Enter your raw score (e.g. 72)
Please enter a score between 0 and 200.
Total points on the assignment
Please enter a value of 1 or more.
How the curve is applied
Flat points added to your score
Please enter a valid curve value.
Curved Score
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Curved %
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Letter Grade
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Points Gained
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How to Use the Grade Curve Calculator
Using this grade curve calculator takes less than 30 seconds. Enter your raw score and the maximum possible points for the assignment. Then choose your curve type and enter the curve amount. Hit Calculate to see your adjusted grade instantly.
- Enter your raw score — the actual points you earned before the curve.
- Enter the maximum score — the total points the assignment was worth (usually 100).
- Choose your curve type — ask your professor which method they use, or try each one.
- Enter the curve value — for a points curve, this is the extra points added.
- Click Calculate — your curved percentage and letter grade appear instantly.
What Is a Grade Curve?
A grade curve is an adjustment a professor makes to exam or assignment scores when the class average is lower than expected. Instead of failing most of the class, the professor raises all scores by a fixed amount, or recalculates them using a formula.
The most common types are the flat points curve (everyone gets +5 points), the square root curve (multiply your percentage square root by 10), and the linear scale (the highest score becomes 100%).
Frequently Asked Questions
Take your raw score and apply the curve formula your professor uses. For a flat curve, add the bonus points to your score, then divide by the maximum to get your percentage. For a square root curve, multiply the square root of your raw percentage by 10. This calculator does all of that automatically.
A square root curve takes the square root of your percentage score and multiplies it by 10. For example, if you scored 64%, the square root of 64 is 8, and 8 x 10 = 80%. This type of curve benefits lower scores more than higher ones, which is why many professors use it when the class struggles on a hard exam.
Almost always yes. A flat points curve always helps. A square root curve helps anyone below 100%. A linear scale curve helps everyone except the top scorer. There is no standard curve that would hurt your grade.
It depends on your original score. If you scored 87 out of 100 and your professor adds 5 points, your new score is 92%, moving you from a B+ to an A-. If you scored 58, a 5-point curve brings you to 63%, still a D. Use this calculator to check your specific situation instantly.
A 70% is a C- on the standard US grading scale. If your professor curves your grade up to 70%, you are right at the boundary between C- and C. Enter your score above to see your exact letter grade with whatever curve your class uses.
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