Weighted and unweighted GPA for as many courses as you need. Understand what your GPA means for college admissions and scholarships.
Course Name (optional)GradeCourse TypeCredits
Unweighted GPA
—
4.0 scale
Weighted GPA
—
5.0 scale (with AP/IB)
Total Credits
—
courses counted
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Grade to GPA Conversion Chart
Letter Grade
Percentage Range
Unweighted (Regular)
Weighted (Honors)
Weighted (AP/IB)
A+
97–100%
4.0
4.5
5.0
A
93–96%
4.0
4.5
5.0
A−
90–92%
3.7
4.2
4.7
B+
87–89%
3.3
3.8
4.3
B
83–86%
3.0
3.5
4.0
B−
80–82%
2.7
3.2
3.7
C+
77–79%
2.3
2.8
3.3
C
73–76%
2.0
2.5
3.0
D
60–69%
1.0
1.5
2.0
F
Below 60%
0.0
0.0
0.0
What Does Your GPA Mean for College?
3.9–4.0+
Elite / Highly Selective
Ivy League, Stanford, MIT, and top-25 schools. Strong test scores and extracurriculars also expected.
3.5–3.9
Competitive
Qualifies for most selective schools. Opens doors to merit scholarships at many universities.
3.0–3.5
Average / Above Average
Accepted at most state universities. Eligible for some merit aid. Strong upward trends matter.
2.5–3.0
Below Average
Community college or open-enrollment universities. Opportunity to rebuild GPA before transferring.
Weighted vs. Unweighted GPA — The Full Explanation
An unweighted GPA treats every class the same. An A in gym class counts the same as an A in AP Physics — both give you 4.0 points. It maxes out at 4.0.
A weighted GPA assigns extra point value to more challenging courses. The most common system adds 0.5 points for Honors courses and 1.0 point for AP and IB courses. So an A in AP Chemistry is worth 5.0 instead of 4.0. A weighted GPA can exceed 4.0.
Most colleges recalculate GPAs using their own formula when reviewing applications, so don't stress too much about which number is higher. What matters more is the rigor of your course load alongside your grades. Taking harder classes and getting Bs often looks better than taking easy classes and getting straight As.
Yes. Your high school GPA and college GPA are calculated separately. When you enroll in a college or university, you start fresh with a 0.0 GPA and build from there. Some transfer students may have their previous college credits evaluated, but the GPA typically does not transfer directly.
Can I recover my GPA after a bad semester?
Yes, but it takes consistent effort over time. Because GPA is a cumulative average, one bad semester has less impact the more credits you accumulate. Colleges and employers also look for upward trends — improving grades semester over semester shows growth and resilience. Focus on doing well going forward rather than dwelling on past grades.
What GPA do I need to get into college?
It depends on the school. Highly selective schools typically want 3.9+ unweighted. Most four-year universities admit students in the 3.0–3.5 range. Community colleges are typically open-enrollment, meaning there's no GPA requirement. The best strategy is to research the average GPA of admitted students at schools you're interested in.
Do AP classes boost my GPA?
On a weighted scale, yes — an A in an AP class is worth 5.0 instead of 4.0, which can significantly raise your weighted GPA. But colleges recalculate GPAs on their own scales, so the indirect benefit of taking AP classes is showing that you can handle college-level work, which is a stronger signal than the weighted number itself.