Weighted vs Unweighted GPA: What's the Difference?
One of the most common questions students have is whether their GPA is "weighted" or "unweighted." Here's everything you need to know.
Quick Comparison
| Unweighted GPA | Weighted GPA | |
|---|---|---|
| Scale | 0.0 – 4.0 | 0.0 – 5.0 (typical) |
| All A's = | 4.0 (always) | Up to 5.0 (with AP/IB) |
| Course difficulty | Not factored in | Bonus points for advanced courses |
| Used by | Colleges, transcripts | High schools (varies) |
| Can exceed 4.0? | No | Yes |
| Best for | College apps, grad school | High school class rank |
Unweighted GPA: The 4.0 Scale
On an unweighted scale, every course is treated the same regardless of difficulty:
- An A in AP Chemistry = 4.0
- An A in Regular Art = 4.0
- Maximum possible = 4.0
This is the scale used by most colleges and what appears on most official transcripts. When someone says "I have a 3.8 GPA," they almost always mean unweighted.
Weighted GPA: The 5.0 Scale
Weighted GPA rewards students who take challenging courses by adding bonus points:
| Course Level | Bonus | A | B | C | D | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular | +0.0 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 |
| Honors | +0.5 | 4.5 | 3.5 | 2.5 | 1.5 | 0.0 |
| AP / IB | +1.0 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 |
Side-by-Side Example
Same student, same grades — two different GPAs:
| Course | Level | Grade | Unweighted | Weighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP English | AP | A | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| AP Calculus | AP | B+ | 3.3 | 4.3 |
| Honors Chemistry | Honors | A− | 3.7 | 4.2 |
| Regular History | Regular | A | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Regular PE | Regular | A | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Average | 3.80 | 4.30 | ||
Calculate Your Weighted GPA →
Which One Do Colleges Look At?
This is the question every high schooler asks. The answer:
- Most selective colleges recalculate your GPA using their own methodology. They look at your transcript directly.
- Course rigor matters more than the number. Admissions officers prefer a 3.7 unweighted with 5 AP courses over a 4.0 unweighted with no AP courses.
- Weighted GPA is mainly useful for class rank within your high school.
- Application services have their own rules:
- Common App reports what your school reports (weighted or unweighted)
- LSAC recalculates using their own scale (A+ = 4.33)
- AMCAS recalculates for medical school applications
When Weighted GPA Can Hurt You
Weighted GPA isn't always better. A student with a 4.5 weighted GPA who earned B's in AP classes actually has a lower unweighted GPA than a student with straight A's in regular classes (4.0 unweighted).
The takeaway: take challenging courses you can succeed in, not just courses that boost your weighted number.
International Equivalents
Weighted vs. unweighted GPA is primarily a US concept. Other systems:
- UK: First/2:1/2:2/Third classifications, no weighted GPA equivalent
- Canada: Similar 4.0 scale or percentage-based, weighting varies by province
- India: CGPA (10-point or percentage), no standard weighting for course difficulty
- Australia: WAM (Weighted Average Mark) on 100-point scale
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my weighted GPA be lower than my unweighted GPA?
No, as long as bone bonus points are non-negative. Weighted GPA is always ≥ unweighted GPA since it only adds points.
Do all high schools use weighted GPA?
No. Some schools only use unweighted GPA. Some don't calculate class rank at all. It depends on the school district.
How do I convert weighted GPA to unweighted?
You can't perfectly convert between them with just the number — you need the original grades and course levels. Use our High School GPA Calculator to see both side by side.
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