11 min read
What is a weighted grade?
A weighted grade gives different assignments different importance. A final exam might count for 40% while homework counts for 20%. Your course average is a weighted average, not a simple mean.
The formula
Weighted Average = Σ(Score × Weight) ÷ Σ(Weight). Each category contributes proportionally to its weight. If homework is 20% at 92% and the midterm is 30% at 85%, homework contributes 18.4 points and the midterm contributes 25.5 points to the numerator.
Step-by-step example
Homework 92% (weight 20), Midterm 85% (weight 30), Final 88% (weight 50). Weighted avg = (92×20 + 85×30 + 88×50) ÷ 100 = (1840 + 2550 + 4400) ÷ 100 = 87.9%.
Weights not totaling 100%
Some teachers use weights that don't sum to exactly 100%. The formula still works — you're dividing by the total weight used. Our calculator warns you if weights don't add to 100%.
Letter grades in weighted calculations
If your syllabus uses letter grades, convert each letter to a percentage midpoint (B+ = 88%, A- = 91%) before applying weights. Our calculator handles this automatically.
Percent weights vs point weights
Percent weights should add to 100 (homework 20, midterm 30, final 50). Point weights are raw totals (homework 200 points, tests 300). Both use the same formula: sum of score times weight, divided by total weight. Switch the weight-format toggle so the labels match your syllabus language.
When weights do not add to 100%
Teachers sometimes publish 20/20/20/50 by accident. We still divide by the total you typed and show a warning. Ask whether the extra 10% is extra credit, a missing category, or a typo. Canvas may also hide a 0% group until something is posted.
Dropped scores and extra credit
If the syllabus drops the lowest quiz, omit that quiz from the list rather than giving it a zero. Extra credit that adds points after the average is not a weight — add it as bonus in the test-grade tool or raise the category score first.
Canvas groups vs a paper syllabus
Canvas shows assignment-group weights. A paper syllabus may list individual assignments. Use the Canvas calculator when you are copying group averages from the LMS. Use this weighted tool when you have named rows (Homework, Midterm, Final) from a PDF syllabus.
From course average to GPA
A weighted course average is still a percent. Convert it to a letter on your scale, then put that letter into the GPA calculator with the course’s credit hours. Do not average four course percents and call that a GPA — GPA is credit-weighted letter points, not a mean of percentages.
UK and Australian weighting
UK degrees often weight Year 3 more than Year 2. That is year weighting, not assignment weighting — use the degree classification calculator. Australian course grades use HD/D/C/P bands; you can still use this tool for a single unit, then read the letter on the Australian scale.
Try it yourself
Use the calculator below with your own numbers.
Grading scale: Common US 4.0 GPA Scale
Change this if your school uses a different scale.
Weighted average
87.9%
Formula: Σ(score × weight) ÷ Σ(weight) = Σ(score × weight) ÷ 100%. We normalize by the weights you enter; percent mode does not have to total 100% unless your syllabus requires it.
What do I need on remaining work?
Enter unfinished course weight and your target overall. Rows above are treated as completed.
What do you need on your final?
Plan your final exam target based on your current average.