Course grade tool
Grade Calculator
Combine homework, quiz, exam, and project weights into one course grade — then send the result to the Final Grade Calculator to plan your exam.
Grading mode
Leave "points possible" empty for categories with nothing graded yet — they stay out of your current average instead of dragging it down.
Nothing graded yet
Graded weight
0.0%
Guaranteed minimum
—
Calculation Guide
How to calculate a course grade with weighted categories
Most courses split the grade across categories such as homework, quizzes, exams, and a final. Each category counts for a percentage of the total, so a strong homework average cannot fully offset weak exam scores.
This calculator combines your category weights and points into a current grade, shows what each category contributes, and reports a guaranteed minimum — the grade you keep even with a zero on everything still ungraded.
How to use the calculator
- 1
Copy the syllabus weights
Enter each grading category with its weight. The weights must total 100%; use the normalize button if they do not.
- 2
Enter points earned and possible
Use totals from your gradebook. Leave possible points empty for categories with nothing graded yet.
- 3
Read the breakdown
Check the current grade, the guaranteed minimum, and which categories carry the most weight.
GPA formula
Current grade = Σ (category percentage × category weight) ÷ graded weight
Ungraded categories are excluded from the average rather than counted as zero, so mid-semester results are not artificially low. The guaranteed minimum treats every ungraded category as a zero.
Weighted grade example
Homework is worth 20% with a 90% average, and exams are worth 80% with an 80% average:
| Category | Weight | Category grade | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homework | 20% | 90% | 18.0 |
| Exams | 80% | 80% | 64.0 |
The current grade is 18.0 + 64.0 = 82.0%, a B- on common letter cutoffs.
Common percentage-to-letter cutoffs (vary by school)
| Letter | Minimum % | Letter | Minimum % |
|---|---|---|---|
| A+ | 97 | C+ | 77 |
| A | 93 | C | 73 |
| A- | 90 | C- | 70 |
| B+ | 87 | D+ | 67 |
| B | 83 | D / D- | 63 / 60 |
| B- | 80 | F | below 60 |
Before relying on the numbers
- Syllabus policies such as dropped lowest scores or curves change the result; enter the adjusted totals.
- Letter-grade cutoffs differ between schools — confirm yours before converting a percentage.
- Use the Final Grade Calculator next to find the exam score needed for a target course grade.
Frequently asked questions
What if my weights do not add up to 100%?
The calculator flags the total and offers a normalize button that scales every category proportionally to 100%.
Should ungraded categories count as zero?
For a mid-semester average, no — they are excluded. The guaranteed minimum shows the zero-everything-remaining floor so you can see both views.
How is this different from GPA?
A course grade is a percentage or letter in one class. GPA averages the grade points from many courses, weighted by credits.
Does points-based grading use weights?
No. In a pure points course, every point is worth the same: divide total earned by total possible. Use the points-based mode for that.