Unweighted GPA Calculator

What is the Difference Between Weighted GPA and Unweighted GPA?

Unweighted GPA is a measure of grade point average that weights classes by credit hours, but not by difficulty.  In an unweighted GPA system, a 3-credit wood shop class and 3-credit AP Biology are weighted equally.  This differs from weighted GPA where the AP Biology class would receive additional grade points.

In an unweighted GPA, the number of credits can, however, affect cumulative GPA.  For instance, a 3-credit class counts 3 times as much as a 1-credit class.  Unweighted GPA and Weighted Average GPA are one in the same. 




How to Calculate Unweighted GPA

Unweighted GPA is calculated using the following steps:
  1. Gather all letter grades and number of credits for each class.
  2. Find out the number of grade points for each grade, according to your school's grading scale (the most common is 4 points for an A, 3 points for a B, etc.)
  3. Multiply the number of grade points by the number of  credits for each class.
  4. Sum the total of these products
  5. Divide this number by the total number of credits
  6. The result is your weighted average GPA (or unweighted GPA).

Unweighted GPA Scale

There are many GPA scales used by high schools and colleges.  The most common is the 4-point GPA scale.
A  = 4.0
A- = 3.667
B+ = 3.333
B   = 3.0
B-  = 2.667
C+ = 2.333
C   = 2.0
C-  = 1.667
D+ = 1.333
D   = 1.0
D-  = 0.667
F    = 0

There are other variations on this scale, but most follow fairly closely.  Check with your school to see which scale it uses.  Also, check out our information on weighted GPA calculation.