For University of California applicants

The UC GPA calculator — capped and a-g aware.

The University of California uses a unique GPA calculation: only a-g approved courses count, honors points are capped at 8 semesters, and the scale has specific rules. Most generic calculators get this wrong. This one is built specifically for UC applicants.

How to use this calculator.

Step by step

Enter a-g courses only.

Non-a-g courses are excluded from UC GPA.

II.

Mark honors/AP courses.

These get the +1.0 bump, capped at 8.

III.

Read your UC GPA.

This is the number UC admissions sees.

Why the easy version.

Four reasons

8-semester honors cap

Accurately limits bonus points as UC requires.

II.

a-g awareness

Built for the UC-specific course framework.

III.

Accurate scale

Uses the UC grading standard, not generic 4.0.

IV.

No signup

Free, instant, no account required.

The math behind it.

UC GPA = standard 4.0 scale with +1.0 for honors/AP/IB courses, capped at 8 semester-long courses. Only a-g approved courses from 10th-11th grade are included in the initial eligibility GPA.

Frequently asked questions.

UC limits honors grade point bumps to 8 semesters of approved courses taken in grades 10-12. Of those 8, a maximum of 4 can be from 10th grade.

The UC system requires courses in 7 subject areas (labeled a through g): history, English, math, science, foreign language, visual/performing arts, and college prep electives.

UC recalculates using only a-g courses, applies their own honors cap, and uses grades from 10th and 11th grade only for initial eligibility.

Transferable community college courses taken in the summer can count toward a-g requirements and UC GPA, but check with UC directly.

CSU uses a similar a-g framework but may have different honors caps and eligibility rules. This calculator is UC-specific.