How do weighted grades work?

Weighted grades assign different importance to assignments based on their category. For example, exams might count 40%, homework 30%, and projects 30% of your final grade. A 90% on an exam (40% weight) contributes more than a 90% on homework (30% weight). The weighted average multiplies each grade by its weight, sums them, and divides by total weight.

The GPA (Grade Point Average) scale typically ranges from 0 to 4.0, where A=4.0, B=3.0, C=2.0, D=1.0, and F=0. Some schools use variations like 4.3 for A+ or weighted GPAs for honors classes. Our calculator uses the standard 4.0 scale.

How do I convert letter grades to percentages?

Common conversions are: A = 90-100% (typically 95%), B = 80-89% (typically 85%), C = 70-79% (typically 75%), D = 60-69% (typically 65%), F = below 60% (typically 55%). Our calculator automatically converts between formats when you switch grade types.

What if my assignment weights don't add up to 100%?

Our calculator handles this automatically. It calculates the weighted average based on the relative proportions of your entered weights. For example, if you've only entered assignments totaling 60% weight, it calculates your grade based on those 60% - useful for mid-semester grade checks.

How do I calculate what grade I need on my final?

Enter all your current assignments with their grades and weights. Leave the final exam with your desired grade (like 90%) and adjust until your final grade reaches your target. Or work backwards: if you need a B (80%) overall and your current weighted average is 75% with 30% of your grade remaining, you need to score higher on the final to pull up your average.

Is this grade calculator free?

Yes, our grade calculator is completely free with no signup required. All calculations happen locally in your browser. No data is sent to our servers, so your grades remain private.

Grade Calculator | Free Weighted Average & GPA Calculator

What is a Weighted Grade Calculator?

A weighted grade calculator computes your overall grade by considering the relative importance (weight) of each assignment. Unlike simple averages where every grade counts equally, weighted averages reflect that exams typically count more than homework, and projects may count more than quizzes. Our calculator supports percentages, letter grades, and GPA scale to match your course format.

Why Use Our Grade Calculator?

Multiple Grade Formats: Switch between percentage, letter grades (A-F), and GPA (0-4.0)
Weighted Calculations: Assign different weights to assignments, exams, and projects
Real-Time Results: See your grade update instantly as you enter data
Unlimited Assignments: Add as many assignments as your course requires
100% Private: All calculations happen in your browser - no data sent to servers

Understanding Weighted Grades

What is a Weight? The weight represents what percentage of your final grade that category contributes. If exams are worth 40% of your grade, each exam's weight should reflect that.

Example Calculation: If you have a 90% on an exam (40% weight) and 80% on homework (30% weight), and 85% on a project (30% weight):

(90 × 40) + (80 × 30) + (85 × 30) = 3600 + 2400 + 2550 = 8550
8550 ÷ 100 = 85.5%

Grade Conversion Chart

Letter Grade	Percentage	GPA Points
A	90-100%	4.0
B	80-89%	3.0
C	70-79%	2.0
D	60-69%	1.0
F	Below 60%	0.0

Tips for Using This Calculator

Check Your Syllabus: Find the grading breakdown to know each category's weight.
Mid-Semester Check: Enter completed assignments to see where you stand before finals.
Plan for Finals: Calculate what grade you need on the final to reach your target grade.
Group Similar Items: Combine all homework into one entry if they share the same weight.
Update Regularly: Keep the calculator updated as you receive new grades.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my weighted average different from my simple average?

A simple average treats all grades equally, while a weighted average accounts for how much each assignment counts. A high exam grade has more impact than a high homework grade if exams are weighted more heavily.

What if I don't know my assignment weights?

Check your course syllabus or ask your instructor. Common structures include: Exams 40-50%, Homework/Quizzes 20-30%, Projects/Papers 20-30%, Participation 5-10%.

Can I use this for multiple classes?

Yes, but calculate each class separately. To find your overall GPA across classes, you'd need a separate GPA calculator that weighs each class by credit hours.

How accurate is this calculator?

The math is exact based on your inputs. Accuracy depends on entering correct grades and weights that match your course's grading policy. Some schools use +/- grades or different scales.

How GPA Is Calculated

Grade Point Average (GPA) measures academic performance by converting letter grades to grade points and calculating a weighted or unweighted average. In the standard 4.0 scale: A/A+ = 4.0, A- = 3.7, B+ = 3.3, B = 3.0, B- = 2.7, C+ = 2.3, C = 2.0, and so on.

GPA = Σ(grade points × credit hours) / Σ(credit hours)

Weighted vs Unweighted GPA

Unweighted GPA treats all courses equally on a 4.0 scale regardless of difficulty. An A in AP Calculus and an A in basic Math both earn 4.0 points.

Weighted GPA gives extra points for honors, AP, or IB courses. AP/IB courses add 1.0 point (so an A in AP = 5.0), honors courses add 0.5 (A in honors = 4.5). Weighted GPAs can exceed 4.0, sometimes reaching 5.0 or higher.

College admissions: Most colleges recalculate GPA on an unweighted scale using their own methodology when reviewing applications. Don't rely solely on your weighted GPA — colleges look at course rigor separately.

GPA Scale Conversions

Letter to 4.0 scale: A+ = 4.0, A = 4.0, A- = 3.7, B+ = 3.3, B = 3.0, B- = 2.7, C+ = 2.3, C = 2.0, C- = 1.7, D+ = 1.3, D = 1.0, D- = 0.7, F = 0.0

Percentage to letter (common): 90–100% = A, 80–89% = B, 70–79% = C, 60–69% = D, below 60% = F (varies by institution)

4.0 GPA benchmarks: 4.0 = straight A's, 3.5 = A-/B+ average, 3.0 = B average, 2.5 = B-/C+ average, 2.0 = C average (minimum for many scholarships and graduate programs)

Strategies to Improve Your GPA

Focus on high-credit courses: A grade in a 4-credit course affects your GPA more than the same grade in a 1-credit elective
Grade replacement policies: Many schools allow retaking courses to replace grades. Check if your institution offers this before dropping a class
Attendance correlation: Studies consistently show attendance is the #1 predictor of grades — missing even 3–4 classes in a semester measurably impacts performance
Office hours ROI: Students who regularly attend office hours consistently earn higher grades — professors see your effort and clarify exam-relevant material
Calculate what you need: Use our Final Grade Calculator to determine the exact score you need on upcoming exams to reach your target grade

Frequently Asked Questions

What GPA do I need for graduate school?

Most graduate programs require a minimum 3.0 GPA, with competitive programs (law, medicine, top MBA programs) typically wanting 3.5+. GRE/GMAT scores, research experience, and letters of recommendation can sometimes compensate for a lower GPA, especially if your grades improved in upper-level courses in your major.

Does GPA matter for employment?

It depends on the field and employer. Investment banks, consulting firms, and some tech companies filter applications by GPA (often requiring 3.5+). Most employers care more about experience, projects, and skills after 2–3 years in the workforce. A strong GPA matters most for your first job or graduate school application.

Can I recover from a bad first-year GPA?

Yes, but it takes sustained effort. GPA is a cumulative average — early low grades create inertia. To raise a 2.5 GPA to 3.0 over 4 semesters, you'd need approximately a 3.5 average in those semesters. The earlier you improve, the more impact it has. Use our calculator to model different scenarios.