IB GPA Calculator
Calculate your weighted GPA for International Baccalaureate courses. Enable the Weighted GPA toggle, select IB as your course type, and see your weighted and unweighted GPA instantly.
IB HL vs IB SL: What Each Course Level Means for GPA
IB Higher Level (HL) courses are the most rigorous IB courses and receive the full +1.0 weighted GPA bonus at most US high schools. IB Standard Level (SL) courses are less intensive and may receive +1.0 or +0.5 depending on the school's policy.
The International Baccalaureate program requires Diploma candidates to take at least 3 HL courses and up to 4. The remaining courses are SL. HL courses involve more teaching hours, deeper content, and a higher standard for Internal Assessments. Most US high schools treat IB HL the same as AP for GPA weighting, applying the full 1.0 bonus.
IB SL courses vary by school. If your school applies +1.0 to SL (same as HL), SL courses are GPA-equivalent to AP. If your school applies +0.5 to SL (same as Honors), SL courses fall between standard and AP in weighted GPA impact. Confirm your school's policy before calculating.
A in IB HL = 4.0 + 1.0 = 5.0 | B+ in IB HL = 3.3 + 1.0 = 4.3
A- in IB HL = 3.7 + 1.0 = 4.7 | B in IB HL = 3.0 + 1.0 = 4.0
IB 7-Point Scale to US Letter Grade Conversion
The IB uses a 1-7 grading scale where 7 is highest. US high schools convert IB scores to letter grades for transcript reporting and GPA calculation. The table below shows the most common mapping used by US schools.
| IB Score | Descriptor | US Letter Grade | Unweighted GPA | HL Weighted GPA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Excellent | A | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| 6 | Very Good | A- | 3.7 | 4.7 |
| 5 | Good | B+ | 3.3 | 4.3 |
| 4 | Satisfactory | B | 3.0 | 4.0 |
| 3 | Mediocre | C | 2.0 | 3.0 |
| 2 | Poor | D | 1.0 | 2.0 |
| 1 | Very Poor | F | 0.0 | 0.0 |
IB Diploma, College Admissions, and GPA Strategy
The IB Diploma is a two-year program covering six subject groups, an Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge, and Creativity Activity Service requirements. Diploma holders must earn at least 24 points out of 45 across all six subjects. Colleges view the full IB Diploma as strong evidence of academic rigor and international breadth.
IB Diploma Requirements and GPA Interaction
IB Diploma candidates take subjects across six areas: Language and Literature, Language Acquisition, Individuals and Societies, Sciences, Mathematics, and Arts. The breadth requirement means IB students carry a heavier course load than most AP students. Their weighted GPA reflects this a 4.3 weighted GPA in a full IB Diploma program signals more academic breadth than a 4.3 from 2 or 3 AP electives.
How Colleges View IB vs AP on Transcripts
Admissions officers at selective US colleges know both IB and AP well. IB Diploma candidates are noted as such in the school profile report. Admissions officers do not mechanically prefer one over the other they evaluate whether the student challenged themselves with what their school offered.
At schools offering both IB and AP, students sometimes mix programs. An IB Diploma student who adds AP courses in areas outside their IB subjects demonstrates strong academic drive. The weighted GPA combines all bonuses regardless of program source.
IB vs AP: Which Produces a Higher Weighted GPA?
On the standard US weighted GPA system, IB HL and AP courses are mathematically equivalent both earn +1.0. There is no GPA advantage to choosing one over the other if your school applies the same weighting to both. Choose based on curriculum fit, teaching style, and the college credit policies at your target schools rather than GPA mechanics.
IB GPA Worked Example
A student taking three IB courses and two standard courses earns a 3.63 unweighted GPA and a 4.52 weighted GPA on the 5.0 scale.
| Course | Grade | Credits | Grade Pts | Quality Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IB Biology HL | A | 4 | 4.0 | 16.0 |
| IB Chemistry SL | B+ | 3 | 3.3 | 9.9 |
| IB English A HL | A- | 4 | 3.7 | 14.8 |
| Standard Math | B | 3 | 3.0 | 9.0 |
| Standard History | A | 3 | 4.0 | 12.0 |
| Totals | 17 | 61.7 | ||
IB courses earn 1.0 bonus points on the 5.0 weighted scale. Weighted: IB Biology A=5.0, IB Chemistry B+=4.3, IB English A-=4.7, Standard Math B=3.0, Standard History A=4.0. Weighted quality points: (5.0×4 + 4.3×3 + 4.7×4 + 3.0×3 + 4.0×3) = 20+12.9+18.8+9+12 = 72.7. Weighted GPA = 72.7 ÷ 17 = 4.28.