Final Grade Calculator
Find the score you need on the final exam to finish with the grade you want. Advanced works out your grade so far from your scores, and adds what-if scores and custom grading scales.
Type scores as points (18/20) or percentages (85), separated by commas. Leave out the final exam.
Over 100 if the final has extra credit.
Each grade starts at the % shown. Change any of them to match your school.
How your final exam score is worked out
Score needed = (grade you want − what you've already banked) ÷ the final's weight.
- 1
Already banked
84% × 75%
= 63 points - 2
Still to earn
85 − 63
= 22 points - 3
Divide by the weight
22 ÷ 25%
= 88% on the final - 4
Every grade
A — · B 68%
C 28% · D any
Read more: the formula, a worked example, weighted categories and grading scales
Your overall grade is a mix of the grade you have now and your final exam score, each counted by its share of the course. Take what you've already banked away from the grade you want, then divide by the final's weight to see the score you need.
The formula
overall grade = grade so far × (1 − final weight) + final score × final weight
score needed = (grade wanted − grade so far × (1 − final weight)) ÷ final weight
with points: points needed = grade wanted × (points possible so far + final points) − points earned
Worked example
Your grade is 84% and the final is worth 25% of the course, so the rest of the course counts for 75%. You've banked 84 × 0.75 = 63 points. To finish on 85% you need 85 − 63 = 22 more points, and 22 ÷ 0.25 = 88% on the final.
The same sum for each letter on the US scale: an A (90%) needs (90 − 63) ÷ 0.25 = 108%, which isn't possible without extra credit. A B (80%) needs (80 − 63) ÷ 0.25 = 68%. A C (70%) needs 28%. A D (60%) is safe: (60 − 63) ÷ 0.25 = −12, so even a 0 still leaves you on 63%.
What if I score…?
Run it the other way: overall = 63 + final score × 0.25. A 75% on the final gives 63 + 18.75 = 81.75%, a B.
Working out your grade so far
Weighted categories. Each category's score is its points earned ÷ points possible. Homework 18/20, 17/20, 20/20 and 15/20 is 70/80 = 87.5%. Quizzes 8/10, 9/10 and 6/10 is 23/30 = 76.67%. The midterm is 84%. With weights of 20%, 15% and 40%: (20 × 87.5 + 15 × 76.67 + 40 × 84) ÷ 75 = (1,750 + 1,150 + 3,360) ÷ 75 = 6,260 ÷ 75 = 83.47%. We divide by 75 because only 75% of the course has been graded; the other 25% is the final. To finish on 85% you then need (85 − 83.47 × 0.75) ÷ 0.25 = (85 − 62.6) ÷ 0.25 = 89.6%.
Drop lowest. Many teachers drop your worst quiz or homework. Dropping the 6/10 quiz leaves 17/20 = 85%, and your grade so far becomes (1,750 + 15 × 85 + 3,360) ÷ 75 = 6,385 ÷ 75 = 85.13%. This calculator drops the scores with the lowest percentage.
Total points. Some classes simply add up all the points. The same scores are 70 + 23 + 84 = 177 out of 80 + 30 + 100 = 210, which is 84.29%. If the final is worth 100 points, the course totals 310 points. 85% of 310 is 263.5, so you need 263.5 − 177 = 86.5 points out of 100.
Grading scales
| Scale | Grades start at |
|---|---|
| US letters | A 90 · B 80 · C 70 · D 60 · F below 60 |
| US with + and − | A+ 97 · A 93 · A− 90 · B+ 87 · B 83 · B− 80 · C+ 77 · C 73 · C− 70 · D+ 67 · D 63 · D− 60 |
| 7-point scale | A 93 · B 85 · C 77 · D 70 · F below 70 |
| UK university | First 70 · 2:1 60 · 2:2 50 · Third 40 |
| Pass or fail | Pass 50 |
These are common cut-offs, not rules. Schools, colleges and even single teachers set their own, and some round grades up (an 89.5% may count as an A). Check your syllabus and pick Custom to match it.
Good to know
- If you need more than 100% and there's no extra credit, the target can't be reached. The calculator shows the best grade you can still finish with.
- If you need 0% or less, you're safe: even a blank final leaves you at or above your target.
- If the final replaces your lowest test, or counts inside a category such as "Tests", work out that category with the final included and use the weighted categories mode.
Common questions
How do I calculate what I need on my final?
Take your grade so far times the share of the course already done away from the grade you want, then divide by the final's weight. With 84% so far and a final worth 25%, you need (85 − 84 × 0.75) ÷ 0.25 = 88% to finish on 85%.
What happens if I need more than 100% on the final?
Without extra credit, the target can't be reached, and the calculator then shows the best grade you can still finish with. If the answer is 0% or less, you're safe: even a blank final leaves you at or above your target.
How do I work out my grade with weighted categories?
Each category's score is points earned ÷ points possible. Multiply each by its weight, add them and divide by the weight graded so far. Homework at 87.5% (20%), quizzes at 76.67% (15%) and a midterm of 84% (40%) give 83.47%.
How do I calculate my grade with points instead of percentages?
Add up all the points you've earned and all the points possible. To reach a target, multiply it by the total points including the final and take away what you've earned. 85% of 310 points is 263.5, so with 177 earned you need 86.5 out of 100.
What will my grade be if I score 75% on the final?
Use the what-if option. With 84% so far and a final worth 25%, your overall grade is 63 + final score × 0.25, so a 75% final gives 81.75%, which is a B on the US scale. Try other scores to see where you'd land.
What percentage is an A?
On the plain US scale an A starts at 90, a B at 80, a C at 70 and a D at 60. With plus and minus grades an A starts at 93 and an A− at 90. Schools and teachers set their own cut-offs, so pick Custom to match your syllabus.
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Made by Zulu Calculator, part of AlphaZulu LLC. Formulas are shown in full and rule figures are checked against official sources; see how we build calculators.