Weighted Grade Calculator

A weighted grade is a way of combining different parts of a class—homework, quizzes, projects, exams—so that some pieces count more than others. Instead of taking a simple average of every score, each category gets a weight based on how important it is in the syllabus. For example, exams might be 50% of the grade, homework 30%, and quizzes 20%.

In a weighted system, a 10-point homework assignment does not carry the same impact as a 100-point final. What matters is the percentage inside each category and how much that category is worth overall. This calculator mirrors that idea by asking for a category percent (either from points or entered directly) and then multiplying it by the category's weight.

Common grading categories you might see

Many instructors group grades into a small set of buckets, such as:

• Homework or problem sets
• Quizzes or short checks for understanding
• Tests or unit exams
• Final exam or project
• Participation, attendance, or discussion

The exact weights differ by class, which is why you should always copy the numbers directly from your syllabus rather than guessing. If your instructor lists a category you do not care about yet (for example, a final exam you have not taken), you can leave that category at 0% until you have scores to plug in.

Why the weights should usually add up to 100%

In most classes, all of the category weights together add up to 100%. That makes it easier to read the syllabus and to understand what your current percentage means. This calculator warns you when your weights do not sum to 100%, but it will still compute a result based on what you enter so you can experiment with different setups.

Occasionally, instructors intentionally leave some percentage unassigned because of optional assignments or extra credit. In those cases, it can make sense for your weights to add up to less than 100% until the end of the term. If you are not sure whether that applies, ask your instructor or TA.

Reading letter grades and planning ahead

The letter grade estimate in this tool uses a simple scale—A for 90 and up, B for 80–89.9, C for 70–79.9, D for 60–69.9, and F below 60. That matches many classes but not all of them. Some courses curve grades, others set different cutoffs, and some use pass/fail rules instead. Treat the letter here as a rough label, not a guarantee of what will appear on your transcript.

The what-if section is useful when you are deciding how much to aim for on a future exam or project. Choose the exam category, plug in a hypothetical percentage, and see how your overall grade would change. This can help you decide where to focus effort or whether a single assignment is worth chasing extra credit on.

Limitations and double-checking

This calculator does not know about special rules like dropping the lowest quiz, replacing your midterm with your final if it is higher, or weighting lab sections differently from lecture. To account for those, you will need to adjust the points or percentages you enter so they match your instructor's policy. Always compare your calculations against what your school's learning management system shows, and ask your instructor if something looks off.

If you are balancing grades with the rest of life, you might also find tools like the Team Randomizer helpful for group projects or the Random Meal Generator for deciding what to eat when you are studying late.

Always treat this as an unofficial estimate. Your instructor, syllabus, and official gradebook are the final sources of truth for your course grade.