Final Grade Calculator
Enter your current grade, target grade, and final exam weight to see what score you need on the final.
Calculate your required final score
All calculations happen locally in your browser.
How to use this calculator
- 1. Current grade — Enter your overall course grade right now. Find it in Canvas, Blackboard, or your school portal.
- 2. Desired course grade — Enter the final grade you want for the course (e.g. 90 for an A–).
- 3. Final exam weight — Enter the percentage the final is worth. Check your syllabus under "Grading breakdown."
- 4. Calculate — The result is the minimum score you need on the final to hit your target.
Formula
Required final score = (desired grade − current grade × current weight) ÷ final weight
Where current weight = 1 − final weight. For example, if the final is worth 25%, your current grade counts for 75%.
Examples
Example 1 — Boosting a B to a B+
Current grade: 82% · Target: 85% · Final worth: 30%
Required score: (85 − 82 × 0.70) ÷ 0.30 = 92%
Example 2 — Recovering from a rough semester
Current grade: 74% · Target: 80% · Final worth: 40%
Required score: (80 − 74 × 0.60) ÷ 0.40 = 89%
Example 3 — Protecting a strong grade
Current grade: 92% · Target: 90% · Final worth: 20%
Required score: (90 − 92 × 0.80) ÷ 0.20 = 82% — you can get a B and still finish with an A–.
FAQ
What does final exam weight mean?
The final exam weight is the percentage of your overall course grade that comes from the final exam. A 25% weight means the final counts for one-quarter of your grade.
My required score is above 100% — what does that mean?
Your target grade is not reachable with a normal 100-point final. You would need extra credit, or you may need to adjust your target grade downward.
Why might Canvas or Blackboard show a different number?
Canvas, Blackboard, and Moodle may drop the lowest score, round differently, or apply category weighting rules that are not visible in your current grade. Small differences are normal — treat this calculator as an estimate.
What is my current weight if the final is worth 25%?
Your current grade weight is 75% — the remaining portion of the course before the final. The calculator uses this automatically when you enter the final exam weight.
Where do I find the final exam weight?
Check your course syllabus under the grading breakdown. It is usually listed as 'Final exam: X% of grade'. If you can't find it, email your professor.
Related tools
This calculator is for planning only. Your official grade is determined by your instructor, school, or learning management system.