Formula & Calculator
Unweighted GPA Calculator
The Unweighted GPA Calculator calculates a student's Grade Point Average without considering course difficulty. All courses are treated equally regardless of whether they are standard, Honors, AP, or IB. Unweighted GPA is typically calculated on a 4.0 scale where an A equals 4.0, B equals 3.0, C equals 2.0, D equals 1.0, and F equals 0.0. It is calculated by multiplying the final course grade with the credit awarded divided by the total credits. Most colleges consider both weighted and unweighted GPA during admissions.
| Letter Grade | Grade Points | Percentage Range |
|---|---|---|
| A | 4.0 | 90–100% |
| A- | 3.7 | 80–89% |
| B+ | 3.3 | 77–79% |
| B | 3.0 | 73–76% |
| B- | 2.7 | 70–72% |
| C+ | 2.3 | 67–69% |
| C | 2.0 | 63–66% |
| C- | 1.7 | 60–62% |
| D+ | 1.3 | 57–59% |
| D | 1.0 | 50–56% |
| F | 0.0 | 0–49% |
Variables
| Symbol | Quantity | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Unweighted GPA | Unweighted Grade Point Average | 0.0 to 4.0 |
| Credits | Credit Hours | Hours |
| Grade Points | Quality Points | Points |
What it means
Unweighted GPA is calculated on a standard 4.0 scale where all courses are treated equally regardless of difficulty.
Worked example
Worked Example 1 – Unweighted GPA Calculation
A student takes: Mathematics (4 credits, A), English (3 credits, B+), History (3 credits, A-), Biology (4 credits, B). Using 4.0 scale: A=4.0, B+=3.3, A-=3.7, B=3.0. Grade points: (4.0×4)+(3.3×3)+(3.7×3)+(3.0×4) = 16.0+9.9+11.1+12.0 = 49.0. Total credits = 14. Unweighted GPA = 49.0 ÷ 14 = 3.50.
Worked Example 2 – Unweighted GPA with Different Course Levels
A student takes: AP Calculus (4 credits, A), Standard English (3 credits, A-), Honors History (3 credits, B+), AP Physics (4 credits, B). All courses are treated equally in unweighted GPA. The same calculation applies regardless of course difficulty.
Common mistakes
- Confusing unweighted GPA with weighted GPA.
- Using a 5.0 scale instead of a 4.0 scale for unweighted GPA.
- Giving extra weight to advanced courses in unweighted calculation.
- Forgetting that unweighted GPA treats all courses equally.
- Not understanding that unweighted GPA is typically lower than weighted GPA for students taking advanced courses.
Applications
- Calculate GPA on a standard 4.0 scale without course weighting.
- Compare with weighted GPA for advanced courses.
- Understand your baseline academic performance.
- Prepare for college applications.