Weighted GPA Calculator Formula

Understand the math behind the weighted gpa calculator. Each variable explained with a worked example.

Use the Weighted GPA Calculator

Formulas Used

Weighted GPA

weighted_gpa = (weighted1 + weighted2 + weighted3) / total_credits

Unweighted GPA

unweighted_gpa = (grade1 * credits1 + grade2 * credits2 + grade3 * credits3) / total_credits

GPA Boost from Weighting

gpa_boost = (weighted1 + weighted2 + weighted3) / total_credits - (grade1 * credits1 + grade2 * credits2 + grade3 * credits3) / total_credits

Variables

VariableDescriptionDefault
grade1Course 1 Grade Points3.5
level1Course 1 Level0
credits1Course 1 Credits3
grade2Course 2 Grade Points3
level2Course 2 Level1
credits2Course 2 Credits4
grade3Course 3 Grade Points4
level3Course 3 Level0.5
credits3Course 3 Credits3
weighted1Derived value= (grade1 + level1) * credits1calculated
weighted2Derived value= (grade2 + level2) * credits2calculated
weighted3Derived value= (grade3 + level3) * credits3calculated
total_creditsDerived value= credits1 + credits2 + credits3calculated

How It Works

How to Calculate Weighted GPA

A weighted GPA rewards students for taking challenging courses by adding bonus points.

Formula

Weighted GPA = Sum of ((Grade + Level Bonus) x Credits) / Total Credits

  • Regular courses: +0.0
  • Honors courses: +0.5
  • AP/IB courses: +1.0

    • An A in an AP course is worth 5.0 on a weighted scale versus 4.0 on a standard scale.

    Worked Example

    Three courses: Regular (3.5, 3 cr), AP (3.0, 4 cr), Honors (4.0, 3 cr).

    grade1 = 3.5level1 = 0credits1 = 3grade2 = 3level2 = 1credits2 = 4grade3 = 4level3 = 0.5credits3 = 3
    1. 01Course 1 (Regular): (3.5 + 0.0) x 3 = 10.5
    2. 02Course 2 (AP): (3.0 + 1.0) x 4 = 16.0
    3. 03Course 3 (Honors): (4.0 + 0.5) x 3 = 13.5
    4. 04Total weighted points: 10.5 + 16.0 + 13.5 = 40.0
    5. 05Total credits: 3 + 4 + 3 = 10
    6. 06Weighted GPA = 40.0 / 10 = 4.00

    Ready to run the numbers?

    Open Weighted GPA Calculator