How the grade calculator works
Grade = total points earned ÷ total points possible × 100Every point counts the same. A 100-point test moves your grade five times as much as a 20-point quiz. If your teacher weights categories instead (for example, tests are 50% of the grade whatever their points), use the weighted grade calculator.
Worked example
The example rows are 18 out of 20 on a quiz, 45 out of 50 on a lab report and 80 out of 100 on a unit test.
- Points earned: 18 + 45 + 80 = 143
- Points possible: 20 + 50 + 100 = 170
- Grade: 143 ÷ 170 × 100 = 84.12%, a B on the A+ to F scale
The quiz (90%) and the lab (90%) are both A- work, but the test is worth more points, so the 80% pulls the grade down to a B.
Letter grades
The calculator offers the two most common US scales. On the A+ to F scale, 93% and above is an A, 90% to 92.99% an A-, 87% to 89.99% a B+, and so on down to 60% for a D-. The simple scale uses 90, 80, 70 and 60 as the cutoffs for A, B, C and D. See all the cutoffs on the grading scales page.
Common questions
- How do I calculate my grade?
- Add up the points you earned on every assignment, divide by the total points possible, and multiply by 100. 143 points out of 170 is 143 / 170 x 100 = 84.12%.
- What's the difference between points-based and weighted grades?
- In a points-based class every point counts the same, so bigger assignments count more. In a weighted class each category (homework, quizzes, tests) is worth a set share of the grade no matter how many points it has. Your syllabus says which your teacher uses.
- Does my teacher round grades up?
- Some do and some don't. An 89.5% might show as 90% (an A-) in one gradebook and stay a B+ in another. Check your syllabus or ask.
- Can I get more than 100%?
- Yes, with extra credit. Enter extra credit as points earned with 0 possible added to an existing assignment, or as earned points above the points possible.