How to calculate your grade average
A simple average adds up all your grades and divides by the number of courses, so every course counts the same. That is how most schools average report card grades.
At college or university, courses rarely weigh the same. A weighted average multiplies each grade by its credits (or credit hours, ECTS or weight), adds those products and divides by the total credits. A 4-credit course counts twice as much as a 2-credit one.
Weighted average = Σ (grade × credits) / Σ credits
Example · three courses
An 80 in a 3-credit course, a 65 in another 3-credit course and a 92 in a 6-credit course. Simple average: (80 + 65 + 92) / 3 = 79. Weighted average: (80·3 + 65·3 + 92·6) / 12 = 987 / 12 = 82.25. The 92 pulls the average up because that course has twice the credits.
Grading scales around the world
Choose your country to load its usual scale, or pick «Other scale» and set the minimum, maximum and pass mark yourself. Typical values:
| Country | Scale | Pass mark |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 0–100 % (or GPA 0–4) | 60 % (D) |
| United Kingdom (university) | 0–100 % | 40 % |
| Canada, Australia, South Africa | 0–100 % | 50 % |
| India, Nigeria | 0–100 % | 40 % (varies) |
| France, Portugal | 0–20 | 10 |
| Italy (university) | out of 30 | 18 |
| Netherlands | 1–10 | 5.5 |
| Spain, Brazil | 0–10 | 5 |
| Chile | 1–7 | 4 |
Scales can differ between schools and levels, so check yours. To convert a grade from one country's scale to another, use the grade converter.
Frequently asked questions
Is this a GPA calculator?
It works as one if your grades are already grade points: choose «US GPA» (0–4) and enter each course's points (A = 4, B = 3, C = 2, D = 1, F = 0) with its credit hours. The result is your weighted GPA.
Which average do scholarships and grad schools use?
Almost always the credit-weighted average of your whole transcript. Some convert it to another scale (out of 4 or out of 100); your school gives you the official figure.
How do I work out what I need on my final?
Use the final grade calculator, which takes into account how much each part of the course is worth.