Weighted GPA Calculator
Add your courses below — Honors and AP/IB bonus points are already enabled. Switch 'Weighted GPA' off to compare your unweighted average.
Adds +0.5 for Honors and +1.0 for AP / IB courses.
| Grade | Credits | Course Type | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|
What Is a Weighted GPA?
A weighted GPA goes beyond the standard 4.0 scale by adding bonus points for advanced coursework. Schools that offer Honors, AP (Advanced Placement), or IB (International Baccalaureate) programmes often report a weighted GPA alongside the unweighted one so that admissions offices can assess both your grades and your course rigor.
The most common bonus scale is +0.5 for Honors and +1.0 for AP / IB. Under this system the maximum possible GPA is 5.0 (an A in every AP class), though few schools enforce a formal cap.
How the Bonus Points Work
| Course Type | Bonus | A = … | B = … | C = … |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular | +0.0 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 2.0 |
| Honors | +0.5 | 4.5 | 3.5 | 2.5 |
| AP / IB | +1.0 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 3.0 |
The Weighted GPA Formula
Weighted GPA = Σ((grade points + bonus) × credits) ÷ Σ(credits)
Each course's grade points are first increased by the course-type bonus, then multiplied by credit hours. Divide the total weighted points by the total credits to get your weighted GPA.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a weighted GPA?
A weighted GPA rewards students who take more challenging courses. On a standard 4.0 scale every course is treated equally. A weighted scale adds bonus points — typically +0.5 for Honors and +1.0 for AP or IB courses — before the average is computed. This means an A in an AP class counts as 5.0 points instead of 4.0, so your weighted GPA can exceed 4.0.
Why do colleges care about weighted GPA?
Weighted GPA helps admissions officers compare students who have taken different course loads. A student with a 3.8 weighted GPA from a rigorous AP-heavy schedule may be more competitive than a student with the same unweighted GPA who took only standard courses. Many selective colleges recalculate GPA on their own scale, so your unweighted GPA and course rigor both matter.
How much does an Honors or AP class raise my GPA?
With the +0.5 Honors bonus, an A becomes 4.5 points and a B becomes 3.5 points. With the +1.0 AP/IB bonus, an A becomes 5.0 and a B becomes 4.0. The actual impact on your overall GPA depends on how many credits the course carries relative to your total credit load.
Should I take harder courses if they might lower my unweighted GPA?
Generally yes — colleges value course rigor. A B in an AP class (3.0 unweighted, 4.0 weighted) often signals more ability than an A in a standard course. Use this calculator to model both scenarios: enter your courses with the Weighted toggle on to see your weighted GPA, then turn it off to see how the unweighted average compares.
Does this calculator support IB (International Baccalaureate) courses?
Yes. IB courses receive the same +1.0 bonus as AP courses. Select 'AP / IB (+1.0)' from the Course Type dropdown for any IB Higher Level or Standard Level course you want to include.
Can I mix regular, Honors, and AP courses in the same calculation?
Absolutely. Add as many courses as you need and choose the appropriate type for each row. The calculator applies the correct bonus to each course individually before computing the weighted average across all your credits.