Weighted grade calculator
This weighted grade calculator works out your class grade when categories count differently, like homework 20% and exams 50%. Enter each category’s score and weight and it shows your grade so far and the math.
- Works before the final is graded: weights do not need to add to 100
- Shows the weight still to come
- One click to see the final exam score you need
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How to use the weighted grade calculator
- Find the grade weights in your syllabus, such as homework 20%, quizzes 15% and exams 50%.
- For each category, enter your average score in that category as a percent and its weight. Use “Add a category” for more rows.
- Leave the score blank for anything not graded yet, like the final. Its weight is shown as still to come.
- Read your grade so far. If weight is still to come, follow the link to see the score you need on what is left.
The weighted grade formula
A weighted grade multiplies each category’s score by its weight, adds those up and divides by the total weight. Dividing by the weights you actually have scores for gives your grade so far, which is what most online gradebooks show.
weighted grade = (score₁ × weight₁ + score₂ × weight₂ + …) ÷ (weight₁ + weight₂ + …)
When every category is graded and the weights add up to 100, this is simply the sum of score × weight ÷ 100. Weights can be percents or plain numbers; only their sizes relative to each other matter.
Worked example
Your syllabus says homework 20%, quizzes 15%, labs 15%, midterm 25% and final exam 25%. You have 92% on homework, 85% on quizzes, 88% on labs and 78% on the midterm. The final has not happened yet.
- Multiply each score by its weight: 92 × 20 = 1,840, 85 × 15 = 1,275, 88 × 15 = 1,320 and 78 × 25 = 1,950.
- Add them: 1,840 + 1,275 + 1,320 + 1,950 = 6,385.
- Add the weights you have scores for: 20 + 15 + 15 + 25 = 75.
- Divide: 6,385 ÷ 75 = 85.13%, a B so far.
You have banked 63.85 of the 100 course points, and the final is worth the other 25. To finish with a 90% you would need (90 − 63.85) ÷ 0.25 = 104.6% on the final, so an A is out of reach, but 64.6% keeps a B. The final grade calculator does that step for you.
How do you calculate a weighted grade by hand?
Multiply each category average by its weight, add the results, and divide by the sum of the weights. With homework 90% at 40% weight and tests 80% at 60% weight, the grade is (90 × 40 + 80 × 60) ÷ 100 = (3,600 + 4,800) ÷ 100 = 84%. A plain average of 90 and 80 would give 85%, which overstates it because tests count more.
| Category | Score | Weight | Score × weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homework | 90% | 40 | 3,600 |
| Tests | 80% | 60 | 4,800 |
| Total | 100 | 8,400 ÷ 100 = 84% |
Weighted grades vs total points
Some classes skip weights and just add up points: your grade is points earned divided by points possible. In a points class, a 200-point exam counts twice as much as a 100-point exam because it has more points, not because of a category weight. If your syllabus lists categories with percents, use this calculator. If it lists points only, divide your points by the points possible so far.
A category average is itself usually points-based: 46 of 50 homework points is 92% for the homework row.
Which category should I focus on?
The category with the highest weight still ahead moves your grade the most. In the example above, raising the final from 70% to 80% adds 2.5 points to the course grade (10 × 0.25), while raising a 15% category by the same 10 points adds 1.5. When the term ends, the cumulative GPA calculator shows what the class grade does to your GPA.
Common questions
Do my weights need to add up to 100?
No. The calculator divides by the weights you entered scores for, so you can check your grade mid-term. With 75% of the weight graded, it shows your grade on that 75% and lists the other 25% as still to come.
What if a category has no grades yet?
Leave its score blank. A blank category is not counted as zero; its weight shows under “Weight still to come”. Entering 0 would count it as a zero and pull your grade down.
How do I calculate my grade with a final exam worth 30%?
Your grade before the final counts for 70% and the final for 30%. With an 86% so far and 90% on the final: 86 × 0.7 + 90 × 0.3 = 60.2 + 27 = 87.2%.
Is a weighted grade the same as a weighted GPA?
No. A weighted grade combines categories inside one class. A weighted GPA gives extra grade points for honors or AP classes across your whole transcript, so it can go above 4.0.
Why is my weighted grade lower than my average?
Your weaker scores sit in the heavier categories. Homework 95% (20%) and exams 75% (80%) average 85% plainly, but the weighted grade is 95 × 0.2 + 75 × 0.8 = 79%.