Final Grade Calculator
Find out what score you need on your final for an A, a B, a C or a D, all at once. Each grade is marked as secured, achievable or out of reach, so you know where to put your effort.
Where you stand before the final
Grade cutoffs
edit if your syllabus uses different onesFormula: Required Final Score = (Target − Current × (1 − Final Weight)) ÷ Final Weight
What do I need on my final? Take your target grade, subtract the points your current grade already locks in (current grade × the share of the course already graded), then divide by the final's weight. Example: you have a 78%, the final is worth 40%, and you want an 80%. (80 − 78 × 0.60) ÷ 0.40 = 33.2 ÷ 0.40 = 83% on the final.
📝 How to use this calculator
- Enter your current grade. This must include everything graded before the final, as a percentage.
- Enter the final's weight. Your syllabus lists it, for example 20, 30 or 40.
- Check the cutoffs. The defaults are A 90, B 80, C 70 and D 60. Change them if your course differs.
- Read the ladder. Secured means any score keeps that grade, Achievable shows the exact score you need, and Not reachable means even 100% isn't enough.
📐 The formula, with examples
Example 1. You have an 84% and the final is worth 30%. For a B (80%): (80 − 84×0.70) ÷ 0.30 = 21.2 ÷ 0.30 = 70.7%. For an A (90%): (90 − 58.8) ÷ 0.30 = 104%, which is above 100%, so an A is out of reach while a B is comfortable.
Example 2. You have an 85% and the final is worth 20%. For a 90%: (90 − 85×0.80) ÷ 0.20 = 22 ÷ 0.20 = 110%. Not reachable unless your instructor offers extra credit.
Predicting your grade instead
If you'd rather start from a score you expect, use the optional box above, or this formula:
😬 What if I do badly on the final?
It depends almost entirely on the final's weight. Here is what an 85% current grade turns into:
| Final's weight | Score 0% | Score 50% | Score 100% |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20% | 68.0% | 78.0% | 88.0% |
| 30% | 59.5% | 74.5% | 89.5% |
| 50% | 42.5% | 67.5% | 92.5% |
The bigger the final's weight, the more room it has to lift your grade or sink it. A 20% final can only move you about 10 points either way from a 50%, while a 50% final can swing you 25.
🔤 Letter grade to percentage
| Letter | Typical % |
|---|---|
| A | 90–100 |
| B | 80–89 |
| C | 70–79 |
| D | 60–69 |
| F | Below 60 |
Many schools use plus/minus grades, for example A- at 90 and B+ at 87. Add those as extra grade levels in the cutoff box above.
🧭 Using this well
- Use the right current grade. If your current grade doesn't include every assignment before the final, the result will be off. Check your course portal.
- More than one assessment left? If you still have a final project and a final exam, use the Weighted Grade Calculator.
- Curves and extra credit. This tool doesn't include them. Treat the result as the uncurved target.
- Over 100% isn't the end. It only means that one grade is out of reach. Lower grades on the ladder may still be easy.
❓ Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate what I need on my final exam?
Subtract your current grade × (1 − final weight) from your target grade, then divide by the final's weight. The calculator does it for every grade level at once.
What do I need on my final to pass?
Enter your passing grade as a cutoff, for example 60, in the grade cutoffs box. The ladder then shows the minimum final score you need to pass.
What if my final isn't the only remaining assessment?
Use the Weighted Grade Calculator, which handles several categories and can solve for any one of them.
Can the required score be negative?
A zero or negative result means that grade is already secured whatever you score. The calculator shows it as "Any score".
What does it mean if I need more than 100%?
That grade is out of reach with a normal exam score. Look at lower grades on the ladder, or ask your instructor if extra credit exists.
If I have a 95 and fail the final, what's my grade?
It depends on the weight. With a 20% final, a 0 leaves you at 76%. With a 30% final, you'd land at 66.5%.
Does this work with a curve?
No. It uses your current grade and the stated weight only. If your professor curves the exam, your real result will be better than the calculated one.
How is this different from a grade calculator?
A grade calculator works out your current grade from assignments. This one assumes you know that grade and solves for the one thing left: the final.
Last updated: October 2026. Always confirm your grading policy with your instructor.