WeightedGPAGuide
Weighted vs. Unweighted GPA
Same grades, two different numbers. Here's what each GPA means and which one colleges actually look at.
The short answer
An unweighted GPA uses a 0–4.0 scale where every class counts the same. A weighted GPA gives extra points for Honors, AP and IB classes, so it usually runs from 0 to 5.0.
| Unweighted | Weighted | |
|---|---|---|
| Scale | 0–4.0 | 0–5.0 (usually) |
| A in AP class | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| A in Honors class | 4.0 | 4.5 |
| A in regular class | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Shows | Your grades | Grades + class difficulty |
An example
Maya takes AP Chemistry (B), Honors English (A) and regular History (A).
- Unweighted: (3.0 + 4.0 + 4.0) ÷ 3 = 3.67
- Weighted: (4.0 + 4.5 + 4.0) ÷ 3 = 4.17
Which one do colleges use?
Many colleges recalculate every applicant's GPA with their own formula — often unweighted, core classes only — so they can compare students from different schools. But they also read your transcript, so the difficulty of your classes still counts.
The best strategy: take the hardest classes you can do well in. That raises your weighted GPA and impresses admissions even when they unweight it.
Calculate both
The weighted GPA calculator shows both numbers at once. For just the 4.0 number, use the unweighted GPA calculator.
Skip the math.
Open the weighted GPA calculatorFrequently asked questions
+Which is more important, weighted or unweighted GPA?
Neither on its own. Colleges look at your unweighted grades together with how hard your classes were — which is exactly what a weighted GPA tries to capture.
+Is a 4.0 weighted the same as a 4.0 unweighted?
No. A 4.0 unweighted means straight A's. A 4.0 weighted could mean mostly B's in AP classes.
+Why is my weighted GPA lower than I expected?
Some schools only weight certain grades or years, or cap the bonus. Check your school's handbook.