High School GPA Calculator
The simplest way to calculate your unweighted high school GPA on the standard 4.0 scale. Enter each course, choose the grade, and we do the rest.
Calculations follow the standard US 4.0 scale. Weighted boosts use the most common +0.5 (Honors) and +1.0 (AP/IB/College) convention. Everything runs locally in your browser.
What counts toward your high school GPA?
Your high school GPA includes every academic course you have taken since 9th grade, weighted by the number of credits each course is worth. Most US high schools assign 1.0 credit per year-long course (5 credits per semester course in some states), and 0.5 credits for a half-year elective. Physical education, health, and study hall sometimes count toward the GPA and sometimes do not — check your transcript.
What is a good unweighted GPA?
- 3.9 – 4.0 — Excellent. Competitive at every US college, including the Ivy League.
- 3.5 – 3.9 — Strong. Comfortable at most state flagships and selective private schools.
- 3.0 – 3.5 — Above average. The national median; solid for most public universities.
- 2.5 – 3.0 — Average. Open to community college and many regional state schools.
- Below 2.5 — Below average. Focus on raising your GPA before senior-year applications.
Plus / minus modifiers explained
Most US high schools include +/− modifiers on letter grades (A-, B+, B-, etc.). On the standard 4.0 scale, these are worth ±0.3 points: an A- is 3.7, a B+ is 3.3. A small number of schools (and most universities) drop the modifiers and assign whole-letter values only — A = 4.0, B = 3.0, regardless of plus or minus. Our calculator uses the standard +/−0.3 system but you can switch to a percentage input for full precision.
How to raise your GPA
- Identify the worst course. Replacing a single C with an A in a 1-credit class can lift a 3.4 GPA to a 3.6 in one semester.
- Take harder classes — strategically. Honors and AP courses are weighted at most schools, so an A in an Honors class actually lifts your weighted GPA more than an A in a regular class.
- Retake failed courses. Many schools will replace the F with the new grade for GPA purposes (the original stays on the transcript).
- Use credit recovery. Summer school and online credit-recovery courses count toward your transcript at most US high schools.
- Run the math. Our Target GPA Predictor tells you the exact GPA you need each remaining semester to hit your senior-year goal.
Frequently asked questions
How is high school GPA calculated?
Each grade is converted to a 4.0-scale value (A = 4.0, A- = 3.7, B+ = 3.3, etc.), multiplied by the credits the course is worth, summed across all courses, and divided by the total credits. The result is your cumulative GPA.
What is the average high school GPA in the US?
The national average unweighted GPA is approximately 3.0 (a B average). Top 25% of seniors typically have a GPA of 3.6 or higher, and the top 10% are around 3.85+.
Is a 3.0 GPA good in high school?
A 3.0 (B average) is the national average — solid, but not standout. It will get you into many state universities and community colleges. For competitive private universities or honors programs, aim for 3.5+.
Can I raise my GPA my senior year?
Yes, but the math gets harder as you accumulate credits. Use our Target GPA Predictor to see exactly what you need to earn each remaining semester to reach your goal.
Do colleges see weighted or unweighted GPA?
Both. The Common App reports whichever scale your school uses, and most colleges recalculate using their own internal formula. Selective schools also look at course rigor — an unweighted 3.7 with five AP classes beats an unweighted 3.9 with no AP classes at most universities.