Calculate your weighted grade average.

A weighted average isn't the same as a plain average. When you take a simple average, every number counts equally. But in most classes, a final exam matters far more than a single homework assignment — so each grade carries a different weight. A weighted average multiplies every score by its weight, adds those products together, and then divides by the total weight. The result reflects how much each piece actually counts toward your final grade.

The formula is straightforward: Average = (Σ score × weight) ÷ (Σ weight). First convert each assignment to a percentage by dividing your score by the points possible. Multiply that percentage by the assignment's weight. Do this for every row, add all the results, then divide by the sum of the weights. Because the calculator divides by the total weight rather than assuming it equals 100, your weights don't have to add up to exactly 100 — they can be raw category percentages, point values, or any consistent unit. Only the ratio between weights matters.

This is exactly how your school's gradebook computes your grade. Categories like "Homework 15%, Quizzes 20%, Midterm 25%, Final 40%" are weights. A 95% on homework barely moves your grade if homework is worth 15%, while a 70% on a 40%-weighted final drags it down hard. Seeing the weighted math laid out row by row makes it obvious where to focus your effort.

A worked example

Suppose a class has four graded categories. Here's how the weighted average comes together:

Add the last column: 1,380 + 1,700 + 1,950 + 3,520 = 8,550. Add the weights: 15 + 20 + 25 + 40 = 100. Divide: 8,550 ÷ 100 = 85.5%, a solid B. Notice that the final exam alone contributed 3,520 of the 8,550 points — more than homework and quizzes combined. That's the weight at work. If you'd scored a 78% on the final instead of 88%, your average would drop to 81.5%, a full letter-grade tier lower, even though your other scores never changed.

Try it yourself: the calculator above is pre-loaded with these exact five values (four here, plus room to add more). Edit any score and watch the average shift instantly. Add a fifth row for a participation grade, or delete the midterm to see what your average would be without it. Once you know your average, the Final Grade Calculator can tell you what you still need on an upcoming final to reach your target.