Grade Calculator

Calculate course grades with weighted averages and final grade planning

📊

Grade Calculator

Use this calculator to find out the grade of a course based on weighted averages. This calculator accepts both numerical as well as letter grades. It also can calculate the grade needed for the remaining assignments in order to get a desired grade for an ongoing course.

📊 Grade Calculator

Settings

📊 Result

B+ (3.21)
Average Grade
Assignment/Exam
Grade
Weight
Homework 1
90
5%
Project
B
20%
Midterm exam
88
20%
Total:
45%
Average Grade:
B+ (3.21)

đŸŽ¯ Final Grade Planning

Use this section to calculate what grade you need on remaining assignments to achieve your desired final grade.

Final Grade Planning Result

Enter your current grade, desired grade, and the weight of your final exam to see what score you need.

Calculate your final grade planning to see the required score.

📋 Grade Scale Reference

The calculators above use the following letter grades and their typical corresponding numerical equivalents based on grade points.

Letter Grade GPA Percentage
A+ 4.3 97-100%
A 4 93-96%
A- 3.7 90-92%
B+ 3.3 87-89%
B 3 83-86%
B- 2.7 80-82%
C+ 2.3 77-79%
C 2 73-76%
C- 1.7 70-72%
D+ 1.3 67-69%
D 1 63-66%
D- 0.7 60-62%
F 0 0-59%

📚 Understanding Grading Systems

Weighted Averages

Weighted grades give different assignments varying levels of importance. A midterm exam might be worth 30% while homework could be 20% of your final grade.

Letter vs Number Grades

This calculator converts between letter grades (A, B, C) and numerical scores (90, 85, 75) using standard academic conversion tables.

Final Grade Planning

Plan ahead by calculating what score you need on upcoming assignments to achieve your desired final grade in the course.

Brief History of Grading Systems

In 1785, students at Yale were ranked based on "optimi" being the highest rank, followed by second optimi, inferiore (lower), and pejores (worse). At William and Mary, students were ranked as either No. 1, or No. 2, where No. 1 represented students that were first in their class, while No. 2 represented those who were "orderly, correct and attentive." Meanwhile at Harvard, students were graded based on a numerical system from 1-200 (except for math and philosophy where 1-100 was used). Later, shortly after 1883, Harvard used a system of "Classes" where students were either Class I, II, III, IV, or V, with V representing a failing grade.

In 1887, Mount Holyoke College became the first college to use letter grades similar to those commonly used today. The college used a grading scale with the letters A, B, C, D, and E, where E represented a failing grade. This grading system however, was far stricter than those commonly used today, with a failing grade being defined as anything below 75%. The college later re-defined their grading system, adding the letter F for a failing grade (still below 75%). This system of using a letter grading scale became increasingly popular within colleges and high schools, eventually leading to the letter grading systems typically used today.

Alternative Grading Methods

Letter grades provide an easy means to generalize a student's performance, but some institutions use alternative methods. Saint Ann's School in New York City uses anecdotal reports instead of letter grades, focusing on promoting learning and improvement rather than the pursuit of specific grades. However, most institutions still use standardized letter grading systems that students must adapt to throughout their academic careers.