SGPA (Semester Grade Point Average) shows your performance for one semester. CGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average) tracks your overall academic record across all semesters. Both are vital for students—SGPA helps you monitor progress term by term, while CGPA is often checked for jobs, scholarships, or grad school applications. Let’s break it down and make it simple!
Differences Between SGPA and CGPA
SGPA is your score for a single semester, based only on that term’s grades and credits. CGPA combines all your semesters into one number, reflecting your entire academic journey so far. SGPA updates each term; CGPA grows as you complete more semesters.
How SGPA and CGPA Are Calculated
Both use a grade point system—usually a 4.0 scale (common in the U.S.) or a 10.0 scale (used in places like India). Here’s how to calculate them:
- SGPA Calculation:
- Assign grade points to each course (e.g., A = 4 on 4.0 scale, 9 on 10.0 scale).
- Multiply grade points by course credits.
- Add these up and divide by total credits for the semester.
Formula: SGPA = (Σ [Grade Points × Credits]) ÷ Total Credits
- CGPA Calculation:
- Take SGPA for each semester.
- Multiply each SGPA by its semester’s credits (if credits vary).
- Sum these and divide by total credits across all semesters.
Formula: CGPA = (Σ [SGPA × Semester Credits]) ÷ Total Credits
If credits are equal per semester, just average the SGPAs.
Percentage Conversions for SGPA and CGPA
Some schools use percentages instead of grade points, or you might need to convert for applications. Here’s how:
- SGPA to Percentage:
- For 10.0 scale: Percentage = SGPA × 10
- For 4.0 scale: Percentage = SGPA × 25 (approximation, varies by institution)
- CGPA to Percentage:
- For 10.0 scale: Percentage = CGPA × 10
- For 4.0 scale: Percentage = CGPA × 25 (check your school’s exact formula)
Here are quick reference tables:
10.0 Scale Conversion Table
| SGPA/CGPA | Percentage |
|---|---|
| 10.0 | 100% |
| 9.0 | 90% |
| 8.0 | 80% |
| 7.0 | 70% |
| 6.0 | 60% |
4.0 Scale Conversion Table (Approximate)
| SGPA/CGPA | Percentage |
|---|---|
| 4.0 | 100% |
| 3.0 | 75% |
| 2.0 | 50% |
| 1.0 | 25% |
| 0.0 | 0% |
| Note: Confirm with your institution, as 4.0 scale conversions can differ (e.g., some use 90-100% for 4.0). |
Step-by-Step Guide to Using an SGPA to CGPA Calculator
Here’s how to use the calculator on this page:
- Input SGPA Values: Enter your SGPA for each semester.
- Add Credits: If prompted, include credit hours per semester.
- Pick Your Scale: Choose 4.0, 10.0, or your school’s system.
- Calculate: Hit the button—your CGPA pops up instantly.
- Check Results: See your CGPA and, if available, percentage conversion.
1. The Weighted Average Method
This is the most common and accurate method, especially if the number of credits varies between semesters.
Steps:
- Step 1: List all semesters with their SGPA and the number of credits (or weight) for each semester.
- Step 2: Multiply each semester’s SGPA by the corresponding credits.
- Step 3: Sum up all these weighted values.
- Step 4: Sum up the total credits across all semesters.
- Step 5: Divide the total weighted sum by the total credits.
Formula: CGPA = (SGPA1 * Credits1 + SGPA2 * Credits2 + … + SGPA_n * Credits_n) / (Credits1 + Credits2 + … + Credits_n)SGPAi×Creditsi)
Example:
| Semester | SGPA | Credits | Weighted Score (SGPA × Credits) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8.0 | 20 | 160 |
| 2 | 8.5 | 22 | 187 |
| 3 | 9.0 | 18 | 162 |
- Total Weighted Score = 160 + 187 + 162 = 509
- Total Credits = 20 + 22 + 18 = 60
Then,CGPA=50960≈8.48\text{CGPA} = \frac{509}{60} \approx 8.48CGPA=60509≈8.48
2. Simple Average Method
If every semester has the same number of credits (or weight), you can simply average the SGPAs.
Steps:
- Step 1: Sum the SGPA values from each semester.
- Step 2: Divide by the number of semesters.
Formula: CGPA = (SGPA1 + SGPA2 + … + SGPA_n) / n
Example:
If you have three semesters with SGPA values of 8.0, 8.5, and 9.0, then:CGPA=8.0+8.5+9.03=25.53≈8.5\text{CGPA} = \frac{8.0 + 8.5 + 9.0}{3} = \frac{25.5}{3} \approx 8.5CGPA=38.0+8.5+9.0=325.5≈8.5
Note: This method only works accurately when all semesters have equal weight.
3. Converting SGPA to Percentage (and Then to CGPA)
In some institutions, converting your SGPA to a percentage first might be the norm, and then the percentage might be used to derive a cumulative score.
Steps to Convert SGPA to Percentage:
- Step 1: Multiply your SGPA by a conversion factor (commonly 10, but this might vary).
- Formula:Percentage = SGPA * 10
Example:
For an SGPA of 8.5:Percentage=8.5×10=85%\text{Percentage} = 8.5 \times 10 = 85\%Percentage=8.5×10=85%
Once you have the percentage for each semester, you can average these percentages (weighted by credits if needed) to get an overall percentage, which then can be mapped back to a CGPA if your institution provides a conversion table.
Examples of SGPA to CGPA and Percentage Conversion
Let’s run through two examples:
- Example 1: 10.0 Scale, Equal Credits
Semester 1 SGPA = 8.5, Semester 2 SGPA = 9.0, Semester 3 SGPA = 8.8
CGPA = (8.5 + 9.0 + 8.8) ÷ 3 = 8.77
Percentage = 8.77 × 10 = 87.7% - Example 2: 4.0 Scale, Varying Credits
Semester 1: SGPA 3.2 (15 credits), Semester 2: SGPA 3.5 (18 credits)
CGPA = [(3.2 × 15) + (3.5 × 18)] ÷ (15 + 18) = (48 + 63) ÷ 33 = 3.36
Percentage = 3.36 × 25 = 84% (approximate)
Table of Example Results
| Semester | SGPA | Credits | CGPA | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (10.0) | 8.5 | 20 | – | 85% |
| 2 (10.0) | 9.0 | 20 | – | 90% |
| 3 (10.0) | 8.8 | 20 | 8.77 | 87.7% |
| 1 (4.0) | 3.2 | 15 | – | 80% |
| 2 (4.0) | 3.5 | 18 | 3.36 | 84% |
FAQs
- How many semesters are included in CGPA?
All semesters you’ve completed so far—every term counts toward your CGPA! - Why is my SGPA higher than my CGPA?
A strong semester can outpace your overall average. It’s normal and shows improvement! - What if my school uses a different scale (e.g., 5.0 or 7.0)?
Check your school’s grading policy and adjust the calculator inputs if it supports custom scales—or convert manually first. - Can I calculate CGPA if I failed a course?
Yes, failed courses (with grade points like 0) still factor into your SGPA and CGPA. Include them for accuracy. - How do I convert percentage to SGPA or CGPA?
Reverse it: Divide by 10 for a 10.0 scale (e.g., 75% = 7.5) or by 25 for a 4.0 scale (e.g., 75% = 3.0). Confirm with your school. - What if my semester credits aren’t equal?
No problem—multiply each SGPA by its credits, then divide by total credits. The calculator handles this automatically! - Does retaking a course affect my CGPA?
It depends on your school. Some replace the old grade; others average both. Check your policy and update inputs accordingly.
SGPA and CGPA don’t have to be confusing—nor does converting them to percentages. Our free SGPA to CGPA calculator on this page does the heavy lifting for you. Plug in your numbers, get your results, and see where you stand—try it now!