How It Works

Grade calculation uses weighted averages. Each assignment contributes to your final grade based on its weight (percentage of the total grade). The math is straightforward once you understand the pattern.

Here’s the formula:

The calculator multiplies each assignment score by its weight, adds them all together, then divides by the total weight of all completed assignments. If you enter a target grade and final exam weight, it works backwards to tell you exactly what score you need.

The key is that weights must add up to 100% total. If you’ve completed assignments worth 80% of your grade, your current grade is based on just those assignments. The final exam (the remaining 20%) will pull your grade up or down depending on how you do.

When You Need This Calculator

Planning Your Study Time

You have three assignments due and a final exam coming up. If you know what you scored on the first two assignments and their weights, you can calculate what you need on the third assignment and the final to hit your target grade. This helps you prioritize which subjects need more study time.

Understanding Where You Stand

Halfway through the semester, you want to know your actual grade, not just a vague sense of how you’re doing. Add your completed assignments with their weights and see your real current grade. This is especially important in classes where assignments have very different weights (like when a final project is worth 40% of your grade).

Deciding If You Can Skip the Final

Some courses let you skip the final if you’re above a certain grade. Enter your current assignments and the final weight, then set your target to the minimum passing grade. If the calculator says you need less than 0% on the final, you’re already safe. If it says you need 30%, you probably can’t skip (but you have some room for error).

Checking Syllabus Math

Sometimes professors make mistakes when calculating final grades, especially in classes with lots of assignments. Use this calculator with your syllabus to verify that the grade posted matches what you actually earned. Bring the calculation to office hours if there’s a discrepancy.

Common Questions Students Ask

What if my weights don’t add up to 100%?

That’s normal if you haven’t finished all assignments yet. The calculator divides by the total weight you’ve entered, not by 100. So if you’ve only completed assignments worth 60% of your grade, your current grade is calculated out of that 60%. The remaining 40% will change your final grade when those assignments are graded.

Can I calculate with different grading scales?

Yes, but enter everything as percentages. If an assignment is graded out of 50 points and you got 42, convert it first: (42 ÷ 50) × 100 = 84%. Then enter 84 as the score. The calculator works with percentages only, so you need to convert points to percentages before entering them.

What if the calculator says I need more than 100% on the final?

It means your target grade is mathematically impossible given your current scores and the final exam weight. Either your current grades are too low, or the final isn’t worth enough to pull you up to your target. You need to either lower your target or see if there’s extra credit available.

Should I include assignments I haven’t done yet?

No, only enter completed assignments where you know the score. If you want to project future grades, you can run multiple scenarios. Calculate your current grade with completed work, then add hypothetical future assignments with estimated scores to see how different outcomes would affect your final grade.

How do I handle extra credit?

Add extra credit as a separate assignment with its own weight. If extra credit adds 2% to your final grade, enter it as an assignment with 2% weight and 100% score (assuming you got full credit). This increases your total weight above 100%, which is fine. The calculator handles it correctly.

What about curved grades?

This calculator shows your raw numerical grade. If your professor curves grades at the end of the semester, you’ll need to apply that curve separately. Use this calculator to find your numerical score, then check the syllabus or ask your professor how the curve works. Some curves are applied to individual assignments, others to the final grade.

Grade Scale Reference

Here’s the standard letter grade scale used in most US schools and universities:

Keep in mind that some schools use different scales. Some consider 90-100% as an A without the A- distinction. Others might have a stricter scale where 94-100% is an A. Check your syllabus for the specific scale your course uses. The calculator shows both the numerical percentage and the letter grade based on this standard scale.