High School GPA Calculator
Calculate your weighted and unweighted high school GPA with support for Regular, Honors, AP, and IB courses.
Your Courses
Weighted vs Unweighted GPA
High schools report two types of GPA, and understanding the difference is crucial for college applications.
Unweighted GPA uses a standard 4.0 scale:
- Every class is treated equally
- An A in PE counts the same as an A in AP Physics
- Maximum possible: 4.0
Weighted GPA rewards challenging courses:
- Honors classes get +0.5 bonus (max 4.5)
- AP/IB classes get +1.0 bonus (max 5.0)
- Shows you challenged yourself academically
Most competitive colleges recalculate your GPA anyway, but a high weighted GPA shows you took rigorous courses—which matters a lot!
Understanding Course Types
Regular Courses Standard high school classes. An A earns 4.0 points.
Honors Courses More challenging than regular. An A earns 4.5 points (4.0 + 0.5 bonus).
AP (Advanced Placement) College-level courses with a standardized exam. An A earns 5.0 points (4.0 + 1.0 bonus). Passing the AP exam can earn college credit.
IB (International Baccalaureate) Rigorous international curriculum. An A earns 5.0 points (4.0 + 1.0 bonus). Highly respected by colleges worldwide.
How Colleges View Your GPA
Colleges don't just look at your GPA number—they consider:
1. Course Rigor Did you take the most challenging courses available? A 3.8 with 10 AP classes is often better than a 4.0 with all regular classes.
2. Grade Trends Improvement over time (upward trend) is viewed positively. A rough freshman year with strong junior/senior years shows growth.
3. School Context Colleges know some schools are harder than others. They evaluate you in context of your school's offerings.
4. Core vs Elective GPAs Some colleges focus on "core GPA" (English, Math, Science, Social Studies, Foreign Language) rather than overall GPA.
Don't sacrifice mental health for a perfect GPA. Colleges value well-rounded students with activities outside academics too.
GPA Benchmarks for College Admissions
| Weighted GPA | Competitiveness |
|---|---|
| 4.5+ | Highly competitive (Ivy League, top schools) |
| 4.0 - 4.49 | Very competitive (top 50 schools) |
| 3.5 - 3.99 | Competitive (most 4-year universities) |
| 3.0 - 3.49 | Average (state schools, less selective) |
| Below 3.0 | May need to focus on other strengths |
Remember: GPA is just one factor. Strong essays, activities, recommendations, and test scores can compensate for a lower GPA.
Strategies for Maximizing Your GPA
1. Balance Your Schedule Don't overload on AP classes if it means getting Bs. Sometimes 4 APs with As is better than 6 APs with Bs.
2. Strategic Course Selection
- Take APs in subjects you're strong in
- Use Honors as a stepping stone
- Consider prerequisites and workload
3. Freshman Year Matters Many students underestimate freshman year. Those grades stay on your transcript forever.
4. Know Your School's Weighting System Some schools use different weights. Verify how your school calculates weighted GPA.
5. Summer and Online Courses Some schools allow summer courses to replace grades or add to GPA. Check your options.
Common Questions
Q: Can I have a GPA above 4.0? Yes! With weighted GPA, taking AP/IB courses means you can exceed 4.0. Some students have weighted GPAs of 4.5 or even 5.0.
Q: Do colleges prefer weighted or unweighted? Most selective colleges recalculate on their own scale. They use your weighted GPA to see course rigor, and unweighted to compare you fairly.
Q: Should I drop an AP class to protect my GPA? It depends. A B in AP is often viewed better than an A in regular. But if you're failing, talk to your counselor about options.
Q: How do I calculate cumulative GPA across years? Add up all grade points × credits, then divide by total credits. Our calculator does this for you automatically.