GPA Calculator — Weighted & Unweighted (4.0 Scale)

How GPA works

GPA (grade point average) converts each letter grade to points on a 4.0 scale — an A is 4.0, a B is 3.0, and pluses and minuses move the value by about a third of a point. Each course's points are multiplied by its credit hours, summed, and divided by total credits. That's why a low grade in a 4-credit course hurts more than one in a 1-credit elective.

Weighted GPA gives extra points for harder classes — commonly +0.5 for honors and +1.0 for AP or IB courses — which is how some students report GPAs above 4.0. High schools differ on the exact bonus, and many colleges recalculate GPAs their own way, so treat the weighted figure as your school reports it, not as a universal number.

Raising your GPA

The math of averages means your GPA moves slowly once you have many credits banked — which cuts both ways. One rough semester won't sink a strong record, and one great semester won't fully repair a weak one. The most effective moves are protecting grades in high-credit courses and getting help early in the classes that drag you down, rather than waiting for finals.

How the numbers are worked out

Letter grades map to points: A/A+ = 4.0, A− = 3.7, B+ = 3.3, B = 3.0, B− = 2.7, C+ = 2.3, C = 2.0, C− = 1.7, D+ = 1.3, D = 1.0, D− = 0.7, F = 0. (Some schools score an A+ as 4.3 — check your handbook.)
With weighting on, honors classes add +0.5 and AP/IB classes add +1.0 to the course's points.
GPA = Σ(course points × credits) ÷ Σ(credits).
Cumulative mode blends in your prior GPA weighted by the credits it represents.
Everything runs in your browser — your grades never leave the page.

Frequently asked questions

What is a good GPA?

Nationally, a 3.0 (B average) is solid, a 3.5+ is strong, and a 3.8+ unweighted puts you in range for selective universities. Context matters though: course difficulty, your school's grading culture, and an upward trend all carry weight with admissions officers.

What's the difference between weighted and unweighted GPA?

Unweighted GPA scores every class on the same 4.0 scale regardless of difficulty. Weighted GPA adds bonus points for advanced classes (commonly +0.5 for honors, +1.0 for AP/IB), so it can exceed 4.0. Colleges usually look at both, and many recalculate your GPA using only core subjects.

Is an A+ worth 4.0 or 4.3?

It depends on the school. Most US high schools and colleges cap the scale at 4.0, but some award 4.3 for an A+. This calculator uses 4.0 by default since that's the most common convention — if your school uses 4.3, your official GPA may be slightly higher than shown.

How do colleges see my GPA?

Many colleges recalculate applicants' GPAs with their own formula — often unweighted, core academic subjects only — so two students with the same transcript get the same number regardless of how their schools weight it. That's why an impressive weighted GPA matters less than strong grades in challenging core classes.

Can a tutor actually improve my GPA?

Yes — but the earlier the better. Because GPA is a credit-weighted average, rescuing a course from a C to a B+ mid-semester moves the needle far more than a last-minute cram before finals. Subject-specialist tutors on marketplaces like Wyzant typically run about $35–65 per hour in the US, and homework-help services cost less.