Calculate your weighted average grade for any class
Assignments
Breakdown
Most college courses use weighted grading, where different assignments contribute different percentages to your final grade. A typical structure might be: homework 20%, midterm 30%, final exam 40%, participation 10%. Your final grade is the weighted average of all these components, not a simple average of every score.
The weighted average formula is: Final Grade = Σ(Score% × Weight) ÷ Σ(Weights). For example, if your midterm is 78% (weight 30%) and your final is 85% (weight 40%): (78 × 30 + 85 × 40) ÷ 70 = 82.3%.
| Percentage | Letter | GPA Points |
|---|---|---|
| 97–100% | A+ | 4.0 |
| 93–96% | A | 4.0 |
| 90–92% | A− | 3.7 |
| 87–89% | B+ | 3.3 |
| 83–86% | B | 3.0 |
| 80–82% | B− | 2.7 |
| 77–79% | C+ | 2.3 |
| 73–76% | C | 2.0 |
| 70–72% | C− | 1.7 |
| 67–69% | D+ | 1.3 |
| 63–66% | D | 1.0 |
| 60–62% | D− | 0.7 |
| Below 60% | F | 0.0 |
Scales vary by institution. Always confirm the grading scale in your course syllabus.
How do I calculate my grade with weights?
Multiply each assignment's percentage score by its weight, add them all up, then divide by the total weight. For example, if your midterm (30% weight) is 78% and your final (40% weight) is 85%: (78×30 + 85×40) / 70 = 82.3%.
What is a weighted grade?
A weighted grade accounts for the fact that different assignments contribute different proportions to your final grade. A final exam worth 40% of your grade impacts your final score more than a homework assignment worth 10%.
How do I calculate what I need on my final exam?
Use the formula: Required score = (Target grade − current grade × (1 − exam weight)) / exam weight. For example, if you need a 90% overall, your current grade is 85% (worth 70%), and the final is worth 30%: (90 − 85 × 0.7) / 0.3 = (90 − 59.5) / 0.3 = 101.7%. If the result is over 100%, the target may not be achievable.
What is the difference between a grade calculator and a GPA calculator?
A grade calculator finds your average score within a single course (combining assignments, tests, and projects). A GPA calculator combines letter grades across multiple courses, weighted by credit hours, to produce a 4.0-scale GPA.
What is 90% in letter grade?
In the standard US grading scale, 90–92% is an A−, 93–96% is an A, and 97–100% is an A+. Some schools use a different scale (e.g., 90% = A rather than A−). Check your syllabus to confirm your instructor's scale.
How are grades weighted by professors?
Professors typically list weights in the course syllabus. Common structures: exams 60–70%, homework/labs 20–30%, participation 5–10%. Some use point-based systems rather than percentages — convert by dividing each item's points by total points possible.
Can I calculate my grade without weights?
Yes — if all assignments count equally, toggle off "Use weights" and the calculator will find your simple average: sum all scores, divide by the number of assignments.
How many points do I need to raise my grade?
The impact of a single assignment depends on its weight. A 10-point bonus on an assignment worth 5% of your grade only moves your final grade by 0.5%. Focus your energy on high-weight items like finals and midterms.
Weighted average = Σ(percentage score × weight) ÷ Σ(weights). Percentage score for each item = (score ÷ max score) × 100. Unweighted mode treats all items equally (weight = 1). Letter grades follow the standard plus/minus scale used by most US universities. GPA equivalents follow the 4.0 scale as defined by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO).
Share your thoughts
Help us improve The Free Calculator Site