UC GPA Calculator
Calculate your GPA the way the University of California does. Supports UC Capped Weighted, Uncapped Weighted, and Unweighted GPA with full a-g course validation.
What is a good UC GPA?
A UC capped weighted GPA of 3.5+ is competitive for most UC campuses. For UC Berkeley and UCLA, aim for 4.0+ capped weighted. The UC system average for admitted students is around 3.7.
How the UC GPA System Works
The University of California uses its own GPA calculation system that differs from most high schools. If you're applying to UC Berkeley, UCLA, UC San Diego, UC Davis, or any other UC campus, understanding this system is critical.
UC calculates three different GPAs from your transcript. Our GPA calculator computes all three automatically when you select any UC school as your target.
UC Capped Weighted GPA
This is the primary GPA used for UC admissions eligibility screening. It gives a +1.0 boost for UC-approved honors courses but caps the total bonus at 8 semesters, with no more than 4 from 10th grade.
- Only a-g approved courses count
- Only grades from 10th and 11th grade are included
- No plus/minus — A+, A, and A- all count as 4.0
- +1.0 boost for AP, IB, and UC-approved honors courses
- Maximum 8 semester courses with honors boost (max 4 from 10th grade)
UC Uncapped Weighted GPA
Same rules as the capped version, but without any limit on the number of honors points. Every eligible honors course gets the +1.0 boost. Some UC campuses use this alongside the capped GPA during holistic review.
UC Unweighted GPA
A straight 4.0 scale with no course type boosts and no plus/minus distinctions. Only a-g courses from 10th and 11th grade count. This gives UC a baseline view of your academic performance.
What Are a-g Courses?
The UC system requires courses in seven specific subject areas, labeled (a) through (g):
| Category | Subject | Years Required |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | History / Social Science | 2 years |
| (b) | English | 4 years |
| (c) | Mathematics | 3 years |
| (d) | Lab Science | 2 years |
| (e) | Language Other Than English | 2 years |
| (f) | Visual / Performing Arts | 1 year |
| (g) | College-Prep Elective | 1 year |
Only courses that are a-g approved by UC count toward your UC GPA. Our calculator lets you mark each course as a-g or not.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good UC GPA?
A UC capped weighted GPA of 3.5 or above is competitive for most UC campuses. For UC Berkeley and UCLA, you typically need a 4.0+ capped weighted GPA. The UC system average for admitted students is around 3.7 capped weighted.
Does UC use weighted or unweighted GPA?
UC calculates three GPAs: UC Capped Weighted (primary for eligibility), UC Uncapped Weighted, and UC Unweighted. The capped weighted GPA is most commonly cited, which adds up to 8 semesters of +1.0 honors boosts on a 4.0 base scale.
Which grades does UC look at?
UC only uses grades from 10th and 11th grade in a-g approved courses. 9th grade and 12th grade courses are not included in the UC GPA calculation, though 12th grade courses are reviewed for eligibility.
Do UC schools look at plus/minus grades?
No. The UC system does not distinguish between plus and minus grades. An A+, A, and A- are all worth 4.0 points. A B+, B, and B- are all worth 3.0 points.
What is the difference between UC capped and uncapped GPA?
UC Capped Weighted GPA limits honors course boosts to 8 semesters (max 4 from 10th grade). UC Uncapped Weighted GPA applies the +1.0 boost to all eligible honors courses with no limit. Both only count a-g courses from 10th and 11th grade.
Calculate Your UC GPA Now
Select any UC campus as your target college and see your Capped, Uncapped, and Unweighted GPA calculated instantly.
Open the CalculatorLast updated: February 2026