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!
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:
|
Course
|
Grade
|
Course Type
|
Credits
|
GPA Points
|
Quality Points
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
English
|
A
|
Regular
|
1.0
|
4.0
|
4.0 × 1.0 = 4.0
|
|
AP Calculus
|
B
|
AP
|
1.0
|
4.0
|
4.0 × 1.0 = 4.0
|
|
Honors Biology
|
A
|
Honors
|
1.0
|
4.5
|
4.5 × 1.0 = 4.5
|
|
History
|
C
|
Regular
|
1.0
|
2.0
|
2.0 × 1.0 = 2.0
|
|
Totals
|
|
|
4.0
|
|
14.5
|
Final Calculation
Total Quality Points = 14.5
Total Credits = 4.0
Weighted GPA = 14.5 ÷ 4.0 = 3.625
Your weighted GPA is 3.63 (rounded to two decimals).
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!