Grade Calculator
Find the score you need on your final exam, or work out your current weighted grade.
How much the final counts toward your overall grade.
Uses a standard US letter grade scale. Your school's cut-offs may differ.
How to use the grade calculator
This calculator answers the two questions students ask most: "What do I need on my final?" and "What's my grade right now?"
Final exam needed
- Enter your current grade in the class as a percentage.
- Enter the grade you want to end up with.
- Enter how much the final exam is worth, which is usually listed in your syllabus.
You'll see the score you need on the final, the working, and the score you'd need for an A, B, C or D.
Current grade
Switch to the "Current grade" tab and enter each assignment or category with its score and weight. The calculator works out your weighted grade and letter grade so far.
How to calculate the final exam score you need
Your final grade is a weighted mix of your current grade and your final exam score:
Here, w is the final exam's weight as a decimal (30% = 0.30).
Example: your current grade is 84%, you want 85% overall, and the final is worth 30%.
- Your current grade counts for 70%: 84 × 0.70 = 58.8 points.
- You need 85 − 58.8 = 26.2 more points.
- 26.2 ÷ 0.30 = 87.3% on the final.
If the answer is over 100%, the target can't be reached on the final alone, unless there's extra credit. If it's zero or below, you've already secured that grade.
How to calculate a weighted grade
Most classes give different parts of the course different weights, such as homework 20%, quizzes 15%, midterm 25% and final 40%. To find your current grade, multiply each score by its weight, add them up and divide by the total weight completed so far.
Example: homework 92% (weight 20), quizzes 85% (weight 15), midterm 78% (weight 25).
- 92 × 20 + 85 × 15 + 78 × 25 = 1,840 + 1,275 + 1,950 = 5,065
- Total weight so far: 60
- Current grade: 5,065 ÷ 60 = 84.4%, a B.
Standard letter grade scale
| Letter grade | Percentage |
|---|---|
| A | 93–100% |
| A− | 90–92% |
| B+ | 87–89% |
| B | 83–86% |
| B− | 80–82% |
| C+ | 77–79% |
| C | 73–76% |
| C− | 70–72% |
| D+ / D / D− | 60–69% |
| F | Below 60% |
Many schools use this scale, but cut-offs vary. Some don't use plus and minus grades, and some round grades up. Check your syllabus to be sure.
Tips for preparing for your final
- Know your number early. Calculating the score you need a few weeks ahead helps you plan how much to study.
- Focus on heavily weighted topics. Review past exams and anything your teacher highlighted.
- Space out your studying. Short, regular sessions work better than one long cram.
- Ask about extra credit or dropped scores if your target looks out of reach.
- Look after yourself. Sleep, food and short breaks all help your memory on exam day.
To see how your class grades affect your GPA, use the GPA calculator.
Frequently asked questions
What do I need on my final to get an A?
Enter your current grade, 90 (or 93, depending on your school's cut-off) as your target, and the final exam weight. The calculator shows the exact score you need, along with the scores for a B, C and D.
How do I calculate my grade with weights?
Multiply each score by its weight, add the results, and divide by the total of the weights. For example, 90 at 40% and 80 at 60% gives (3,600 + 4,800) ÷ 100 = 84%.
What if I need more than 100% on my final?
It means your target grade can't be reached with the final exam alone. Look at a lower target, or ask your teacher about extra credit or other opportunities.
Do my weights need to add up to 100?
No. If you've only completed part of the course, the calculator uses the weights you've entered so far to show your current grade.
Is a B+ 87 or 88?
On the standard scale used here, a B+ is 87 to 89%. Some schools use slightly different cut-offs, so check your syllabus.