GWA Calculator Philippines
GWA Calculator
Enter your subjects below
Manually computing GWA often leads to mistakes, wrong results, and wasted time. One small error in calculation can give you a completely different GWA—and that can affect important decisions about your academic standing and future opportunities. That’s why we created this GWA Calculator for students in the Philippines.
Our calculator helps you quickly, accurately, and reliably compute your GWA by simply entering your subjects, grades, and credit units. No complex math, no confusion—just instant results you can trust, giving you peace of mind about your academic performance.
What is GWA, or general weighted average?
GWA means general weighted average, which is a number that shows how well a student is doing in all subjects combined. Schools and universities in the Philippines use it to check students’ overall academic performance.
GWA is not a simple average of grades. Each subject has a grade and a credit unit:
Subjects with more credit units affect your GWA more than subjects with fewer units. It is important because it is used for honors, awards, college admission, scholarship, financial aid, and academic standing. Many schools in the Philippines require a minimum GPA to qualify for scholarships, top programs, and graduation honors.
In addition, government scholarship programs such as CHED and DOST often require students to maintain a specific GWA range to remain eligible for continued financial support.
🏆
Honors & Awards
GWA determines your eligibility for academic distinctions and recognition
🎓
College Admission
Many top programs require a specific GWA for enrollment eligibility
💰
Scholarships
Government programs like CHED and DOST require specific GWA ranges
👉
Lower GWA = Better Grades
1.00 is the highest possible grade
👉
Higher GWA = Weaker Grades
5.00 is a failing grade
📚 What Are Credit Units?
Credit units show how big or important a subject is. Bigger subjects get more units, smaller ones get fewer. Subjects with more units affect your GWA more.
📐
Math
3 units
📖
English
3 units
🏃
PE
1 unit
Steps for Using Our Free GWA Calculator Online
Our GWA calculator works for most Philippine universities like Pisay (PSHS), BulSU, UST (MyUSTe), Bicol University, CLSU, PUP, and many more— follow the steps:
1
Enter Your Subjects
You will see Subject 1, Subject 2, and Subject 3 by default.
If you have more subjects, click “Add Subject”.
2
Enter the Units and Grade
For each subject, type the credit units.
(example: 1, 2, 3, or 4).
3
Remove Extra Subjects (Optional)
If you added a subject by mistake, click the ❌ (X) icon to remove it.
4
Click Calculate GWA
After entering all units and grades, click the “Calculate GWA” button.
5
View Your GWA Result
🎉 Your GWA result will be shown instantly.
Formula – The Math Behind GWA
The Formula behind this GWA Calculator is very simple and logical. It is calculated by summing your grades and credit units for each subject, then dividing by the total credit units.
GWA Formula
The formula used to calculate GWA is:
The sum of all grades multiplied by their units, divided by the total number of units
Meaning of Each Term
How to Calculate GWA Manually?
If you know your final grades and credit units, you can simply follow these steps to calculate GWA manually:
Step 1
Multiply Grade and Units
For each subject, multiply the grade by the number of units.
Step 2
Add All Results
Add all the values you got from Step 1
Step 3
Add Total Units
Add the credit units of all subjects.
Step 4
Divide
Divide the total from Step 2 by the total units from Step 3. 🎉 The final number is your GWA.
📝 Simple Example
|
Subject |
Grade |
Units |
Grade × Units |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Math |
2.00 |
3 |
6.00 |
|
English |
1.75 |
3 |
5.25 |
|
PE |
1.50 |
1 |
1.50 |
|
Total |
— |
7 |
12.75 |
GWA Calculation:
GWA = 12.75 ÷ 7 = 1.82
Methods of GWA Computation
Different schools and universities in the Philippines use different ways to calculate GWA. The methods are often based on your school’s grading system and requirements.
Below are the most common methods of GWA computation, explained in a simple way.
1
Basic Average Method
This is the simplest method.
You calculate GWA by:
- Adding all your grades
- Dividing the total by the number of subjects
📌 This method does not consider units or subject importance, so it is rarely used by universities.
Example:
If you have 3 subjects with grades 2.0, 1.75, and 2.25:
GWA = (2.0 + 1.75 + 2.25) ÷ 3
2
Weighted Average Method (Most Common)
This is the standard method used by most Philippine universities.
In this method:
- Each subject has credit units
- Subjects with more units have a greater impact on GWA.
You calculate GWA by:
- Multiplying each grade by its units
- Adding all results
- Dividing by total units
📌 This method is more accurate and fair. It helps you to find your GWA.
3
Percentage-Based Method
Some schools report grades as percentages (e.g., 85%, 90%).
In this method:
- You multiply each percentage grade by its units
- Add all values
- Divide by total units..
📌 The final result is a percentage-based GWA.
This method is often used in:
- High school systems
- Institutions that use marks out of 100
4
Cumulative GWA Method
The Cumulative GWA Method is used when you want to calculate your GWA for multiple semesters or years.
Instead of calculating for a single semester, this method combines all subjects across all semesters.
- Adds all (grade × units) from all semesters
- Divides by total units from all semesters
📌 This is the official method used by most universities.
5
Adjusted GWA Method
The Adjusted GWA Method is used when:
- A subject is repeated
- A grade is replaced
- Some subjects are excluded.
- Extra credits are added.
Some schools allow adjustments due to:
- Honors
- Retaken subjects
- School-specific policies
📌 This method updates your GWA after applying adjustments.
How to Compute GWA?
The way you compute GWA depends on whether you are a high school student or a college student.
- High school → simple average
- College/university → weighted average using credit units
Let’s explain both in an easy way.
🏫 How to Compute GWA for High School Students?
In high school, all subjects are treated equally.
This means no credit units are used.
Formula:
GWA = (Sum of all grades) ÷ (Number of subjects)
📝 Simple Example
|
Subject |
Grade |
|---|---|
|
Math |
85 |
|
English |
90 |
|
PE |
88 |
|
History |
82 |
GWA = (85 + 90 + 88 + 82) ÷ 4 = 1.82
✅ Your GWA is 86.25
GWA Calculation for One Semester (College)
Formula:
GWA = (Sum of Grade × Units) ÷ (Total Units)
Example (One Semester):
|
Subject |
Grade |
Units |
|---|---|---|
|
Math |
1.75 |
4 |
|
English |
2.00 |
3 |
|
PE |
1.50 |
5 |
|
History |
2.25 |
3 |
|
Economics |
1.25 |
2 |
Step 1: Multiply grade × units
- Math → 1.75 × 4 = 7.00
- English → 2.00 × 3 = 6.00
- Science → 1.50 × 5 = 7.50
- History → 2.25 × 3 = 6.75
- Economics → 1.25 × 2 = 2.50
Step 2: Add weighted grades
Total = 29.75
Step 3: Add units
Total Units = 17
Step 4: Divide
GWA = 29.75 ÷ 17 = 1.75
✅ Your semester GWA is 1.75
📊 GWA for Entire Academic Year / Graduate Students
This method is used when you want to calculate GWA for:
- Two semesters
- Full academic year
- Graduate studies
Steps:
Formula:
GWA = (Total Grade × Units from all semesters) ÷ (Total Units)
Example (Two Semesters Combined)
After calculating all subjects from both semesters
- Total weighted grades = 44.5
- Total units = 25
GWA = 44.5 ÷ 25 = 1.78
✅ Your cumulative GWA is 1.78
If you don’t understand the process, you can watch this video to understand it better:
Types of GWA Calculators
There are three main types of GWA calculators students use to compute their General Weighted Average. Each has a different purpose, but some are more convenient than others.
✅ Most Recommended
🌐 Online GWA Calculator (Best Choice)
An online GWA calculator is a web-based tool that works with an internet connection.
Why students prefer it:
- Free and easy to use
- Accessible anywhere
- No technical skills needed
- Supports different GWA methods
- Can convert GWA to GPA or percentage
- Often customized for Philippine schools.
✅ Most convenient, fast, and accurate option
📱 Offline GWA Calculator
An offline GWA calculator is an app or software installed on your device.
Key points:
- Works without internet
- Available on Android and Windows
- Similar features to online calculators
⚠️ Useful when there’s no internet, but less flexible.
📝 Manual GWA Calculator
This method uses math formulas to calculate GWA by hand.
Important notes:
- No device or internet needed
- Time-consuming
- Higher chance of mistakes
⚠️ Best used only when no calculator is available.
What Is Considered a Good GWA Score?
A good GWA score depends on the standards set by each school or university in the Philippines. There is no single GWA value that applies to all institutions. However, in general, a lower GWA means better academic performance.
|
GWA Range |
Rating |
Indicator |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 – 1.50 |
Excellent |
🌟 |
|
1.51 – 1.75 |
Very Good |
👍 |
|
1.76 – 2.00 |
Good |
🙂 |
|
2.01 – 3.00 |
Passed |
✅ |
|
Above 3.00 |
Needs Improvement |
❌ |
Note: GWA scales may vary between institutions. Always refer to your school’s official grading system for accurate interpretation.
Converting GWA to Other Systems
Sometimes, students need to convert their GWA into other grading systems, such as GPA or percentage. This is common when applying for scholarships, jobs, or universities abroad.
Because different countries and institutions use different grading systems, conversion helps others understand your academic performance more easily.
Convert GWA to GPA
GPA (Grade Point Average) is commonly used in the United States and other countries, while GWA is used in the Philippines.
The main difference:
- GWA → lower number is better
- GPA → higher number is better
Formula:
GPA = 4.0 − ((GWA − 1.0) × 4.0 / (5.0 − 1.0))
If you don’t want to compute it manually, you can use our GWA to GPA Converter Calculator for instant and accurate conversion results.
A common way to convert GWA to GPA is by using a linear scale.
- 1.00 GWA ≈ 4.00 GPA
- 2.00 GWA ≈ 3.00 GPA
- 3.00 GWA ≈ 2.00 GPA
- 4.00 GWA ≈ 1.00 GPA
- 5.00 GWA ≈ 0.00 GPA
GWA to Percentage Conversion
Some schools and employers prefer grades in percentage form instead of GWA. To convert GWA into a percentage, a linear scale is usually applied where:
- 1.00 GWA = 100%
- 5.00 GWA = 0%
Formula:
Percentage = ((5.0 − GWA) / (5.0 − 1.0)) × 100
If you prefer a faster method, you can use our GWA to Percentage Conversion calculator to instantly convert your GWA into a percentage without manual computation.
Simple Example
If your GWA is 2.50, your percentage grade will be approximately:
👉 62.5%
GWA vs GPA vs Percentage: Key Differences
GWA (General Weighted Average)
GPA (Grade Point Average)
Percentage (%)
Calculating a Weighted Average in Excel or Google Sheets
You can calculate GWA (weighted average) easily in Excel or Google Sheets using the SUMPRODUCT formula.
This method is accurate and works for any number of subjects.
Step 1: Enter Your Data
|
Cell |
Value |
|---|---|
|
B3 (Units) |
3 |
|
B4 (Units) |
3 |
|
B5 (Units) |
1 |
|
C3 (Grade) |
2.00 |
|
C4 (Grade) |
1.75 |
|
C5 (Grade) |
1.50 |
Step 2: Enter the Formula
In any empty cell, type:
=SUMPRODUCT(B3:B5,C3:C5) / SUM(B3:B5)
SUMPRODUCT multiplies grades and units, then adds them. SUM adds all the units. The division gives the final weighted average (GWA).
Step 3: Result
Result: 1.82
✅ This is your GWA / weighted average.
To access this Google Sheet, click here.
Special Cases That Affect Your GWA
In some situations, your General Weighted Average (GWA) may change depending on school rules or special academic conditions.
Understanding these cases helps you avoid confusion and track your real academic standing more accurately.
📋
1. Dropped Subjects (DRP)
If you drop a subject before the official deadline, it is usually marked as DRP on your record.
Most universities do not include dropped subjects in GWA computation, but policies may vary by school.
Always check your registrar’s rules to be sure.
⏳
2. Incomplete Grades (INC)
An INC (Incomplete) grade means you still need to finish requirements such as exams, projects, or papers.
While the grade is incomplete:
- It may not yet be counted in your GWA
- Your final GWA can change once the INC is completed.
After you submit the missing work, the INC is replaced with a final grade that will then affect your GWA.
🔄
3. Retaken or Repeated Subjects
If you retake a failed or low-grade subject, schools may apply different rules:
- Some universities replace the old grade with the new one
- Others include both grades in the calculation.
Because of this, repeating a subject can either improve or slightly change your overall GWA depending on institutional policy.
🏃
4. Non-Credit Subjects (PE, NSTP, etc.)
Certain subjects, such as Physical Education (PE) or NSTP, may have:
- No credit units, or
- Limited effect on GWA
At many Philippine universities, non-credit courses do not significantly affect the final GWA, though this varies by school.
🏅
5. Honors, Adjustments, or School Policies
Some institutions apply special adjustments that can influence GWA, such as:
- Academic honors or bonus credits
- Curriculum-based exclusions
- Program-specific grading rules
These adjustments are school-dependent, so your official transcript or registrar remains the final authority.
GWA FAQs
Conclusion
GWA is an important measure used by schools in the Philippines to assess a student’s overall academic performance. It considers both grades and credit units, so major subjects have a bigger impact than minor ones.
Knowing how GWA works helps you plan for honors, scholarships, and college requirements. To avoid confusion and mistakes, using an online GWA calculator is the easiest and most accurate way to compute your GWA and track your academic progress.