Formula
weighted average = Σ(value × weight) ÷ Σ(weight)
- value — each number being averaged
- weight — how much that number counts
Multiply each value by its weight, add them up, then divide by the total weight.
Worked example
Three weighted scores
- Value and weight on each line
- 85, 30 90, 20 70, 50
Weighted average
78.5
Total weight: 100
Sum of value × weight: 7,850
Simple (unweighted) average: 81.666667
How it works
With scores of 85, 90 and 70 weighted 30, 20 and 50, the weighted sum is 85×30 + 90×20 + 70×50 = 7,850 and the total weight is 100, so the weighted average is 78.5. The ordinary average of the same scores would be 81.67 — the heavily weighted 70 pulls the result down.
Weights can be percentages, credits, hours or any positive numbers. Only their proportions matter. For course grades with a letter grade see Weighted Marks and Grade Calculator; for a plain mean see Average Calculator.
Assumptions and limits
- Weights can't be negative, and they can't all be zero.