What is SGPA and CGPA? Key Differences, Formula, and How to Calculate

Introduction: Grades, Numbers, and Confusion

If you’re in college or university, you’ve probably seen terms like SGPA and CGPA on your mark sheets. For many students, these numbers decide scholarships, higher studies, and even jobs. But what exactly do they mean? What’s the difference between SGPA and CGPA? And most importantly, how do you calculate SGPA and CGPA with formula and examples?

Now, here’s the twist: one strong semester can lift your SGPA fast, but CGPA moves slower—it’s your full journey. Recruiters scan both. Admissions committees compare both. Get your marks right and open doors to internships, visas, scholarships. Bookmark this guide, share with friends, and calculate along.

Don’t worry—you’re not alone. Many students mix them up. In simple words:

• SGPA = marks for one semester.

• CGPA = marks for the whole program (all semesters together).

Does this sound simple, right? But there’s more. Let’s break it step by step.

What is SGPA?

SGPA full form is Semester Grade Point Average.
It is the average grade point you score in a single semester.

Every subject or paper in your semester has:

• Credits (weightage of the subject)

• Grade Points (marks converted into grades)

SGPA is basically a weighted average of grade points and credits.

Example: If you got higher marks in a 4-credit subject, it matters more than a 2-credit subject. That’s why SGPA is not just a plain average.

So, SGPA meaning in education = “the average performance of a student in one semester.”

What is CGPA?

CGPA full form is Cumulative Grade Point Average.
It is the overall grade point average across all semesters combined.

Think of it as the “final big picture.” If SGPA is like your semester report card, CGPA is the entire academic report till date.

Example: If you completed 6 semesters in college, your CGPA will be calculated from all 6 SGPAs, not just one.

So, CGPA meaning in university = “the cumulative measure of academic performance over the whole course.”

SGPA vs CGPA: Key Differences

Here’s a table to make things crystal clear:

In short: SGPA = one snapshot, CGPA = full movie.

How to Calculate SGPA?

 Formula for SGPA

Where:

• Grade Point = Number value of your grade. (example: A = 9, B = 8, C = 7, etc.).

• Credits = Weight or importance of the subject. (for example, a lab may carry 2 credits, while a core subject may carry 4 credits).

Explanation in a Step-by-Step Manner

1. Multiply → For every subject, perform multiplication of credits × grade point.
   Example: Subject has 4 credits and you scored A (9 points) → 4 × 9 = 36

2. Add them up → Do this for all subjects in the semester. Add all the results together.

3. Divide → Take that total and divide it by the sum of all subject credits for that semester.
   This gives the average score = SGPA.

Example of SGPA calculation:

Suppose in Semester 1 you had 5 subjects:

Step 1 - Add Credit × Grade Point = 36 + 24 + 14 + 30 + 36 = 140
Step 2 - Add Credits = 4 + 3 + 2 + 3 + 4 = 16
Step 3 - SGPA = 140 ÷ 16 = 8.75

So, your SGPA for Semester 1 = 8.75.

How to Calculate CGPA?

Formula for CGPA:

Where:

• SGPA = Semester Grade Point Average—calculated separately for each semester.

• Semester Credits = Total credits in that semester i.e. sum of all subjects for that semester.

Explanation in a Stepwise Manner

1. Calculate SGPA for each semester – Use the SGPA formula for every semester (as we explained earlier).

2. Multiply each SGPA with total semester credits – This gives the weighted score for that semester.

3. Add all weighted scores – Do this for all semesters in your course/program.

4. Divide by total credits across all semesters – This gives you the overall performance = CGPA.

Example of CGPA calculation:

Suppose you completed 4 semesters with the following SGPA:

• Semester 1 = 8.75

• Semester 2 = 9.10

• Semester 3 = 8.50

• Semester 4 = 9.00

Step 1: Add all SGPAs = 8.75 + 9.10 + 8.50 + 9.00 = 35.35
Step 2: Divide by number of semesters = 35.35 ÷ 4 = 8.84

So, your CGPA after 4 semesters = 8.84

SGPA to CGPA Conversion

Many students ask: “How to convert SGPA into CGPA?”

Simple rule:

• Collect all your semester SGPAs.

• Take the average of them.

If you already have SGPAs of all semesters, then:

Where:

• SGPA₁, SGPA₂, … SGPAₙ = Semester GPAs.

• n = Total number of semesters.

This formula works if all semesters have equal credit weight (common in many universities).

Example: If you had SGPA = 8.2, 8.5, 9.0, 8.7 in four semesters:
CGPA = (8.2 + 8.5 + 9.0 + 8.7) ÷ 4 = 8.6

There’s no universal shortcut like SGPA ÷ 9.5 (that’s used for percentage conversion sometimes). For CGPA, it’s just averaging.

Weighted Formula (when credits differ)

If semesters have different total credits, you need weighted formula:

• This makes sure semesters with more credits count more in final CGPA.

Tip:

• If all semesters have same credits, use simple average.

• If credits different semester to semester, use weighted average.

SGPA and CGPA to Percentage Conversion

Most universities also provide conversion into percentage, because employers and exams often ask for it.

CGPA → Percentage (Common Standard)

• Formula: Percentage = CGPA × 9.5

• This is widely used across Indian education boards.

• Example: CGPA = 8.0 → Percentage = 8.0 × 9.5 = 76%
   

SGPA → Percentage (Varies by University)

• Common conversion method: Percentage = (SGPA × 10) – 7.5, used by many educational portals.

• Example: SGPA = 7.2 → Percentage = (7.2 × 10) – 7.5 = 64.5%

• This isn’t a universal rule—always check your specific institution’s formula.

Summarization:

Why SGPA and CGPA Matter?

Most students think grades are just numbers on a sheet. But SGPA and CGPA can literally shape your future—from scholarships to jobs, even study-abroad visas. One decimal point can decide if you get shortlisted or rejected. That’s why students across India, the U.S., and beyond keep asking: “Is my CGPA good enough?” or “Will my SGPA pull up my overall grade?”. 

Here’s why they matter in real life:

• Tracking progress → SGPA shows how you’re doing semester by semester.

• Scholarships → Many colleges ask for a minimum CGPA for scholarship eligibility. Without a good CGPA, scholarship is not easy.

• Placements → Recruiters often put CGPA cut-off, like 7.0 or 8.0. Low CGPA, less chance for a job.

• Higher Studies → Masters programs like MBA, MS abroad also check CGPA or GPA. Good CGPA helps admission.

• Self-evaluation → CGPA shows strong subjects and weak subjects. Know yourself better.

Bottom line → SGPA shows short-term performance, CGPA shows long-term journey of your study.

GPA vs SGPA vs CGPA – What’s the Difference?

When students search about grades online, they often see GPA, SGPA, CGPA used like same thing. But actually, they are not the same. Students often confuse GPA, SGPA, CGPA. All show academic performance, but scope & use are different. Let’s clear all the confusion surrounding GPA.

What is GPA?

GPA (Grade Point Average) is a general term. It shows average grade points across all subjects. Usually 4.0 scale or 10.0 scale, depending on the country.

• Abroad (USA, Canada, Europe): GPA is universal. Can mean semester GPA or overall GPA, depending on context.

• India & Asia: Word “GPA” less common. Here, universities use SGPA (Semester GPA) and CGPA (Cumulative GPA).