What is the highest GPA you can get?
4.0unweighted maximum
Weighted scales commonly reach 5.0
On the standard unweighted scale the highest GPA is 4.0 — straight As. Weighted scales that add 1.0 for AP or IB classes go up to 5.0, and colleges that give an A+ 4.3 let a GPA pass 4.0.
Maximum GPA = the points for the highest grade on your scale
- Unweighted 4.0 scale: maximum 4.0
- A+ counts as 4.0 on the standard scale
- A+ = 4.3 at some colleges, so GPAs can reach 4.3
- Weighted with +1.0 for AP/IB: maximum 5.0
- A 4.0 weighted is not the same as a 4.0 unweighted
Weighted GPA calculator
Mark each class Regular, Honors, AP, IB or dual enrollment. Bonus points are added for you.
Can you get above a 4.0?
Unweighted, no. Weighted, yes: an A in an AP class commonly counts as 5.0, so a schedule full of AP classes with As averages above 4.0.
The 4.3 scale
Some universities, Stanford among them, give an A+ 4.3 grade points. There a student with some A+ grades can finish above 4.0 without any weighting.
Why a 4.0 can mean different things
A 4.0 unweighted is straight As. A 4.0 weighted could be a mix of As and Bs in AP classes. Always compare like with like.
Check your scale
The highest GPA at your school is the points for its top grade, plus any weighting bonus. Your student handbook or registrar’s page says what those are.
Frequently asked questions
Is a 4.0 GPA the highest?
On an unweighted scale, yes. Weighted scales and A+ = 4.3 scales go higher.
What does a 4.0 GPA mean?
On the unweighted scale, straight As: every graded class at A or A+.
Can you have a 5.0 GPA?
Yes, on a weighted scale with +1.0 for AP or IB: straight As in all weighted classes.