Average Grade Calculator
Find your mean score.
Enter all your test or assignment scores to find the unweighted average.
Course Scores
Add as many scores as you need.
Grade Distribution
How It Works
Enter Each Score
Enter each score you want to average — test scores, quiz grades, assignment percentages, or category totals.
Choose Average Type
Choose simple or weighted average. For weighted averages, assign a percentage weight to each category (e.g., Homework 20%, Quizzes 30%, Final Exam 50%).
Add Extra Options
Add extra credit or drop lowest score options, if your course allows them.
Get Instant Results
See your overall average, letter grade, and — if a target grade is set — what score you need on remaining work.
What Is an Average Grade Calculator?
An average grade calculator adds up a set of scores — from quizzes, tests, homework, or assignments — and works out the overall grade a student has earned. Depending on how a course is graded, this can be a simple average (every score counts equally) or a weighted average (some categories, like exams, count more than others, like homework).
Our Average Grade Calculator lets you enter individual scores, apply weights if needed, and instantly see your overall percentage and letter grade.
Why Use an Online Average Grade Calculator?
- Handles both simple and weighted averages without manual formula entry.
- Tracks grades throughout a semester, so you always know where you stand before the final exam.
- Removes calculation errors that are easy to make when averaging many scores by hand.
- Shows what you need on remaining assignments to hit a target overall grade.
- Works for teachers grading a whole class, not just individual students.
Common Averaging Methods
- Simple Average (Unweighted): Every score counts equally, regardless of category.
- Weighted Average: Different categories count for different percentages of the final grade.
- Weighted Average with Dropped Lowest Score: Removes the lowest score in a category before averaging.
- Points-Based Average: Totals raw points earned versus points possible across all assignments.
Key Metrics Explained
- Simple Average: The mean of all scores, where each score has equal weight.
- Weighted Average: The mean where some scores or categories count more than others based on assigned weights.
- Category Weight: The percentage of the final grade that a category (homework, quizzes, exams) represents.
- Letter Grade: The alphabetic grade corresponding to your numeric average based on your school's scale.
When Should You NOT Use a Simple Average?
- When your course uses weighted categories (exams worth more than homework) — use weighted average instead.
- When one category has dramatically more influence on your final grade than others.
- When you need to project future grades or determine what you need on remaining assignments.
- When your school calculates GPA using credit-hour weighting rather than simple score averaging.
Tips for Getting the Most from This Calculator
- Enter scores as you receive them: Update your average after each quiz or assignment to track trends in real time.
- Verify your course's grading policy: Check whether your instructor uses simple averaging, weighted categories, or a points-based system before entering data.
- Model different scenarios: Add hypothetical future scores to see how they would affect your overall average before the grade is finalized.
- Use with the Final Grade Calculator: If you know your current average and the final exam weight, you can calculate exactly what score you need to reach your target grade.
- Keep records: Save screenshots or notes of your calculated averages at different points in the semester to track your progress over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate my average grade in a class?
Add up all your scores and divide by the number of scores for a simple average. If your course uses categories like homework, quizzes, and exams with different weights, multiply each category average by its weight and add the results together for a weighted average.
What's the difference between a simple average and a weighted average?
A simple average treats every score equally. A weighted average gives some categories more influence over the final grade — for example, a final exam might count for 50% while homework only counts for 10%.
How do I calculate what grade I need on my final exam?
Use your current weighted average and the final exam's weight to work backward: subtract your current weighted contribution from your target grade, then divide by the exam's weight to find the score you need.
Does dropping the lowest score always help my average?
Yes, dropping your lowest score in a category will either raise or maintain your average — it can never lower it, since you're removing your worst result from the calculation.
Is a weighted average always higher than a simple average?
Not necessarily. It depends on whether your best scores fall in the higher-weighted or lower-weighted categories. If your top scores are in a category worth less, a simple average could actually be higher.
How is a points-based average different from a percentage average?
A points-based average sums all points earned and divides by all points possible, so assignments with more points naturally have more influence. A percentage average first converts each assignment to a percentage, so every assignment influences the result more evenly regardless of point value.
Should I include a zero for a missed assignment?
If your instructor records missed work as a zero, include it — it will affect your average significantly, which is worth knowing early rather than being surprised later.
Can I use this for a running average during the semester?
Yes — simply add scores as you receive them throughout the term to see your average update in real time.
Does this calculator automatically drop the lowest score?
No, it averages all entered scores as-is. If your instructor drops the lowest score, remove that score before calculating.
How many scores can I add?
There's no practical limit — add as many scores as you have for an accurate average across the full term.
Is a simple average the same as a GPA?
No. A simple average is a raw numeric or percentage mean of scores, while GPA converts letter grades into grade points weighted by course credit hours — they measure different things.
What if some scores are letter grades and others are percentages?
Convert letter grades to their percentage or point equivalent first, using a standard grade scale, so all values are in the same format before averaging.