What is a weighted grade?

A weighted grade is an average in which some scores count more than others. In most courses the final exam is worth more than a single quiz, and a big project is worth more than one homework sheet. The teacher sets a percentage for each part, called its weight, and your course grade is built from those weights. A weighted grade calculator does the multiplication and adding for you, so you can see where you stand before the term ends.

A simple average treats every score the same. If you scored 100 on a quiz worth 5% of the grade and 60 on a midterm worth 40%, a simple average says 80, but the real result is much closer to the midterm. That difference is why students who only average their scores often get a grade that is too high or too low.

The weighted grade formula

Multiply each score by its weight, add those products together, and divide by the total of the weights:

Weighted grade = (score 1 × weight 1 + score 2 × weight 2 + …) ÷ (weight 1 + weight 2 + …)

If the weights already add up to 100%, you can skip the division, because the total weight is 100. If you have only finished part of the course, the calculator divides by the weight entered so far, which shows your grade on the work graded to date. The same idea is used by universities when they average course results, as in the guides linked at the bottom of this page.

How to use this calculator

1. Type each score as a percentage in the Score box. If your teacher uses points, divide your points by the total points and multiply by 100 first.
2. Type how much that item counts in the Weight box, for example 20 for 20%.
3. Leave unused rows empty. You can enter up to six items. If a category has many scores, such as ten quizzes, average them first and enter the result once.
4. Press Calculate to see your weighted grade, letter grade and total weight.
5. To plan your final exam, use the second card. Enter your current grade, the weight of the final and the grade you want.

Worked example

Say your course has four graded parts so far. Homework scored 90 and counts 20%. Quizzes scored 85 and count 15%. The midterm scored 78 and counts 25%. The project scored 92 and counts 15%.

Item	Score	Weight	Score × weight
Homework	90	20%	1,800
Quizzes	85	15%	1,275
Midterm	78	25%	1,950
Project	92	15%	1,380
Total		75%	6,405

Divide 6,405 by 75 and you get 85.4%. That is your grade on the 75% of the course that has been graded. The remaining 25% is still to come, so this number can still move up or down.

What do I need on the final exam?

This is the question students ask most near the end of a term. The formula is:

Needed score = (target grade − current grade × (1 − final weight)) ÷ final weight

Here the final weight is written as a decimal, so 30% is 0.30. For example, if your current grade is 85%, the final is worth 30% and you want 88%, the calculation is (88 − 85 × 0.70) ÷ 0.30 = (88 − 59.5) ÷ 0.30 = 95%. If the answer is above 100, the target needs extra credit or is out of reach, and it may be better to aim for a slightly lower grade.

Typical grading scale

Schools differ, so check your syllabus. The table below shows the common percentage scale used in many U.S. classes, which the calculator uses for the letter grade.

Percentage	Letter grade	Meaning
90 to 100	A	Excellent
80 to 89	B	Good
70 to 79	C	Satisfactory
60 to 69	D	Passing, below average
Below 60	F	Not passing

Weighted grade and GPA are different

A weighted course grade shows how you did in one class. A grade point average, or GPA, combines many classes. GPA is also a weighted average, but the weights are credit hours: a 4-credit course counts more than a 2-credit course. Some high schools also add extra points for honors or advanced classes, which is called a weighted GPA. This calculator is for the grade inside one course. To combine courses, multiply each grade point by its credits, add them up and divide by the total credits.

Tips to raise your grade

• Find the heavy items. A 40% exam moves your grade four times as much as a 10% quiz, so put your study time where the weight is.
• Check the syllabus early. Weights are usually listed there. Some teachers drop the lowest quiz score, so ask.
• Run the numbers during the term. Calculate your grade after each major test so there are no surprises at the end.
• Set a realistic target. Use the final exam card to see whether a goal is possible before you plan your study schedule.
• Ask about extra credit. A few extra points can help most when you are close to a grade boundary.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Using points as percentages. A score of 42 out of 50 is 84%, not 42.
• Weights that do not add up. If you enter every graded item and the total is not 100%, you may have missed a category or mistyped a weight.
• Averaging categories by hand. Average the scores inside a category first, then weight the category once.
• Rounding too early. Keep decimals until the end. Rounding each step can change your final grade by a point or more.

Using weights to plan your semester

Weights are not only for checking a grade after the fact. They help you decide how to spend your time. Before the term starts, list every graded item with its weight and add the dates to your calendar. Items worth 20% or more deserve several study sessions, while a 2% quiz deserves a short review. Check your grade every few weeks with this calculator, and if you fall behind, you will see early enough to ask your teacher for help.

Frequently asked questions

How do I calculate a weighted average?

Multiply each score by its weight, add the results, and divide by the total weight. The calculator above does this for you, and it also shows the total weight so you can check your inputs.

What if my weights do not add up to 100%?

The calculator still works. It divides by the total weight you entered, so the result is your grade on the work graded so far. When all parts of the course are entered, the total should be 100%.

Can a score be above 100%?

Yes. If your teacher gives extra credit, you can enter a score above 100, up to 1000. The calculator accepts it.

Is this a GPA calculator?

No. It calculates the grade in one course. GPA combines many courses using credit hours, as explained above.

Is my information saved?

No. All calculations happen in your browser. Your scores and weights are never sent to our server or stored.

Helpful resources

• Weighted Averages from the University of British Columbia Okanagan calendar, showing how a university averages grades
• How do I calculate a weighted average? from the University of Groningen
• Our Percentage Calculator and Scientific Calculator

This calculator provides estimates for general information only. Your school or teacher decides the official grade and grading scale. See our Terms & Disclaimer.