Grade Calculator

How a weighted grade is calculated

In a weighted course each assignment, test or exam counts for a share of the final grade. Multiply each score by its weight, add the results and divide by the total weight entered: weighted grade = Σ(score × weight) ÷ Σ(weight). If the weights add up to 100%, this is your final grade. If they add up to less, it is your average on the work counted so far.

Worked example

Your syllabus gives homework 30%, a midterm 20% and a project 10%, and you have scored 88, 92 and 75. Points earned toward the final grade are 88×0.30 + 92×0.20 + 75×0.10 = 26.4 + 18.4 + 7.5 = 52.3 out of the 60 points entered. That makes your grade so far 52.3 ÷ 0.60 = 87.17%.

The final exam is worth the remaining 40%. To finish with a 90 you need (90 − 52.3) ÷ 0.40 = 94.25% on it. For a 95 you would need 106.75%, which is out of reach without extra credit, and the calculator says so.

How to use the calculator

1. Enter one item per line as score, weight. Use percentages for both, such as 88, 30 for a score of 88 in a part worth 30%.
2. If you want to know what you need on the rest of the course, type your target grade.
3. Press Run. You will see the weighted grade so far, the weight entered, the points earned and, with a target, the average needed on the remaining weight.

What you need on the final for different targets

Using the example above (52.3 points from the 60% already counted, 40% remaining):

Each extra five points on your target costs you about twelve and a half points on the final exam, because the exam is only 40% of the course.

Things to keep in mind

• The weights must not add up to more than 100%.
• Weights are percentages of the whole course, not of each other. If the final exam is 40%, the entered items should add up to 60%.
• If your instructor drops the lowest score or curves the grade, do the adjustment yourself before entering the numbers.
• Letter-grade cutoffs differ by course. Check the syllabus for what percentage counts as an A or a B.
• The result is an estimate based on the numbers you enter.

Frequently asked questions

What do I enter for weight?

The percentage of the final course grade that the item is worth, from your syllabus. For example, a midterm worth 20% of the course is 20.

What if my weights add up to less than 100%?

The result is your weighted average on the work counted so far. Add a target grade to see what you need on the remaining weight.

What does an average needed above 100% mean?

The target cannot be reached with scores of 100% on everything left. Choose a lower target or check whether extra credit is available.

Can I mix points and percentages?

Convert every score to a percentage first, for example 45 out of 50 is 90.

Is my data stored?

No. The calculation runs in your browser.