Canvas Grade Calculator
Last updated: October 13, 2026
Canvas shows a total grade at the top of your Grades page, and it is calculated from the assignments that have been graded. Whether it uses total points or weighted groups depends on how your instructor set up the course. This guide explains both so you can check the number and test future scores.
Where to find your grade in Canvas
Open the course, then choose Grades in the course navigation. Each assignment is listed with your score and the points possible, and the total is shown at the bottom of the table or in the sidebar. Some courses also show a letter grade next to the percentage.
How Canvas calculates your total
Canvas uses one of two methods, chosen by your instructor.
- Total points. Canvas adds every point you earned and every point possible, then divides. See how to calculate your grade in a class.
- Weighted by assignment group. Each group, such as homework or exams, has a percentage of the grade. Canvas finds your percentage in each group and combines them by weight. See how to calculate a weighted grade.
If your Grades page shows a column called “Assignments are weighted by group percentage,” your course uses the second method.
Graded assignments only versus counting zeros
Canvas has a checkbox on the Grades page, “Calculate based only on graded assignments.” When it is on, assignments without a score are ignored and your total shows your grade so far. When it is off, ungraded assignments count as zero, which shows the lowest your final grade could be. The two totals can be far apart early in the term, so check which one you are looking at.
What-if scores in Canvas
Canvas lets you type a pretend score into the score column for any assignment and watch the total change. Click the score for an assignment, enter a number and press Enter. The what-if total is for you only and does not change your real grade. You can use it for an assignment that has not been graded, or to try a different score on one that has. See the what-if grade calculator guide.
Dropped scores and other rules
Instructors can drop the lowest scores in a group, keep the highest, or never drop a particular assignment. Canvas applies these rules to your total, so a by-hand calculation that includes every score can differ from the Canvas number. Excused assignments are left out of both the points earned and the points possible.
Using Grade Calculator with Canvas
Add each of your Canvas assignments to the standard calculator, or to the college calculator if your course weights its groups. Paste support for Canvas is still being added, so for now enter the assignments by hand. Then change any score, or add an upcoming assignment, to see your class grade update.
If your number does not match Canvas
- Check whether “Calculate based only on graded assignments” is on.
- Look for assignment group weights on the Grades page.
- Look for dropped or excused assignments.
- Check for extra credit, which adds earned points without adding points possible.
- Ask your instructor if the totals still disagree.
Frequently asked questions
How does Canvas calculate my grade?
Canvas either divides total points earned by total points possible, or combines each assignment group’s percentage using the group weights your instructor set.
Why is my Canvas grade different from my own calculation?
The usual causes are assignment group weights, dropped scores, excused assignments, extra credit, or the checkbox that counts ungraded assignments as zero.
Can I see what my grade would be with a different score in Canvas?
Yes. On the Grades page, click a score, type a what-if value and press Enter. The total updates for you only.
Does Canvas count missing assignments as zero?
It can. When Canvas is set to calculate based only on graded assignments, missing ones are ignored. Instructors can also apply a missing policy that enters a zero automatically.
Calculate it automatically
Paste your gradebook into Grade Calculator and the table fills in on its own. Change any score, or add an upcoming assignment, to see your class grade update.