ExamTally → Weighted GPA Calculator
Weighted GPA Calculator
Mark each course Regular, Honors, or AP and ExamTally adds the bonus points — returning a weighted GPA that can rise above 4.0.
A weighted GPA adds a bonus to harder courses: +0.5 for Honors, +1.0 for AP/IB, on top of the base points (A=4 … F=0). An A in regular English (4.0), an A in AP Calculus (5.0), and a B in Honors Biology (3.5) over 3 + 4 + 3 = 10 credits give 4.25. Enter your courses below.
Key takeaways
- Weighted GPA = Σ((base points + bonus) × credits) ÷ Σcredits.
- Bonus: Honors +0.5, AP/IB +1.0, Regular +0.
- An A in AP is worth 5.0 points — weighted GPA can exceed 4.0.
- Credits still weight each course; blank rows are ignored.
- Want the plain 4.0 figure? Use the GPA calculator.
How weighted GPA is calculated
A weighted GPA rewards harder courses. Each course starts from the same base points as an unweighted GPA (A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, F=0), then a bonus is added for the course type — typically +0.5 for Honors and +1.0 for AP or IB. Those boosted points are multiplied by credit hours, summed, and divided by the total credits.
Because an A in an AP class is worth 5.0, a schedule full of advanced courses can lift a weighted GPA above 4.0 — that's the point of the scale. The calculator divides by total credits and waits for a positive total, so there is no dividing by zero.
Worked example: three courses
Take A in regular English, 3 credits (4.0 points), A in AP Calculus, 4 credits (4 + 1.0 = 5.0 points), and B in Honors Biology, 3 credits (3 + 0.5 = 3.5 points). Quality points: 4.0·3 + 5.0·4 + 3.5·3 = 12 + 20 + 10.5 = 42.5, over 3 + 4 + 3 = 10 credits. Divide: 42.5 ÷ 10 = 4.25. The unweighted GPA for the same grades (A, A, B) is (4·3 + 4·4 + 3·3) ÷ 10 = 37 ÷ 10 = 3.70 — the AP and Honors bonuses add 0.55.
Grade points & course bonuses
| Course type | A | B | C | D | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular (+0) | 4.0 | 3.0 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 |
| Honors (+0.5) | 4.5 | 3.5 | 2.5 | 1.5 | 0.5 |
| AP / IB (+1.0) | 5.0 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 2.0 | 1.0 |
This is a common weighting scheme. Many schools differ — some add +1.0 for Honors, or only apply bonuses to passing grades — so confirm yours.
For the plain 4.0-scale figure, use the GPA calculator. To combine several semesters into one cumulative GPA, use the high school GPA calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How is weighted GPA calculated?
Start from the base grade points (A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, F=0), add the course-type bonus (Honors +0.5, AP +1.0, Regular +0), multiply by credit hours, sum those quality points, and divide by the total credits. An A in an AP class is worth 5.0 points.
How much do Honors and AP classes add?
The most common scheme adds +0.5 to each Honors course and +1.0 to each AP or IB course, on top of the base grade points. So an A becomes 4.5 in Honors or 5.0 in AP. Schools vary — some add +1.0 for Honors too — so check your policy.
Can a weighted GPA be above 4.0?
Yes. Because Honors and AP courses add bonus points, a transcript loaded with them can exceed 4.0, often topping out near 5.0. A plain (unweighted) GPA caps at 4.0; use the GPA calculator for that figure.
Does the bonus apply to failing grades?
On most scales the bonus is added to the earned grade points, so an F (0 points) plus a +1.0 AP bonus would be 1.0. Many schools only apply the bonus to passing grades; this calculator adds it to whatever grade you select, so adjust if your school differs.
Do credit hours still matter for a weighted GPA?
Yes. Just like an unweighted GPA, each course is weighted by its credit hours before averaging. A 4-credit AP class moves your weighted GPA more than a 1-credit one. Blank or zero-credit rows are ignored.
How many decimals is the weighted GPA shown to?
It is shown to two decimal places, the transcript convention (for example 4.43). Your school may truncate rather than round and may use a different bonus scheme, so treat the figure as an estimate and confirm with your registrar.
The weighted GPA is mathematical: base grade points plus a course-type bonus, multiplied by credits, divided by total credits. Base points use the standard 4.0 scale; the +0.5 Honors / +1.0 AP bonus is the most common scheme but schools set their own.
Last reviewed 2026-06-28