Short answer. Unweighted GPA treats every class the same, so an A is 4.0. Weighted GPA adds a bonus for honors (often +0.5) and AP or IB classes (often +1.0), so the top score can pass 4.0.
How the two GPAs differ
The unweighted GPA ignores class difficulty. An A is 4.0 in every class.
The weighted GPA adds a bonus to harder classes. A common setup adds 0.5 for honors and 1.0 for AP or IB, so an A in AP becomes 5.0. The bonus only applies to classes you pass.
Both bonus boxes are open. Change them to match your school. Some schools use 0.5 for AP, or give the bonus only for grades of B or higher.
Worked example
Example. Honors English A, Algebra II B+, AP Chemistry B, History A-, each 1 credit.
Unweighted: (4.0 + 3.3 + 3.0 + 3.7) ÷ 4 = 3.50. Weighted: (4.5 + 3.3 + 4.0 + 3.7) ÷ 4 = 3.88.
Questions
Which GPA do colleges look at?
Many colleges recompute your GPA with their own rules. They often use the unweighted GPA, or look at your weighted GPA next to the difficulty of your courses. Check the admissions page of the colleges you like.
Why is my school's number different?
Schools set their own bonus points, scales and rounding. Use your transcript for the official number, and use this page to plan.
Should I take an AP class to raise my GPA?
The bonus helps, but a lower grade in AP can still be worth less than a high grade in a regular class. Talk with your counselor about your plan.
Last checked by the StudyCount team.