GradLedgerQuick answer: A homeschool GPA is the sum of (grade points × credits) divided by the total credits of graded courses. On the standard 4.0 scale A = 4.0, B = 3.0, C = 2.0, D = 1.0 and F = 0. For a weighted GPA, add 0.5 to passing grades in honors courses and 1.0 in AP or dual-enrollment courses before multiplying.
How to calculate a homeschool GPA
- Convert each grade to points. Use your grading scale: A = 4.0, A- = 3.7, B+ = 3.3, and so on (table below). Percentages convert to a letter first.
- Multiply by credits. A full-year course is usually 1.0 credit and a semester 0.5. Grade points × credits = quality points.
- Add the quality points and the credits. Include only graded courses. Leave out pass/fail and in-progress courses.
- Divide. Total quality points ÷ total graded credits = GPA. Round the same way every time; GradLedger rounds half up to 2 decimals (or 3 if you choose).
- For a weighted GPA, add the weight (for example +0.5 Honors, +1.0 AP) to each passing grade's points before multiplying, then divide by the same credits.
Worked example
A 9th grader with one honors course and a pass/fail PE class:
| Course | Grade | Grade points | Credits | Quality points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English 9 | A | 4.0 | 1.0 | 4.0 |
| Algebra 1 | B+ | 3.3 | 1.0 | 3.3 |
| Biology (Honors) | A- | 3.7 (+0.5 = 4.2 weighted) | 1.0 | 3.7 (4.2 weighted) |
| World History | B | 3.0 | 1.0 | 3.0 |
| Spanish 1 | A | 4.0 | 1.0 | 4.0 |
| Art | A | 4.0 | 0.5 | 2.0 |
| Physical Education | P | — | 0.5 | Not in GPA (credit still earned) |
| Total (graded courses) | 5.5 | 20.0 (20.5 weighted) |
Unweighted GPA = 20.0 ÷ 5.5 = 3.636 → 3.64
Weighted GPA = 20.5 ÷ 5.5 = 3.727 → 3.73
This is the example loaded in the calculator above, so you can check each number in the "Show the math" table.
Grade points on the 4.0 scale
This is the plus/minus scale most US high schools use. If you don't give plus or minus grades, use only A = 4, B = 3, C = 2, D = 1 and F = 0 (untick plus/minus in the calculator).
| Letter | Percent (10-point scale) | Grade points |
|---|---|---|
| A+ | 97–100 | 4.0 |
| A | 93–96 | 4.0 |
| A- | 90–92 | 3.7 |
| B+ | 87–89 | 3.3 |
| B | 83–86 | 3.0 |
| B- | 80–82 | 2.7 |
| C+ | 77–79 | 2.3 |
| C | 73–76 | 2.0 |
| C- | 70–72 | 1.7 |
| D+ | 67–69 | 1.3 |
| D | 63–66 | 1.0 |
| D- | 60–62 | 0.7 |
| F | below 60 | 0.0 |
Some families use a stricter 7-point percentage scale instead: A 93–100, B 85–92, C 77–84, D 70–76, F below 70. Some schools count A+ as 4.3; most cap it at 4.0. Whichever you use, print the scale on the transcript. GradLedger adds it automatically.
Weighted vs unweighted GPA
| Unweighted GPA | Weighted GPA | |
|---|---|---|
| Scale | 0 to 4.0 | Can go above 4.0 |
| Honors course, grade A | 4.0 | 4.5 (with +0.5) |
| AP or dual-enrollment course, grade B | 3.0 | 4.0 (with +1.0) |
| Best for | Comparing students fairly | Showing the rigor of harder courses |
Many colleges recalculate GPA their own way, so show both and explain your weighting. Weight a course only when it really was more demanding. Note that the College Board asks schools to authorize a course through its AP Course Audit before labeling it "AP" on a transcript. If your student took an AP exam after a home course, many families label the course Honors and list the exam score separately. (GradLedger isn't affiliated with the College Board.)
Yearly and cumulative GPA
A transcript usually shows a GPA for each school year and a cumulative GPA for all years together. The cumulative GPA is not the average of the yearly GPAs: it is total quality points divided by total graded credits, so a year with more credits counts for more. The full transcript generator calculates both for you.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA scale should a homeschool transcript use?
The 4.0 scale is the most widely understood: A = 4, B = 3, C = 2, D = 1, F = 0, with plus/minus steps of about 0.3. Print the scale on the transcript so readers know exactly how grades convert.
Do pass/fail courses count in GPA?
No. A course graded P earns its credits but isn't included in the GPA. An F does count: it adds credits to the divisor and zero grade points.
How do I convert a percentage grade to GPA?
Convert the percentage to a letter with your scale (on a 10-point scale 93 to 96 is an A, 90 to 92 an A-) and then use that letter's grade points. The calculator accepts percentages directly.
Is 89.5 an A- or a B+?
The calculator compares the number you type with the scale exactly, so 89.5 is a B+ on the 10-point scale. If your policy is to round to the nearest whole percent, enter the rounded number (90).
Can a weighted GPA be higher than 4.0?
Yes. With +1.0 for AP or dual enrollment, an A in those courses counts as 5.0, so a weighted GPA can go above 4.0. The unweighted GPA always stays between 0 and 4.0.
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Last updated · Written by the MiniTools team. GradLedger is general information and a record-keeping tool, not legal advice. Homeschool laws and college requirements vary; check your state's rules and each college's admissions requirements.