How to calculate your weighted GPA or average (step by step)
Updated on 2026-01-15 · Read 6 min
Your university average or GPA affects scholarships, exchanges and your first job opportunity. Here we explain how to calculate it correctly, the difference between a simple and a weighted average, and how to project the grade you need to reach your goal.
Simple average vs. weighted average
A simple average adds all your grades and divides by the number of grades. It works when every assessment is worth the same.
A weighted average takes into account that each assessment has a different weight. This is what almost every university uses, because a final exam is not worth the same as a quiz.
Weighted average formula
Multiply each grade by its weight (or credits), add those products and divide by the sum of the weights.
- Weighted average = Σ (grade × weight) ÷ Σ (weight)
- If the weights are credits, the result is your credit-weighted average
- Weights are usually expressed as percentages (for example, 30%)
Worked example
Suppose you have three assessments: midterm 1 with a grade of 5.0 and a 20% weight, midterm 2 with a grade of 6.0 and a 30% weight, and a final exam with a grade of 5.5 and a 50% weight. The calculation would be: (5.0×20 + 6.0×30 + 5.5×50) ÷ 100 = (100 + 180 + 275) ÷ 100 = 5.55.
- Multiply each grade by its percentage
- Add the results: 555
- Divide by the sum of the weights (100): 5.55
How to find the grade you need to pass
If you have already taken some assessments and know their grades, you can solve for the minimum grade you need on the remaining assessment to reach your target. The idea is: (target grade × total weight − points already earned) ÷ remaining weight.
Mi Malla's calculator does this automatically: you enter your assessments with their grades and weights, and it shows the grade you need plus your cumulative average.
Common mistakes when calculating your average
- Confusing points with percentages
- Dividing by the number of grades when the average is actually weighted
- Forgetting that some courses carry more credits than others
- Leaving out workshop or assignment grades that also count
Calculate your average automatically
Recording your grades manually every term is tedious and error-prone. Mi Malla includes a per-course weighted average calculator that updates your cumulative GPA in real time.
Frequently asked questions
How is a weighted average calculated?
Multiply each grade by its weight, add the results and divide by the sum of the weights. If the weights are percentages, the sum of the weights is 100.
What is the difference between a simple and a weighted average?
A simple average treats all grades equally; a weighted average assigns each assessment the weight defined by your university. Almost all universities use the weighted average.
How do I know what grade I need to pass a course?
With your grades and weights so far, solve for the grade you need on the remaining assessment given your target grade. A grade calculator does it for you.
Does Mi Malla calculate my average automatically?
Yes. You enter each course's assessments with their grades and weights, and Mi Malla calculates your weighted average and projects the grade you need for your goal.
Put it into practice with Mi Malla
Import your study plan, calculate your average and manage your studies. Free.
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