Electives like physical education or art may be excluded from this recalculated GPA. This is why your college application GPA can sometimes differ from the one your school reports.
Beyond the number itself, admissions officers look at the trend of your grades over time. An upward trajectory, where your GPA improves from freshman to senior year, is generally viewed favorably. Consistent performance across all four years also demonstrates strong academic habits.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between weighted and unweighted GPA?
An unweighted GPA uses a standard 4.0 scale where an A equals 4.0 regardless of class difficulty. A weighted GPA adds bonus points for harder classes: typically 0.5 for honors and 1.0 for AP or IB courses. This allows weighted GPAs to exceed 4.0 on a 5.0 scale.
How do I calculate my cumulative GPA?
Multiply each class grade point value by its credit hours to get quality points. Add all the quality points together, then divide by the total number of credit hours. For example, an A (4.0) in a 3 credit class gives 12 quality points. If your total quality points are 36 across 12 credits, your cumulative GPA is 3.0.
Do colleges prefer weighted or unweighted GPA?
Most colleges look at both. The unweighted GPA shows raw academic performance, while the weighted GPA shows whether you challenged yourself with advanced classes. Many admissions offices recalculate GPAs using their own internal scale to compare applicants fairly across different schools.
Is an A+ worth more than an A on the 4.0 scale?
On the standard 4.0 scale, both A+ and A equal 4.0. Some schools do award a 4.3 for an A+, but the widely used conversion caps the top grade at 4.0. This calculator uses the standard scale where A+ and A are both 4.0.