If you’ve ever wondered why your GPA doesn’t match the percentages on your transcripts, you’re not alone. Colleges use several grading systems and terms that can be confusing. This short guide explains the difference between GPA and weighted GPA and shows you how to calculate each.
What is GPA?
GPA (Grade Point Average) is a standard 4.0-scale measure of academic performance. Each course grade is converted to a point value (for example, A = 4.0, B = 3.0) and then averaged across all courses using credit hours as weights. GPA is used by colleges, advisors, and scholarship committees to compare students.
What is Weighted GPA?
A weighted GPA adjusts the standard GPA to account for course difficulty. Honors, AP, IB, and other advanced classes often add extra weight (for example, an A in an AP class might be worth 5.0 instead of 4.0). Weighted GPAs give additional credit for taking harder courses and can raise your cumulative number above 4.0 in some systems.
How to calculate regular GPA
1) Convert each letter grade to grade points (A=4.0, A-=3.7, etc.). 2) Multiply each course’s points by its credit value. 3) Sum the total grade points and divide by the total credits.
How to calculate weighted GPA
To calculate a weighted GPA, use the same steps but apply the boosted point value for advanced courses. For instance, if an AP class uses a 5.0 scale for an A, use 5.0 instead of 4.0 when computing grade points. Then average across credits as normal.
Practical tips
- Check your school’s policy — weighting rules vary by district and college.
- If you’re applying to colleges, send both weighted and unweighted GPAs if your school reports both.
- Use our GPA Forecast or the high-school GPA calculator to model scenarios.
Understanding these calculations can help you plan your course load and target grades more effectively. Try the tools on this site to see how different course mixes affect your GPA.