Unweighted GPA Calculator

What is an unweighted GPA?

An unweighted GPA measures grades on the same base scale for every course. It does not add extra points for honors, AP, IB, or dual-enrollment classes. An A is treated as an A whether the class is regular or advanced, which makes the result useful for seeing pure grade performance.

How do you calculate unweighted GPA?

Convert each grade to its base grade point value, multiply by credits if using credit-weighted averaging, add the grade points, and divide by the total included weight. If your school averages each class equally, use the equal-course method instead of credits.

What is the unweighted GPA formula?

Credit-weighted unweighted GPA = Σ(credits × base grade points) ÷ Σ(credits). Equal-course unweighted GPA is simply the average of the grade point values for all included courses.

Why use unweighted GPA if weighted GPA exists?

Unweighted GPA is easier to compare across different course-level systems because it removes weighting differences. Weighted GPA shows course rigor impact, while unweighted GPA shows the underlying grade average. Many students should track both.

For official reporting, always check your school handbook or registrar because grading scales and repeated-course rules vary. For a general explanation of GPA conversion, see College Board BigFuture's guide to converting GPA to a 4.0 scale. For college transcript policy context, many registrars publish their own rules; the University of Washington provides a clear example of how grade points and credits are used in GPA calculation.

Common unweighted GPA mistakes

Do not include AP or honors bonuses. Do not count pass/fail courses unless they have grade points. Do not assume percentage-to-letter conversion is universal. Finally, do not mix credit-weighted and equal-course methods unless you know which method your school uses.

Frequently asked questions

• Is unweighted GPA always out of 4.0?
  Usually it is reported on a 4.0-style scale, but some schools use different reporting systems. This calculator uses a 4.0 base model.
• Does AP count higher in unweighted GPA?
  No. AP, honors, IB, and dual-enrollment bonuses are ignored in unweighted GPA.
• Should credits matter for unweighted GPA?
  Many schools still weight unweighted GPA by credits. Use the credit-weighted method if larger courses count more on your transcript.
• Can I enter percentages?
  Yes. Percentage mode converts grades to a standard letter scale first. Your school may use different cutoffs.
• What is the difference between weighted and unweighted GPA?
  Weighted GPA adds course-rigor bonuses. Unweighted GPA does not.