Configuring the Canvas Grade Calculation

Guide for basic setup options of the Canvas grades and gradebook calculation

Overview 

Electronic gradebook tools, like those available in Canvas and other learning management systems (LMSs), are powerful tools that can automatically handle grade calculations. Furthermore, because grades can be made available for learners, LMS-based gradebooks provide learners access and real-time feedback regarding their progress in the course.

Canvas automatically calculates grades based on assignments, quizzes, and other grade items. The calculation can be points-based or weighted, depending upon the desired outcome and other considerations. In Canvas, the grade calculation is configured primarily via Assignments, instead of Grades.

Points vs. Weighted, Which to Choose?

While both approaches are suitable, the following provides a side-by-side comparison of the characteristics of each approach:

Points-Based Gradebook Weighted Gradebook

  • Provides a straightforward method of grade calculation—total points earned divided by total points possible

  • Uses each assessment's point value to convey its importance/contribution to the overall grade

  • Requires alignment of point values across assessments, rubrics, and marking guides

  • Uses the percentage weight to emphasize/communicate assignment contribution to the overall grade

  • Provides flexibility and adaptability when designing or iterating on assessments; assignment point values or rubric criteria can be adjusted without having to recalculate point values

  • Can be more difficult for learners to track progress

Configuring a Points-Based Gradebook

In Canvas, points are assigned to the individual assessment items through the Assignment or Quiz settings. By default, Canvas will add any graded items to the Assignments area and will calculate the course grade based on the number of points earned out of the number of points possible. You can use assignment groups to organize the graded items in the Assignments area, however, the groups will not influence how grades are calculated.

The following is an example of a Canvas Assignments area organized into groups, resulting in a points-based gradebook.

Canvas Assignments area with assignments organized into groups

Configuring a Weighted Gradebook in Canvas

In Canvas, to set up a weighted gradebook:

  1. Go to the Assignments area.
  2. Create assignment groups that correspond to the categories of assessment as defined in your course syllabus.
  3. Into each group, add the relevant assessments.
  4. From the kebab menu (three dots) in the top right corner of the page. Select Assignment Weight Groups. In the pop-up window, check “Weight final grade based on assignment groups.” Click Save.
  5. Once activated, you will be able to set the relative weight for each assignment group in the pop-up window.

    Sample Assignment Groups Weight popup demonstrating assignment weighting

  6. Alternatively, you can edit an individual group’s weight by click the kebab menu to the right of the group, selecting edit, and updating the “% of total grade field” in the pop-up box.

    Assignment Group editing option with assignment weight added

Additional Notes

  • The assigned weights should total to 100%, unless extra credit is to be awarded, in which case, the total weights can exceed 100%. See “How do I give extra credit in a course?” for more information.
  • For any assignment in a group weighted 0%, columns for the grade items will appear in the gradebook, but the grades will not be included in the grade calculation.


Keywords:
Canvas, Grades, Assignments, Gradebook, Assessment 
Doc ID:
162756
Owned by:
Dave P. in UI Gies College of Business
Created:
2026-07-20
Updated:
2026-07-21
Sites:
UI Gies College of Business