Final Grade Calculator: What Do I Need on My Final?
Enter your current grade, the grade you want, and how much the final counts. You get the exact score to aim for, or switch modes to see the grade you will finish with.
Quick answer: needed score = (target − current × (1 − weight)) ÷ weight. With 88% now, a 90% target and a final worth 25%, you need at least 96%.
Your grade on everything except the final exam.
The course grade you want to finish with.
How much the final counts toward the course grade.
Cutoffs follow the standard plus/minus scale. Your school may differ, so you can type any target.
Score 96% or higher on the final to finish at 90% or better. That is about a A on the standard scale.
What if you score…
Your course grade for different final exam scores, with your current grade and weight.
| Final exam score | Course grade | Letter | Target |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100% | 91% | A- | Meets target |
| 90% | 88.5% | B+ | Below target |
| 80% | 86% | B | Below target |
| 70% | 83.5% | B | Below target |
| 60% | 81% | B- | Below target |
| 50% | 78.5% | C+ | Below target |
The math runs in your browser, so the numbers you type aren't sent anywhere. Grading a single test instead? Try the EZ Grader Calculator.
How the final grade calculator works
Most courses build the grade from weighted parts. Everything before the final makes up one share, and the final makes up the rest. That gives one equation:
Course grade = current × (1 − weight) + final score × weight
Needed score = (target − current × (1 − weight)) ÷ weight
The weight is a decimal here, so a final worth 25% is 0.25. The second line is the first one solved for the final score. To get your numbers right:
- Current grade: your grade on everything except the final, as your gradebook shows it.
- Target grade: the course grade you want. Use the letter buttons or type your school's exact cutoff.
- Final exam weight: the percentage of the course grade the final is worth, from your syllabus.
Three worked examples
Within reach
88% now, want 90%, final is 25%
(90 − 88 × 0.75) ÷ 0.25 = 96%
You need 96% or higher on the final.
Just passing
55% now, want 60%, final is 40%
(60 − 55 × 0.60) ÷ 0.40 = 67.5%
A heavy final helps a student who is close to the line.
Out of reach
80% now, want 90%, final is 20%
(90 − 80 × 0.80) ÷ 0.20 = 130%
Over 100%, so the final alone can't do it. A perfect score gets you to 84%.
Quick reference: the score you need
Find your current grade on the left and the final's weight across the top. "Over 100%" means the target isn't reachable through the final alone, and "Any score" means you're already safe.
| Current grade | Final = 10% | Final = 15% | Final = 20% | Final = 25% | Final = 30% | Final = 40% | Final = 50% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 70% | Over 100% | Over 100% | Over 100% | Over 100% | Over 100% | Over 100% | Over 100% |
| 75% | Over 100% | Over 100% | Over 100% | Over 100% | Over 100% | Over 100% | Over 100% |
| 80% | Over 100% | Over 100% | Over 100% | Over 100% | Over 100% | Over 100% | 100% |
| 85% | Over 100% | Over 100% | Over 100% | Over 100% | Over 100% | 97.5% | 95% |
| 90% | 90% | 90% | 90% | 90% | 90% | 90% | 90% |
| 95% | 45% | 61.7% | 70% | 75% | 78.4% | 82.5% | 85% |
| Current grade | Final = 10% | Final = 15% | Final = 20% | Final = 25% | Final = 30% | Final = 40% | Final = 50% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60% | Over 100% | Over 100% | Over 100% | Over 100% | Over 100% | Over 100% | 100% |
| 65% | Over 100% | Over 100% | Over 100% | Over 100% | Over 100% | Over 100% | 95% |
| 70% | Over 100% | Over 100% | Over 100% | Over 100% | Over 100% | 95% | 90% |
| 75% | Over 100% | Over 100% | 100% | 95% | 91.7% | 87.5% | 85% |
| 80% | 80% | 80% | 80% | 80% | 80% | 80% | 80% |
| 85% | 35% | 51.7% | 60% | 65% | 68.4% | 72.5% | 75% |
| Current grade | Final = 10% | Final = 15% | Final = 20% | Final = 25% | Final = 30% | Final = 40% | Final = 50% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40% | Over 100% | Over 100% | Over 100% | Over 100% | Over 100% | 90% | 80% |
| 45% | Over 100% | Over 100% | Over 100% | Over 100% | 95% | 82.5% | 75% |
| 50% | Over 100% | Over 100% | 100% | 90% | 83.4% | 75% | 70% |
| 55% | Over 100% | 88.4% | 80% | 75% | 71.7% | 67.5% | 65% |
| 60% | 60% | 60% | 60% | 60% | 60% | 60% | 60% |
Mistakes that give the wrong answer
- Including the final in your current grade. The current grade should cover only the other work.
- Using the wrong weight. A final worth 20% of the course is 20, not the number of questions or points on the exam.
- Mixing grading scales. A 90% is an A on some scales and an A- on others, so set the target to your school's cutoff.
- Forgetting categories. If your gradebook only counts some assignments so far, your current grade may change before the final.
- Assuming a curve. Plan for the score the formula gives, and treat any curve as a bonus.
If the number is more than 100%
That result is honest. It means the final can't lift you to that grade by itself. A calculator can't know what your course allows, but it's worth checking these with your instructor:
- Whether any extra credit is still available.
- Whether the lowest quiz or assignment score is dropped.
- Whether a retake, a rewrite or a grade replacement policy applies.
- Whether the final weight changes if you score higher on it than on a midterm.
In the meantime, switch to the "Find my course grade" mode to see the best grade you can actually reach, and aim for the highest letter that is possible. To plan the grades across all your categories, use the weighted average calculator.
What this calculator does and doesn't do
It does the weighted-average math for one final exam and gives a result you can plan around. It doesn't know your instructor's policies, so treat the result as an estimate if your course curves, drops scores or rounds up. For the step-by-step version, read how to calculate your grade after the final. For the percentage cutoffs behind each letter, see the grading scale chart.
Last reviewed: October 2026.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate what I need on my final exam?
Use this formula: needed score = (target grade − current grade × (1 − final weight)) ÷ final weight, with the weight as a decimal. For example, with 88% now, a 90% target and a final worth 25%, you need (90 − 88 × 0.75) ÷ 0.25 = 96% on the final. The calculator above does this for you.
What do I need on my final to get an A?
It depends on your current grade, the weight of the final and where your school draws the A line. With 88% going in and a final worth 25%, an A- (90%) needs 96%, while a straight A (93%) would need 108%, which is not possible without extra credit. Use the A and A- buttons in the calculator to see your own numbers.
What grade do I need on my final to pass?
Set your target to your school's passing grade, often 60%, though some use 65% or 70%. For example, with 55% before a final worth 40%, you need 67.5% to finish at 60%.
What will my grade be after the final?
Switch the calculator to "Find my course grade" and enter your score on the final. For example, 82% before the final and 74% on a final worth 30% gives 0.70 × 82 + 0.30 × 74 = 79.6%, a C+ on the standard plus/minus scale.
What if the score I need is over 100%?
It means the final alone cannot get you to that grade. For instance, with 80% before a final worth 20%, a 90% target would take 130%, while a perfect final gets you to 84%. Extra credit, a curve or dropping a low score could change that, so ask your instructor rather than assuming.
Where do I find my final exam weight?
Check the syllabus or the grading section of your course page. It is usually listed as a percentage of the course grade. If it isn't, ask your instructor.
Does my current grade include the final?
No. Enter your grade on everything except the final exam, as your gradebook shows it before the final is graded. If your gradebook already counts the final as zero, it will understate your current grade.
Does this work if my course uses total points instead of weights?
Yes, with a small change. Take the points you need overall (target % × total course points), subtract the points you already have, and compare that with the points available on the final. For example, with 450 of 500 points so far, a 100-point final and a 90% target on 600 points, you need 540 − 450 = 90 points on the final, or 90%.
Does it work for both high school and college courses?
Yes. The math is the same. Letter-grade cutoffs differ between schools, so use the target box to enter your school's exact cutoff if it differs from the quick-target buttons.
Can it handle a curve or a dropped lowest score?
Not automatically. Calculate with the grades as your gradebook shows them, then treat the result as an estimate if your instructor curves or drops scores later.
Does the calculator save my grades?
No. The calculation runs in your browser, so the numbers you type are not sent to a server.