Grade Calculator
Grade = Σ(score × weight) ÷ Σ(weight)
How Course Grade Calculations Work
Most courses do not rely on a single exam score. Instead, instructors weight categories like homework, quizzes, midterms, and finals according to a syllabus breakdown. Your current grade is the weighted average of scores in each category: course grade = Σ(category score × category weight) ÷ Σ(weights). Weights should total 100%, though some syllabi leave a portion unassigned until later in the term.
Consider a course where homework is 20%, quizzes 15%, midterm 25%, and final 40%. If you have 95% on homework, 88% on quizzes, and 82% on the midterm, your current grade before the final is (95×0.20) + (88×0.15) + (82×0.25) = 19 + 13.2 + 20.5 = 52.7 out of the 60% completed so far. Dividing 52.7 by 0.60 gives a running average of 87.8%, which maps to a B+ letter grade.
Tracking your grade throughout the semester prevents surprises on report cards. If your current average is 78% with only the final remaining, you know exactly what score you need to reach your target letter grade. Many students underestimate how much early low quiz scores drag down averages when categories carry equal or higher weights than they expect.
Letter grades derive from percentage cutoffs set by your school or instructor. While the table below shows common U.S. standards, individual professors may curve grades or use different thresholds. Always refer to your syllabus for the authoritative grading scale applied to your course.
| Letter Grade | Percent Range | GPA Points |
|---|---|---|
| A+ / A | 93–100% | 4.0 |
| A- | 90–92% | 3.7 |
| B+ | 87–89% | 3.3 |
| B | 83–86% | 3.0 |
| B- | 80–82% | 2.7 |
| C+ | 77–79% | 2.3 |
| C | 73–76% | 2.0 |
| C- | 70–72% | 1.7 |
| D+ | 67–69% | 1.3 |
| D | 63–66% | 1.0 |
| D- | 60–62% | 0.7 |
| F | Below 60% | 0.0 |
Enter each assignment or category with its score out of 100 and its weight percentage to calculate your running course grade. The calculator returns both the numeric percentage and the corresponding letter grade so you can monitor progress and plan study time before high-stakes assessments.
Examples
| Example | Result |
|---|---|
| HW 95% (20%), Quiz 88% (15%), Mid 82% (25%) | 87.8% (B+) on 60% of grade |
| Participation 100% (10%), Tests 78% (40%) | 83.6% (B) on 50% of grade |
| All categories 90%, equal 25% weights | 90.0% (A-) |
| Lab 100% (15%), Lecture 72% (35%) | 80.4% (B-) on 50% |
| Essays 85% (30%), Exams 70% (30%) | 77.5% (C+) on 60% |
| Projects 92% (50%), Final 88% (50%) | 90.0% (A-) |
| Pop quizzes 65% (10%), Midterm 90% (30%) | 83.75% (B) on 40% |
Frequently asked questions
The calculator still computes a weighted average from entered categories. Weights should total 100% for a complete picture — missing categories mean your grade may change as more scores are added.
Your percentage is compared against standard cutoffs. For example, 87% typically earns a B+ and 93% earns an A, though your syllabus may differ.
Yes. Enter completed categories to see your current standing. Pair with the Final Grade Calculator to find what you need on the final.