UC GPA Calculator
Calculate your University of California GPA — the unique formula UC uses for admissions. Get your Unweighted, Capped Weighted, and Uncapped Weighted GPA instantly.
UC counts 10th and 11th grade academic courses only. AP/IB/Honors = +1 grade point bonus.
10th Grade
11th Grade
How the UC GPA Formula Works
1. Only 10th & 11th Grade
UC only counts academic courses taken in 10th and 11th grade. Freshman year (9th grade) and senior year courses are excluded.
2. Academic Courses Only
Physical Education, health classes, and non-academic electives are excluded. Only UC-approved 'a–g' subject area courses count.
3. Honors Bonus (+1 point)
AP, IB, and UC-certified honors courses get +1 grade point per semester. Capped at 8 semesters total. Uncapped version has no limit.
UC Capped Weighted GPA Formula:
GPA = (Sum of Grade Points + Honors Bonuses, max 8 semesters) ÷ Total Course Units
Where: A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, F=0 · AP/IB/Honors adds +1
Average UC GPA by Campus (Admitted Students)
| UC Campus | Avg Capped Weighted GPA | Competitiveness |
|---|---|---|
| UC Berkeley | ~4.15 | Extremely Competitive |
| UCLA | ~4.18 | Extremely Competitive |
| UC San Diego | ~4.10 | Very Competitive |
| UC Santa Barbara | ~4.03 | Very Competitive |
| UC Irvine | ~3.97 | Competitive |
| UC Davis | ~4.00 | Competitive |
| UC Santa Cruz | ~3.74 | Moderately Competitive |
| UC Riverside | ~3.72 | Accessible |
| UC Merced | ~3.54 | Most Accessible |
Data based on recent UC admissions profiles. GPA ranges reflect middle 50% of admitted students.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UC GPA and how is it different from regular GPA?
The University of California uses a unique GPA formula that only counts 10th and 11th grade academic courses (not PE, health, or electives). It calculates three versions: Unweighted (4.0 scale), Capped Weighted (max 5.0, capped at 8 semesters of honors bonus), and Uncapped Weighted (5.0+ possible with no cap on honors bonuses).
Which GPA does UC use for admissions — capped or uncapped?
UC uses the Capped Weighted GPA for initial admissions review and eligibility. The Uncapped Weighted GPA is used for scholarship consideration at some campuses. UCLA and Berkeley's average admitted student Capped Weighted GPA is around 4.15–4.20.
What courses get the UC honor bonus?
UC adds 1 extra grade point (on a 5.0 scale) for honors-level courses: AP, IB, community college dual enrollment courses, and UC-certified honors courses. The bonus only applies to grades earned in 10th and 11th grade. Up to 8 semesters of honors bonus are counted in the Capped Weighted GPA.
What UC GPA do you need to get into UCLA or Berkeley?
UCLA's average admitted student has a Capped Weighted GPA of about 4.18. UC Berkeley's average is around 4.15. Both schools are highly competitive. For less competitive UC campuses (Merced, Riverside), a 3.5–3.8 Capped Weighted GPA is often sufficient for admission.
Does a D or F in 10th–11th grade affect my UC GPA?
Yes. Any grade earned in an academic course in 10th or 11th grade counts in your UC GPA. A D (1.0) or F (0.0) will significantly lower your UC GPA. The UC has no grade forgiveness policy — all grades count. If you retake a course for a better grade, some UC campuses allow the new grade to replace the old one in GPA calculations.
What is the minimum UC GPA to apply?
California residents need a minimum 3.0 GPA (calculated with the UC formula) to be eligible for UC admission. Non-California residents need a minimum 3.4 GPA. Meeting the minimum doesn't guarantee admission — competitive campuses like UCLA and Berkeley receive far more applicants than they can admit.