How to Calculate Weighted GPA: Step-by-Step Guide

Weighted GPA accounts for course difficulty by assigning higher point values to advanced classes (e.g., honors, AP, IB) compared to regular ones. Here’s how to calculate it manually—or use a tool like this GPA Calculator to speed things up!

New to the term? Our guide to what a GPA is covers the basics, including how weighted and unweighted GPAs differ.

What You’ll Need

Grades: Your letter grades or percentages for each class.
Credits: The credit hours (or weight) for each class—usually 1.0 per semester-long course.
Grade Scale: Your school’s GPA scale, including extra points for advanced courses (e.g., A in AP = 5.0, A in regular = 4.0).

Common Weighted GPA Scale Example

Grade	Regular Course	Honors Course	AP/IB Course
A	4.0	4.5	5.0
B	3.0	3.5	4.0
C	2.0	2.5	3.0
D	1.0	1.5	2.0
F	0.0	0.0	0.0

Check your school’s specific scale, as it may vary.

How to calculate Weighted GPA

Step 1: List Your Courses, Grades, and Credits

Write down each course, your grade, and its credit hours. Note if it’s regular, honors, or AP/IB.

Step 2: Assign GPA Points

Using your school’s scale, convert each grade to its weighted GPA point value based on course type.

Step 3: Multiply Points by Credits

For each course, multiply the GPA points by the credit hours to get the “quality points.”

Step 4: Add Up Quality Points and Credits

Sum all quality points and total credit hours separately.

Step 5: Calculate Weighted GPA

Divide total quality points by total credits.

Formula: Total Quality Points ÷ Total Credits

Example Calculation

Let’s say you took these courses in a semester:

Worked example: weighted GPA for four classes with AP and Honors boosts
Course	Grade	Level		Weighted points		Credits		Quality points
English	A	Regular	→	4.0	×	1	=	4.0
AP Calculus	B	AP +1	→	4.0	×	1	=	4.0
Honors Biology	A	Honors +0.5	→	4.5	×	1	=	4.5
History	C	Regular	→	2.0	×	1	=	2.0
Total quality points 14.5 Credits counted 4 Weighted GPA 3.63 Unweighted GPA, same grades without the level boost: 13.0 ÷ 4 = 3.25

Tips for Weighted Grade Accuracy

Double-Check Scale: Confirm your school’s weighted values—some may cap AP at 4.5 or use different boosts.
Include All Courses: Don’t skip any that count toward your GPA.
Adjust for Credit Variations: If a course is worth 0.5 or 2.0 credits, adjust accordingly.

Got your grades handy? Plug them into the College GPA Calculator or High School GPA Calculator calculate manually to find your weighted GPA!