High School GPA Calculator
Use this calculator to determine your unweighted or weighted Grade Point Average (GPA) for high school courses. Enter your letter grades and the corresponding credit hours for each course. If your school uses a weighted GPA system for advanced courses (like AP, IB, or Honors), check the 'Weighted' box for those specific courses.
— Select Grade —
A (4.0)
A- (3.7)
B+ (3.3)
B (3.0)
B- (2.7)
C+ (2.3)
C (2.0)
C- (1.7)
D+ (1.3)
D (1.0)
D- (0.7)
F (0.0)
— Select Grade —
A (4.0)
A- (3.7)
B+ (3.3)
B (3.0)
B- (2.7)
C+ (2.3)
C (2.0)
C- (1.7)
D+ (1.3)
D (1.0)
D- (0.7)
F (0.0)
— Select Grade —
A (4.0)
A- (3.7)
B+ (3.3)
B (3.0)
B- (2.7)
C+ (2.3)
C (2.0)
C- (1.7)
D+ (1.3)
D (1.0)
D- (0.7)
F (0.0)
— Select Grade —
A (4.0)
A- (3.7)
B+ (3.3)
B (3.0)
B- (2.7)
C+ (2.3)
C (2.0)
C- (1.7)
D+ (1.3)
D (1.0)
D- (0.7)
F (0.0)
— Select Grade —
A (4.0)
A- (3.7)
B+ (3.3)
B (3.0)
B- (2.7)
C+ (2.3)
C (2.0)
C- (1.7)
D+ (1.3)
D (1.0)
D- (0.7)
F (0.0)
Understanding Your High School GPA
Your Grade Point Average (GPA) is a crucial metric that reflects your academic performance throughout high school. It's a numerical representation of your grades, typically used by colleges and universities to assess your readiness for higher education, as well as for scholarship eligibility and class rank.
How is GPA Calculated?
The most common GPA scale in the United States is the 4.0 scale. Here's a general breakdown of how letter grades translate into GPA points:
- A (Excellent): 4.0 points
- A- : 3.7 points
- B+ : 3.3 points
- B (Good): 3.0 points
- B- : 2.7 points
- C+ : 2.3 points
- C (Average): 2.0 points
- C- : 1.7 points
- D+ : 1.3 points
- D (Below Average): 1.0 points
- D- : 0.7 points
- F (Failing): 0.0 points
To calculate your GPA, each course's grade points are multiplied by its credit hours (or weight). These "grade points" are then summed up and divided by the total number of credit hours. For example, if you get an A (4.0 points) in a 1.0-credit course, you earn 4.0 grade points. If you get a B (3.0 points) in a 0.5-credit course, you earn 1.5 grade points.
Unweighted vs. Weighted GPA
There are two primary types of GPA calculations:
- Unweighted GPA: This is the standard calculation where all courses, regardless of their difficulty, are treated equally on the 4.0 scale. An A in an introductory course holds the same weight as an A in an Advanced Placement (AP) course. The maximum unweighted GPA is 4.0.
- Weighted GPA: Many high schools and colleges use a weighted GPA system to acknowledge the rigor of advanced courses. In this system, courses like AP, International Baccalaureate (IB), or Honors classes are given extra points. Typically, an A in a weighted course might be worth 5.0 points instead of 4.0, a B worth 4.0 instead of 3.0, and so on. This means a student taking many challenging courses can achieve a GPA higher than 4.0 (e.g., 4.5 or 5.0).
It's important to know which system your high school uses and which system colleges you're applying to prefer. Our calculator allows you to account for weighted courses by checking the 'Weighted' box for relevant classes.
Why Your GPA Matters
- College Admissions: Your GPA is often one of the first criteria colleges look at. It provides a quick snapshot of your academic consistency and ability to handle coursework.
- Scholarships: Many academic scholarships are awarded based on GPA, among other factors. A higher GPA can open doors to more financial aid opportunities.
- Class Rank: Your GPA directly contributes to your class rank, which can be important for certain honors or admissions programs.
- Personal Growth: Tracking your GPA can motivate you to maintain or improve your academic performance, fostering good study habits.
How to Use the High School GPA Calculator
- Enter Your Grades: For each course, select the letter grade you received from the dropdown menu.
- Input Credits: Enter the number of credit hours (or units) for each course. Common values are 0.5 for a semester-long course or 1.0 for a full-year course.
- Check 'Weighted' (If Applicable): If your school weights grades for advanced courses (AP, IB, Honors), check the 'Weighted' box for those specific courses.
- Add More Courses: If you have more than the initial five courses, click the "Add Another Course" button to add more input rows.
- Calculate: Click the "Calculate GPA" button to see your estimated GPA.
Tips for Improving Your GPA
- Prioritize Study Time: Allocate dedicated time for studying and homework.
- Seek Help: Don't hesitate to ask teachers, tutors, or classmates for help when you're struggling.
- Participate Actively: Engage in class discussions and activities.
- Manage Your Time: Use planners or calendars to keep track of assignments and deadlines.
- Choose Challenging Courses Wisely: If aiming for a weighted GPA, balance challenging courses with your ability to succeed in them.