How to Calculate Your Average Grade
Last updated: October 11, 2026
The simplest way to find an average grade is to add up your scores and divide by how many there are. That works in some situations and gives the wrong answer in others.
The simple average
Average = sum of scores ÷ number of scores
Example: 92, 85, 78 and 88. Added together they make 343. 343 ÷ 4 = 85.75.
When it works
A simple average is right when every score counts equally, for example four quizzes that are each out of the same number of points.
When it does not
If assignments are worth different numbers of points, a bigger one should count for more. Example: 10 out of 10 on a quiz and 40 out of 80 on a test.
- Averaging the percentages: (100% + 50%) ÷ 2 = 75%
- Using points: 50 ÷ 90 = 55.6%
The points-based answer is the right one, because the test was worth far more. See how to calculate your class grade.
If your class has weighted categories, use the weighted grade method instead.
Average across classes
To average grades across different classes, use a GPA. It counts each class by its credit hours. See how to calculate your GPA.