How to Calculate a Weighted Grade

A weighted grade multiplies each category's percentage score by how much that category counts toward your final grade, then adds the results together.

Weighted grade = Σ (category score × category weight)

Worked example

A course with three categories: Homework at 92%, worth 20% of the grade. Midterm at 85%, worth 30%. Final project at 88%, worth 50%.

(92 × 0.20) + (85 × 0.30) + (88 × 0.50) = 18.4 + 25.5 + 44.0 = 87.9%.

Why weights should add up to 100%

If your category weights don't sum to 100%, the weighted average will be misleading. If they only total 80%, your calculated grade will be understating your actual grade proportionally, since 20% of the possible weight was never accounted for. Check your syllabus for the exact breakdown before calculating.

Score vs. percentage

If an assignment is graded out of points rather than a straight percentage, like 46 out of 50, convert it first: 46 ÷ 50 = 92%. Entering raw score and max score, rather than a rounded percentage, avoids small rounding errors compounding across several assignments in the same category.

Run the full calculation, including a "what score do I need on my final" solver, with the grade calculator.