Weighted vs unweighted GPA
Unweighted GPA uses the same 4.0 scale for every class: an A is 4.0 in a regular class and in an AP class. Weighted GPA adds bonus points for harder classes. A common convention, used by this site's calculator, is +0.5 for honors and +1.0 for AP/IB, so an A in AP counts as 5.0. Schools set their own bonuses and some cap or ignore weighting, and many colleges recalculate GPA their own way.
Formulas
Unweighted GPA = Σ(points × credits) / Σ credits
Weighted GPA = Σ((points + bonus) × credits) / Σ credits
Example
| Class | Type | Grade | Unweighted | Weighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP Biology | AP (+1.0) | B+ | 3.3 | 4.3 |
| Honors English | Honors (+0.5) | A- | 3.7 | 4.2 |
| Algebra II | Regular | B | 3.0 | 3.0 |
All three are 1 credit. Unweighted: (3.3+3.7+3.0)/3 = 3.33. Weighted: (4.3+4.2+3.0)/3 = 3.83.