AP GPA Calculator

What Is an AP GPA Calculator?

An AP GPA Calculator helps students calculate their grade point average using Advanced Placement (AP) and regular courses. It can show both a weighted GPA and an unweighted GPA based on the grades and credits you enter.

AP courses may receive additional weight in a weighted GPA calculation. However, GPA weighting policies can vary between high schools and school districts. This calculator uses a common 5.0 weighted scale for AP courses and a 4.0 scale for unweighted GPA calculations.

How Does AP GPA Work?

AP GPA is commonly calculated by giving AP courses additional grade points compared with regular courses. For example, an A in a regular course may be worth 4.0 points, while an A in an AP course may be worth 5.0 points on a common weighted scale.

The calculator uses the course type, letter grade, and number of credits to calculate your weighted GPA. It also calculates an unweighted GPA by using the standard 4.0 grade-point scale for all courses.

AP GPA Scale

The following table shows the grade-point values used by this AP GPA Calculator. AP courses use the weighted values shown in the AP column, while regular courses use the standard 4.0 values.

These values represent the common scale used by this calculator. Your school may use a different AP weighting system, so check your school's grading policy when an official GPA is required.

How to Calculate AP GPA

To calculate a weighted AP GPA, multiply the grade points for each course by the number of credits, add the results, and then divide by the total number of credits.

For example, suppose you have an A in an AP Biology course worth 1 credit and a B in a regular English course worth 1 credit.

In this example, the weighted AP GPA is 4.00.

How to Use the AP GPA Calculator

1. Enter the name of each course.
2. Select AP for Advanced Placement courses or Regular for standard courses.
3. Select the letter grade you received for each course.
4. Enter the number of credits for each course.
5. Click Calculate AP GPA.
6. Review your weighted and unweighted GPA in the result section.

You can use + Add Course to enter additional classes and remove courses you no longer want to include in the calculation.

Weighted AP GPA vs. Unweighted GPA

A weighted GPA gives additional grade points to certain advanced courses, such as AP courses. An unweighted GPA uses the standard 4.0 scale without adding extra points for the course level.

For example, an A in an AP course is calculated as 5.0 points for the weighted GPA in this calculator, but it remains 4.0 points when calculating the unweighted GPA.

This difference can cause your weighted GPA to be higher than your unweighted GPA when you take AP courses and earn strong grades.

How Much Are AP Classes Weighted?

AP classes are often weighted more heavily than regular classes when calculating a weighted GPA. On the 5.0 scale used by this calculator, an A in an AP class is worth 5.0 GPA points instead of 4.0 points for an A in a regular class.

For example, a B in an AP class is worth 4.0 weighted GPA points, while a B in a regular class is worth 3.0 points. This additional weighting can increase your weighted GPA when you earn good grades in AP courses.

The exact amount of AP weighting depends on your school's grading policy. Some schools use different GPA scales or weighting rules, so check your school's official policy when you need an official GPA.

How Much Does an AP Class Boost Your GPA?

An AP class can boost your GPA when your school uses a weighted GPA system. Many schools give additional GPA points for AP courses because they are considered more challenging than regular classes.

For example, on a common weighted 5.0 scale, an A in a regular class may be worth 4.0 GPA points, while an A in an AP class may be worth 5.0 points. However, the exact amount of the GPA boost depends on your school's grading policy.

AP classes do not always add exactly 1.0 point. Some schools use different weighted GPA scales or award different amounts for AP, honors, and other advanced courses. Check your school's official GPA policy to determine how AP classes affect your GPA.

If you want to include AP courses in your GPA calculation, use our Weighted GPA Calculator or AP GPA Calculator to compare your weighted and unweighted GPA.

AP GPA Calculation Example

Consider a student taking four 1-credit courses with the following grades:

The total weighted grade points are 16.0 and the total credits are 4. Therefore:

For the unweighted GPA, the AP courses are also calculated on the standard 4.0 scale. The student's unweighted GPA in this example is 3.50.

Does an AP Class Raise Your GPA?

An AP class can raise a student's weighted GPA when the school gives additional grade points to AP courses. For example, an A in an AP course may receive 5.0 weighted points instead of 4.0 points.

The effect on your GPA depends on your school's weighting policy, the grade you earn, the number of AP courses you take, and the number of credits assigned to each course.

Can AP GPA Be Higher Than 4.0?

Yes. A weighted AP GPA can be higher than 4.0 when AP courses receive additional grade points. On the 5.0 scale used by this calculator, an A in an AP course is worth 5.0 weighted points.

An unweighted GPA, however, remains on the standard 4.0 scale in this calculator.

Why AP GPA Calculations May Differ by School

There is no single AP GPA weighting system used by every high school. Schools may use different maximum GPAs, weighting rules, grade scales, and policies for AP, honors, or other advanced courses.

Because of these differences, the result from this calculator should be considered an estimate based on the scale described above. For official transcripts, college applications, or academic records, always follow the GPA calculation method provided by your school.