High School GPA Calculator
Use our high school GPA calculator to find your grade point average by entering the grade for each course below.
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How to Calculate a High School GPA
A grade point average, or GPA, is a standard way of measuring academic achievement in the U.S. A GPA is a weighted average of the grades a student earns in their courses.
You can follow a few easy steps to calculate a high school GPA.
Step One: Understand the GPA Scale
Most high schools use a 4.0 scale, where:
| Letter Grade | GPA |
|---|---|
| A | 4.0 |
| B | 3.0 |
| C | 2.0 |
| D | 1.0 |
| F | 0.0 |
However, some schools utilize weighted GPAs that account for the additional rigor of certain classes. For example, advanced placement (AP) or college-level classes may follow a 5.0 scale, where an A would equate to 5.0 instead of 4.0.
Step Two: Weight Each Grade
For every class you’ve taken, assign the corresponding point value for the grade from the scale. For example, if you earned a B in a standard class, you’d assign it a 3.0.
If your school uses weighted grades and you’ve taken honors, AP (Advanced Placement), or IB (International Baccalaureate) classes, you’ll need to weight the GPAs. Typically, these scales look something like this:
- regular classes = +0 points
- honors classes = +0.5 points
- AP/IB classes = +1.0 point
Step Three: Multiply Grade Points by Course Credit
Many high schools use credits or credit hours for different classes. For instance, if a course is a full year, it might be worth 1 credit, while a semester course might be worth 0.5 credits.
If this is the case at your school, then you’ll need to multiply the grade point you received for the course by the number of credits the course is worth.
Step Four: Sum the Total Grade Points
The next step is to add up all the results from step three to get the sum of all your grade points weighted by course credit.
Step Five: Divide by Total Credit Hours
Lastly, to get your GPA, divide the sum from step four by the total number of credits you’ve attempted.
This process is the same as the one used to calculate a weighted grade. Here’s the basic formula:
Your GPA is equal to the sum of the products of each class’s GPA and its credit hours divided by the total number of credit hours.
You might also be interested in our college GPA calculator.
High School GPA Tips
Know Your School’s System: While the above is a general guide, always refer to your school’s specific GPA guidelines, as scales and weights can vary.
Transcripts: Your high school transcript should display your GPA, but understanding how it’s calculated can be beneficial, especially when planning for college admissions.
Beyond the Numbers: While GPA is important, remember that colleges and employers often look at a range of factors, including extracurricular activities, letters of recommendation, and personal essays.