The Core Difference
An unweighted GPA caps every class at 4.0 regardless of difficulty - an A is an A whether it's in a regular class or an AP class. A weighted GPA gives bonus points for harder coursework, so an A in an AP or IB class might be worth 5.0 instead of 4.0.
Side-by-Side Example
| Class | Grade | Unweighted | Weighted (AP) |
|---|---|---|---|
| AP Chemistry | A | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| AP History | B | 3.0 | 4.0 |
| Regular English | A | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Average | 3.67 | 4.33 |
Same three classes, same grades - but the weighted GPA is nearly a full point higher because of the AP bonus.
Which One Do Colleges See?
Many colleges recalculate applicants' GPA using their own standardized formula, which may not match either your school's weighted or unweighted number exactly. That said, most admissions offices do give credit for course rigor separately from the raw GPA number - so taking AP/IB/Honors classes still helps, even if the college uses its own scale.
Calculate Both
Learn more in our guide on how AP and Honors classes affect GPA, or use the weighted grade calculator and standard GPA calculator to compare your own numbers.