IB Diploma Points Calculator
Enter your six subject grades with their levels, plus your theory of knowledge and extended essay grades. The calculator adds up your points out of 45 and checks every failing condition, so you see whether the diploma is awarded — and, if not, exactly why. Free, no sign-up.
Subjects
Core
Result
35 of 45
Total points
33
Subject points
2
TOK and EE points
17
HL points (12 needed)
16
SL points (9 needed)
Diploma requirements met: no failing condition applies.
Not checked here: an N (no grade) in any component, or a penalty for academic misconduct — both also stop the diploma.
TOK and EE points matrix
| EE ↓ · TOK → | A | B | C | D | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | Fail |
| B | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | Fail |
| C | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | Fail |
| D | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Fail |
| E | Fail | Fail | Fail | Fail | Fail |
How to Use the IB Diploma Points Calculator
- 1. Enter your six subjects. For each, choose higher level (HL) or standard level (SL) and the grade from 1 to 7. A diploma takes three or four subjects at HL and the rest at SL.
- 2. Enter your core. Choose your theory of knowledge (TOK) and extended essay (EE) grades from A to E, and untick CAS if your creativity, activity, service requirements are not complete.
- 3. Read the total and the checks. You get your points out of 45 with the HL and SL subtotals, then either confirmation that no failing condition applies or a list of the conditions that stop the diploma.
How IB Diploma Points Add Up
Each of the six subjects is graded from 1 to 7, and each grade counts as that many points. TOK and the EE are graded from A to E and combined in the diploma points matrix for up to 3 core points. The maximum is therefore 6 × 7 + 3 = 45, and the diploma needs at least 24.
| Extended essay | TOK A | TOK B | TOK C | TOK D | TOK E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | Fail |
| B | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | Fail |
| C | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | Fail |
| D | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Fail |
| E | Fail | Fail | Fail | Fail | Fail |
The diploma points matrix in the IB's Diploma Programme Assessment procedures 2025 (Figure 8). An E — or no grade at all — in either component is a failing condition.
The Diploma's Failing Conditions
Reaching 24 points is necessary but not enough. Under the IB's Diploma Programme Assessment procedures 2025 (updated May 2025), the diploma is not awarded if any of these applies:
- CAS requirements have not been met.
- The total is fewer than 24 points.
- An N (no grade) is given for TOK, the EE or a contributing subject.
- A grade E is awarded for TOK, the EE or both.
- A grade 1 is awarded in any subject.
- Grade 2 is awarded three or more times, at HL or SL.
- Grade 3 or below is awarded four or more times, at HL or SL.
- HL subjects total fewer than 12 points — with four HL subjects, the three highest grades count.
- SL subjects total fewer than 9 points — with only two SL subjects, at least 5 points are needed.
- The Final Award Committee has imposed a penalty for academic misconduct.
The calculator checks every condition you can enter here. N grades and academic misconduct are listed for completeness but not modelled.
Worked Examples
HL grades of 6, 6 and 5 with SL grades of 6, 5 and 5 make 33 subject points. A B in TOK and a B in the EE add 2 core points, for a total of 35 — and with 17 HL points and 16 SL points, no failing condition applies.
Now take HL grades of 4, 4 and 3 with SL grades of 6, 6 and 5, plus an A in TOK and a B in the EE: 11 + 17 + 3 = 31 points, well over 24. But the HL subjects total only 11 — below the 12-point minimum — so the diploma is not awarded.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many points do you need to pass the IB Diploma?
- At least 24 of the 45 available points, with no failing condition. A student can reach 24 or more and still miss the diploma — for example with fewer than 12 points at HL, an E in TOK or the extended essay, or a grade 1 in any subject.
- How are TOK and extended essay points calculated?
- Both are graded from A to E, and the pair is looked up in the diploma points matrix: A with A or B earns 3 points, the combinations fall to 0 at C with D and D with D, and an E in either is a failing condition. The matrix is symmetric, so it does not matter which component has the higher grade.
- What is the maximum IB score?
- 45 points: a 7 in each of six subjects makes 42, plus 3 core points from TOK and the extended essay.
- Can you fail the IB Diploma with 24 points or more?
- Yes. The total is only one requirement. The diploma is also withheld for incomplete CAS, an E in TOK or the EE, a grade 1, three or more grade 2s, four or more grades of 3 or below, fewer than 12 HL points or too few SL points.
- How do HL points work with four HL subjects?
- With four HL subjects, only your three highest HL grades count toward the 12-point HL minimum, and your two SL subjects need at least 5 points between them instead of 9. All six grades still count toward your total.
- Does CAS give IB points?
- No. Creativity, activity, service is not graded and earns no points, but it must be completed — an incomplete CAS programme is a failing condition whatever your total.