How to Calculate GPA: Unweighted and Weighted
Updated June 2026 - 5 min read
GPA - Grade Point Average - is a single number that summarizes your academic performance across all your courses. Most US colleges and high schools use either a 4.0 (unweighted) or a 5.0 (weighted) scale. Understanding how GPA is calculated helps you set realistic goals and track your progress.
The Grade Scale (4.0 System)
| Letter Grade | Percentage | Grade Points |
|---|---|---|
| A+ | 97-100% | 4.0 |
| A | 93-96% | 4.0 |
| A- | 90-92% | 3.7 |
| B+ | 87-89% | 3.3 |
| B | 83-86% | 3.0 |
| B- | 80-82% | 2.7 |
| C+ | 77-79% | 2.3 |
| C | 73-76% | 2.0 |
| C- | 70-72% | 1.7 |
| D+ | 67-69% | 1.3 |
| D | 63-66% | 1.0 |
| D- | 60-62% | 0.7 |
| F | Below 60% | 0.0 |
Unweighted GPA Formula
Unweighted GPA treats every course equally, regardless of difficulty. The formula is:
Example: If you earned A (4.0), B+ (3.3), A- (3.7), C (2.0), and B (3.0) in five classes, your GPA = (4.0 + 3.3 + 3.7 + 2.0 + 3.0) / 5 = 16.0 / 5 = 3.20
Weighted GPA (Credit Hours)
When courses carry different credit values, multiply each grade by its credits:
| Course | Grade | Credits | Points x Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Math | A (4.0) | 4 | 16.0 |
| English | B+ (3.3) | 3 | 9.9 |
| History | A- (3.7) | 3 | 11.1 |
| PE | A (4.0) | 1 | 4.0 |
| Total | 11 | 41.0 |
GPA = 41.0 / 11 = 3.73
AP and Honors Courses
For weighted GPA that rewards course difficulty, AP courses add 1.0 and Honors courses add 0.5 to the grade point. So an A in AP calculus counts as 5.0 instead of 4.0. Check your school's policy, as weighting rules vary.
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