// across classes
Weighted GPA calculator. Cumulative and semester, with AP and Honors.
Your GPA is calculated by multiplying each course's grade points by its credit hours, summing the totals, and dividing by total credits. A weighted GPA adds extra points for AP (+1.0) and Honors (+0.5) courses, rewarding harder coursework.
Updated 28 April 2026
Most colleges receive both your unweighted GPA (on the standard 4.0 scale) and weighted GPA. A student with a 3.5 unweighted and 4.2 weighted has taken multiple AP/Honors courses and performed well in them. A student with 3.8 unweighted and 3.8 weighted has taken no advanced courses. Admissions officers generally prefer the first.
Grade point scale
| Letter | Unweighted | Honors (+0.5) | AP / IB (+1.0) |
|---|---|---|---|
| A+ | 4.0 | 4.5 | 5.0 |
| A | 4.0 | 4.5 | 5.0 |
| A- | 3.7 | 4.2 | 4.7 |
| B+ | 3.3 | 3.8 | 4.3 |
| B | 3.0 | 3.5 | 4.0 |
| B- | 2.7 | 3.2 | 3.7 |
| C+ | 2.3 | 2.8 | 3.3 |
| C | 2.0 | 2.5 | 3.0 |
| C- | 1.7 | 2.2 | 2.7 |
| D+ | 1.3 | 1.8 | 2.3 |
| D | 1.0 | 1.5 | 2.0 |
| D- | 0.7 | 1.2 | 1.7 |
| F | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
How to calculate GPA, step by step
Example: 5 courses this semester
Cumulative GPA
Cumulative GPA combines all semesters: (Previous Quality Points + Current Quality Points) / (Previous Credits + Current Credits). If your previous cumulative GPA was 3.6 on 60 credits (216 quality points) and this semester you earned 70.1 quality points on 18 credits, your new cumulative is (216 + 70.1) / (60 + 18) = 3.67.
This is why cumulative GPA becomes harder to move as credits accumulate. In your first semester, one course represents 1/15 of your record. By junior year, it represents 1/30 or less. Strong early performance compounds; recovery from a bad first year takes time.
What GPA do I need this semester?
Required Semester GPA = (Target Cumulative GPA x Total Credits - Previous Quality Points) / Current Semester Credits.
Worked example
Current cumulative: 3.4 on 60 credits (204 quality points). Taking 15 credits. Target cumulative: 3.5.
required = (3.5 x 75 - 204) / 15 = (262.5 - 204) / 15 = 3.9 GPA this semester
Nearly straight A's required to lift cumulative from 3.4 to 3.5. The more credits behind you, the harder it is to move the needle.
GPA benchmarks for college admissions
Indicative ranges only. Holistic admissions consider essays, test scores, recommendations, and extracurriculars alongside GPA. Numbers below reflect commonly cited admissions guidance, not guaranteed thresholds.
Highly selective universities
3.9+ unweighted, 4.2+ weighted
Near-perfect grades expected, AP/IB rigor matters significantly
Top 20 universities
3.7 to 3.9 unweighted
Strong grades plus 5+ AP/Honors courses typical
Top 50 universities
3.5 to 3.7 unweighted
Solid performance with some AP/Honors coursework
State flagship universities
3.0 to 3.5 unweighted
Varies widely by state and program
Most four-year colleges
2.5 to 3.0 unweighted
Many use holistic admissions beyond GPA alone
Graduate school (general)
3.0+ unweighted
3.5+ for competitive programs. GRE/GMAT also matter