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Home > Assignments > How do I create Assignment weights?
How do I create Assignment weights?
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You can create Assignment Groups and assign weights (%) for each assignment group to calculate the final grade out of a total of 100%.

Note: Canvas treats all graded items as Assignments, e.g.,  Discussions, Quizzes,  etc.

The weights for all assignment groups must add up to a total of 100% (unless you are offering extra credit opportunities, in which case your weights may total 200%. Please see our managing extra credit in Canvas resource for more information).

The following is an example of weights for three assignment groups:

  • Assignments: 50%
  • Discussions: 10%
  • Exams: 40%

How to create assignment group weights

If you do not have any assignment groups in your course, you will need to create assignment groups and then come back to these directions.

  1. Select Assignments in  your course navigation menu.
    Canvas sidebar menu highlighting the Assignments link
  2. Select the assignments setting (three vertically stacked dots) button and select Assignment Group Weights from the menu that appears.
    Three-dot settings icon menu with Assignment Group Weights option selected
  3. In the window that appears, check the box for Weight final grade based on assignment groups.
    Weight final grade based on assignment groups checkbox in the Assignment Group Weights pop-up
  4. Make edits to the group weight as necessary and select the Save button
    Dialog box showing input fields for assignment group percentages and the Save button

How to create assignment groups

  1. Select Assignments in  your course navigation menu.
    Canvas sidebar menu highlighting the Assignments link
  2. Selecting the + Group button in the upper right.
    The '+ Group' button located in the upper right corner of the Assignments page
  3. In the window that appears, type in the group name (e.g., Assignments) and select the Save button. If you have already enabled assignment group weights in your course, then you will need to enter in the weight (%) that you wish to assign this grouping. If you have not enabled assignment group weights yet, then you will not need to enter in the percentage weighting.
    Add Assignment Group window with fields for Group Name and Percentage Weight
  4. You have successfully created the assignment group "Assignments".
    Canvas interface showing the newly created Assignments group banner
  5. Repeat Steps 2-4 to create more assignment groups.

How to create graded item templates within your assignment groups

You can also create all assignment/graded item templates (e.g., Discussions, Quizzes, Assignments) for each group here on the Assignments page. Follow the steps below.

  1. Select the + Button in an assignment group
    The '+' add icon located within a specific assignment group header
  2. From the drop-down menu, select the Type of assignment to be created, enter Points for the assignment, and select the Save button.
    Add Assignment to Assignments dialog showing Type selection and Points entry field

Note: Only Published content that is ready to be accessed by students.

See the screenshot below for a complete example of Assignments and Assignment Groups with weights in a course.
Comprehensive view of the Assignments page showing multiple groups with weights totaling 100 percent

Further Resources:

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