How this calculator works
The unweighted GPA treats every course alike. The weighted GPA adds a bonus to the grade points of advanced courses before averaging, so an A in a regular course and an A in an AP course are no longer equal. This calculator uses a common convention: honours adds 0.5, and AP, IB and college courses add 1.0. Schools vary in both the size of the bonus and whether they cap the weighted GPA, so treat the result as an estimate and check the school profile. Credits are included so a year-long course counts more than a half-year course.
Formula
weighted points = (grade point + course bonus) x credits. Weighted GPA = sum(weighted points) / total credits. Unweighted GPA = sum(grade point x credits) / total credits. Cumulative weighted GPA = (weighted points + prior weighted GPA x prior credits) / (total credits + prior credits). Bonuses: regular 0, honours 0.5, AP 1.0, IB 1.0, college 1.0.
Worked example
Courses of A 1 R, B+ 1 H, A- 1 AP and B 1 R give base points 4.0, 3.3, 3.7 and 3.0, an unweighted GPA of (4.0 + 3.3 + 3.7 + 3.0) / 4 = 3.50. With bonuses the weighted points are 4.0, 3.8, 4.7 and 3.0, so the weighted GPA is 15.5 / 4 = 3.875. A B+ in an honours course is worth more than an A- in a regular course on this scale.
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Frequently asked questions
Why is my weighted GPA higher than 4.0?
The 4.0 scale applies to unweighted grades. A weighted GPA can exceed 4.0 because advanced courses earn extra points, and a student with many AP courses can reach 4.5 or higher depending on the school. Colleges usually recalculate an unweighted GPA from the transcript as well.
How much is an honours or AP course worth?
There is no national rule. A common scheme adds 0.5 for honours and 1.0 for AP, IB or dual-enrolment college courses, which is what this calculator uses. Some schools add 1.0 for both, some cap the total, and some do not weight at all.
Should I include physical education or pass courses?
Use the courses your school includes in the GPA. Many schools exclude pass/fail courses and some exclude physical education or driver education. If the course has no letter grade, it usually contributes credits but no grade points.
What are prior credits?
They are the credits behind the prior weighted GPA. To combine a 3.80 weighted GPA over 30 credits with a new semester of 5 credits, enter 3.80 and 30. Entering zero reports only the new courses.