How is this different from the regular Grade Calculator on DevZone?

The regular Grade Calculator handles a flat list of items with weights. This one models a full syllabus: categories that contain multiple assignments, drop-lowest rules, extra credit, save-state, snapshots, and target-grade reverse calculation. Use this when you want to track an entire semester; use the simpler one for a one-shot weighted average.

Will my data be sent to a server?

No. All calculation and storage happens in your browser. You can verify by opening DevTools → Network and watching for outbound requests as you type — there are none. Even share permalinks live in the URL hash fragment, which browsers do not transmit to servers.

Can I save more than one course?

Yes — up to 25 courses are saved in your browser. Switch between them with the Courses dropdown next to the course name. Each course keeps its own categories, snapshots, settings, and grading scale.

What happens if I clear my browser data?

Saved courses are stored in localStorage. Clearing browser data will delete them. Use Export → JSON to keep an off-browser backup; you can re-import the file later.

My weights don’t add up to 100% — is that a problem?

No — the tool supports partial-semester use. The weight chip turns amber and the panel says "weights total X%". The current grade reflects only the categories you’ve entered. Once you fill in the rest, the chip turns green and the projection becomes exact.

How does drop-lowest work?

The tool drops the lowest-scoring graded assignments by percentage. Ungraded assignments are never dropped — they have no score yet. Extra-credit items are also never dropped. When two assignments tie at the bottom, the later one in the list is dropped first.

My teacher drops the lowest two quizzes but my actual grade in their gradebook is different — why?

Teachers sometimes apply rules this tool can’t see — re-weighting, late penalties, partial-credit overrides, replacement scores, curves. The tool calculates what your syllabus says; your teacher’s gradebook is authoritative.

How do I add extra credit?

Mark a single assignment as Extra credit (the EC checkbox) — it adds to the numerator without entering the denominator, so it can push the category above 100%. Or mark an entire category as Extra credit — its weight stacks on top of 100%. The Cap at 100% setting in Course settings controls whether the displayed grade is capped.

What does What-if mode do?

It freezes your real scores and lets you experiment with hypothetical ones. Type a guess for the final, see what your course grade becomes, and exit without saving. Useful for quickly sanity-checking "if I get a B on the final, what will I have?"

How does the target-grade calculation work?

Set the grade you want (as a percentage, letter, or GPA). The tool computes the minimum average needed across remaining ungraded work. If exactly one ungraded assignment remains — or one whole category contains all the remaining work, like the final exam — the exact score needed on that single item is shown too.

Can I share my saved course with a friend?

Yes. Click Share — the tool generates a permalink that encodes your course in the URL hash (after the # symbol). The receiver can open it as a new course or replace their current one. URL hash fragments are not transmitted to servers, so your data stays local even when sharing.

Can I import / export my data?

Yes. Export gives you JSON (full state, re-importable), CSV (one row per assignment), or plain text (a summary). Import accepts the same JSON format produced by Export. Imported data is validated for structure and bounds before being applied.

Does this tool calculate cumulative GPA?

No — this tool stays focused on a single course. For multi-course GPA across a term or program, use the GPA Calculator on this site. To convert between US, UK, Indian, or 5.0 scales, use the GPA Scale Converter.

How are letter grades and percentages mapped?

Three preset scales ship with the tool: Standard (A 90–100, B 80–89, C 70–79, D 60–69, F below 60), Plus/Minus US (A+ 97+, A 93–96.99, A− 90–92.99, etc.), and Strict (same boundaries as Standard, no rounding). Different schools use different scales — always check your syllabus and pick the matching scale in Course settings.

Weighted Grade Calculator

Plug in your syllabus and assignments. See your current grade, your projected final, and exactly what you need on what’s left. Saves locally — your data stays in your browser.

Last updated: May 2026

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What it does

Syllabus-shaped: categories and assignments

Mirror the way real syllabi are written — weighted categories like Homework, Quizzes, Tests, and Final Exam, each containing individual scored items. Up to 15 categories and 100 assignments per category.

Drop-lowest done right

Set a drop-lowest count per category and watch the lowest graded scores drop with a visible badge. Ungraded assignments are never dropped (they can’t be).

Extra credit, both kinds

Mark a single assignment as extra credit (adds to the numerator only) or mark a whole category as extra credit (its weight stacks on top of 100%). Cap-at-100 toggle controls the displayed grade.

Target-grade reverse calculation

Tell the tool the grade you want — the minimum average needed across remaining work appears instantly, with a clear locked-in / on-track / behind status. When one assignment or one category is all that’s left, the exact score needed there appears too.

What-if mode

Freeze your real scores and experiment. Type a hypothetical score on the final, see your course grade change, and exit without saving anything.

Saves locally across the semester

Up to 25 courses are saved in your browser, each with up to 10 named snapshots. Share a course as a permalink (the URL hash carries the data — never sent to a server).

How to use Weighted Grade Calculator

1
Name your course and edit the seeded categories
The tool starts with Homework 20%, Quizzes 15%, Tests 40%, Final Exam 25% — the most common US syllabus shape. Rename them and adjust weights to match your syllabus, or click "Add category" for more. The weights chip turns green at exactly 100%.
2
Enter your scores
For each category, click "Add assignment" or "Paste a list" to bulk-paste from a gradebook. Each row supports three score modes: points (8/10), percentage (80%), or letter (A−). Typing above 100 in percentage mode auto-promotes the row to points so "45 out of 50" works.
3
Configure rules: drop-lowest and extra credit
On any category, set "Drop lowest N" to ignore that many low scores. Mark individual assignments as Extra credit, or a whole category — the weight stacks on top of 100%. The cap-at-100 toggle in Course settings decides whether the displayed grade is capped.
4
Set a target grade and read the result panel
The result panel always shows your current grade, the per-category breakdown, and (when you set a target) the minimum average you need on remaining work. If exactly one ungraded assignment or one whole category is left, the score needed on that one item is shown too.
5
Save snapshots, share a permalink, or export
Save up to 10 named snapshots per course before big changes (so you can restore). Share copies a permalink that encodes your course in the URL hash — never sent to any server. Export to JSON, CSV, or plain text any time.

When to use this

High-school student tracking through a quarter

Type your syllabus into the seeded categories, paste each unit’s scores from the gradebook, and watch your current grade update in real time. Save snapshots after each unit for a paper trail.

College freshman juggling 4–5 courses

Save each course separately by clicking "New course". Switch between them with the Courses dropdown. Each keeps its own categories, scale (Standard or Plus/Minus), and snapshots — entirely in your browser.

Two weeks before finals

Set the target to the letter you want — the result panel shows the average required on remaining work, including the specific score needed on the final exam if it’s the only thing left. Bump the target to A+ to see the absolute minimum.

Parent reviewing a syllabus

Build the course structure once with your child, share the permalink to your partner, and both of you see the same projection without making accounts. The link works in any browser.

Teacher demonstrating to a class

Build a sample course in front of students, project the share permalink, and let students fork it into their own browsers to plug in their own scores — each fork is fully local.

Common errors & fixes

My weights don’t add up to 100%.: That’s OK mid-semester — the weight chip turns amber and the panel says "weights total X%". The current grade is computed across what you’ve entered. Once you fill in the rest, the chip turns green and the projection becomes exact.
My LMS shows a different number than this tool.: Teachers sometimes apply rules the syllabus doesn’t reflect — late penalties, partial-credit overrides, replacement scores, or different rounding. The LMS is authoritative; this tool calculates what your syllabus says.
My share link doesn’t paste — "course is too large".: Permalinks cap at 8 KB to stay below URL-length limits in chat apps and email. If your course exceeds that, use Export → JSON to share the full file as an attachment instead.
I cleared my browser data and lost my courses.: Saved courses live in localStorage. Clearing browser data deletes them. Use Export → JSON to keep an off-browser backup; Import the file to restore.

Technical details

Weighted average formula	final = Σ (category_weight × category_average) / Σ (entered_weights), normalised to graded categories only.
Target-reverse formula	required_on_remaining = (goal − current × weight_of_graded) / (1 − weight_of_graded). Single-item case: required = (goal − current × (1 − final_weight)) / final_weight.
Drop-lowest rule	Lowest N graded, non-extra-credit assignments by percentage are excluded. Ungraded items are ineligible. Tie-break: later in the list is dropped first.
Capacity	25 courses per browser, 15 categories per course, 100 assignments per category, 10 snapshots per course, 8 KB encoded permalink.
Privacy	All compute and storage happens in your browser. Nothing is sent to any server, including the share permalink (URL hash fragments are not transmitted).

How weighted grades work

A weighted grade is a category-level weighted average. Your syllabus assigns each category a percentage (Homework 20%, Quizzes 15%, Tests 40%, Final 25% — adding to 100). Inside each category, you have individual assignments. The category’s contribution to your final grade is its average × its weight.

Worked example: Homework averages 90% × 20% weight = 18 points; Quizzes 85% × 15% = 12.75; Tests 78% × 40% = 31.2; Final 88% × 25% = 22. Sum: 83.95% — your final course grade. The big lesson is that an exam worth 40% has more than twice the impact of homework at 15%, so the same effort buys more in the heavier category.

The tool computes this exactly as the formula prescribes — but with a caveat: your LMS may use different rounding, your teacher may apply policies the syllabus doesn’t mention (curves, replacement scores, late penalties), and your final gradebook is the authoritative number. Treat this calculator as a fast and honest projection of what the syllabus says, not as a substitute for your professor’s gradebook.

How drop-lowest works here

When you set "Drop lowest N" on a category, the tool finds the N graded assignments with the lowest percentage scores and excludes them from the category average. Three rules to know:

1. **Ungraded assignments are never dropped.** Empty score fields stay in your assignment list as ungraded; they aren’t eligible to be the lowest, because they have no value yet.

2. **Extra-credit assignments are never dropped.** They only add to the numerator — they don’t compete with regular assignments for the bottom slot.

3. **Ties are broken by list order — later wins the lottery to be dropped.** If three quizzes tie at 70%, the most recently added one is dropped first. This rule is intentionally simple and mostly invisible (real ties are rare) but it makes the math deterministic.

If your teacher’s actual drop rule differs (some apply different tie-breaking, or replace lowest with a make-up score), the tool can’t infer that — your gradebook is authoritative.

How extra credit works here

Extra credit comes in two shapes, both supported here:

**Per-assignment extra credit** marks a single item — say a bonus question worth 5 points on a 100-point test, or an extra-credit reading response — as adding to the numerator without entering the denominator. Net effect: it can push a category above 100%, but only by the value of the bonus.

**Per-category extra credit** marks the whole category as extra credit — its weight stacks on top of 100% rather than counting against it. So if you have a 5% Extra Credit Project category and earn 100% in it, your final grade gets a flat +5 boost.

The **Cap at 100%** setting in Course settings decides display: when on (default), grades over 100% display as 100% but the tooltip shows the underlying value; when off, grades display literally (e.g., 103.4%). Always check your school’s policy — many institutions cap final grades at 100% even if the math goes higher.

What-if vs target grade — different questions, different answers

Two ways to look forward, two different questions:

**What-if mode** is the "what would happen if…" tool. It freezes your real scores and lets you experiment by entering hypothetical future scores. Want to see what your course grade becomes if you bomb the final with a 60? Or ace it with a 99? Toggle What-if on, type the hypothetical, see the new grade, and exit — your saved scores never change.

**Target grade** is the "what do I need to…" tool. Tell the tool the grade you want; it tells you the minimum average required across remaining work. The bands on the result panel make this readable at a glance: green (locked-in: even all-zeros on remaining work hits your target), blue (on-track: a reasonable score gets there), amber (behind: would require above 100% on remaining work).

Use What-if when you want to explore many scenarios; use Target when you want one number that tells you exactly what to study for.

When to use which DevZone calculator

Four grade-related tools live on this site, each shaped to a different question:

• **Weighted Grade Calculator** (this one) — model a full syllabus with categories that contain assignments. Use this when you want to track an entire semester, plan with what-if scenarios, save snapshots, or compute target-grade requirements with drop-lowest and extra credit applied correctly.

• **Grade Calculator** — quick weighted average from a flat list of assignments, or a simple points-based grade. Use this when you don’t need categories, drop-lowest, or save-state — just a calculator.

• **Final Grade Calculator** — single-purpose: "what do I need on the final?" Enter your current grade, the final’s weight, and your target. Use this when you have just one number to plan around.

• **GPA Calculator** — multi-course GPA across a semester or program. Use this when you want a cumulative GPA on the 4.0 scale, not a single-course grade.

• **GPA Scale Converter** — translate between US, UK, Indian, and other GPA scales. Use this when you have a number on one scale and need it on another.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is this different from the regular Grade Calculator on DevZone?: The regular Grade Calculator handles a flat list of items with weights. This one models a full syllabus: categories that contain multiple assignments, drop-lowest rules, extra credit, save-state, snapshots, and target-grade reverse calculation. Use this when you want to track an entire semester; use the simpler one for a one-shot weighted average.
Will my data be sent to a server?: No. All calculation and storage happens in your browser. You can verify by opening DevTools → Network and watching for outbound requests as you type — there are none. Even share permalinks live in the URL hash fragment, which browsers do not transmit to servers.
Can I save more than one course?: Yes — up to 25 courses are saved in your browser. Switch between them with the Courses dropdown next to the course name. Each course keeps its own categories, snapshots, settings, and grading scale.
What happens if I clear my browser data?: Saved courses are stored in localStorage. Clearing browser data will delete them. Use Export → JSON to keep an off-browser backup; you can re-import the file later.
My weights don’t add up to 100% — is that a problem?: No — the tool supports partial-semester use. The weight chip turns amber and the panel says "weights total X%". The current grade reflects only the categories you’ve entered. Once you fill in the rest, the chip turns green and the projection becomes exact.
How does drop-lowest work?: The tool drops the lowest-scoring graded assignments by percentage. Ungraded assignments are never dropped — they have no score yet. Extra-credit items are also never dropped. When two assignments tie at the bottom, the later one in the list is dropped first.
My teacher drops the lowest two quizzes but my actual grade in their gradebook is different — why?: Teachers sometimes apply rules this tool can’t see — re-weighting, late penalties, partial-credit overrides, replacement scores, curves. The tool calculates what your syllabus says; your teacher’s gradebook is authoritative.
How do I add extra credit?: Mark a single assignment as Extra credit (the EC checkbox) — it adds to the numerator without entering the denominator, so it can push the category above 100%. Or mark an entire category as Extra credit — its weight stacks on top of 100%. The Cap at 100% setting in Course settings controls whether the displayed grade is capped.
What does What-if mode do?: It freezes your real scores and lets you experiment with hypothetical ones. Type a guess for the final, see what your course grade becomes, and exit without saving. Useful for quickly sanity-checking "if I get a B on the final, what will I have?"
How does the target-grade calculation work?: Set the grade you want (as a percentage, letter, or GPA). The tool computes the minimum average needed across remaining ungraded work. If exactly one ungraded assignment remains — or one whole category contains all the remaining work, like the final exam — the exact score needed on that single item is shown too.
Can I share my saved course with a friend?: Yes. Click Share — the tool generates a permalink that encodes your course in the URL hash (after the # symbol). The receiver can open it as a new course or replace their current one. URL hash fragments are not transmitted to servers, so your data stays local even when sharing.
Can I import / export my data?: Yes. Export gives you JSON (full state, re-importable), CSV (one row per assignment), or plain text (a summary). Import accepts the same JSON format produced by Export. Imported data is validated for structure and bounds before being applied.
Does this tool calculate cumulative GPA?: No — this tool stays focused on a single course. For multi-course GPA across a term or program, use the GPA Calculator on this site. To convert between US, UK, Indian, or 5.0 scales, use the GPA Scale Converter.
How are letter grades and percentages mapped?: Three preset scales ship with the tool: Standard (A 90–100, B 80–89, C 70–79, D 60–69, F below 60), Plus/Minus US (A+ 97+, A 93–96.99, A− 90–92.99, etc.), and Strict (same boundaries as Standard, no rounding). Different schools use different scales — always check your syllabus and pick the matching scale in Course settings.

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