How to Calculate CGPA from SGPA (with a worked example)

SGPA and CGPA in one minute

SGPA (Semester Grade Point Average) summarises your results for a single semester. CGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average) summarises all the semesters completed so far. Most universities calculate both as credit-weighted averages, which means a subject with more credits has a bigger effect on the result than one with fewer credits.

The formula

SGPA = sum of (grade points × credits for each subject) ÷ total credits in the semester.

CGPA = sum of (grade points × credits for every subject so far) ÷ total credits so far. If every semester has a different number of credits, you cannot simply average the SGPAs; you should weight each SGPA by that semester's credits.

A worked example

Suppose semester 1 had 24 credits and an SGPA of 8.0, and semester 2 had 20 credits and an SGPA of 9.0. Weighted by credits, the total is 8.0 × 24 + 9.0 × 20 = 192 + 180 = 372. Dividing by 44 total credits gives a CGPA of about 8.45.

A plain average of 8.0 and 9.0 would give 8.5. The difference is small here, but it grows when credit loads differ a lot between semesters.

Converting CGPA to a percentage

Many applications ask for a percentage. Common conversions include multiplying a 10-point CGPA by 9.5, which is widely used, while some universities publish their own formula; for example, VTU uses (CGPA − 0.75) × 10. Because the rules differ, always check your university's official notification or ask your department before putting a converted number on a form.

Common mistakes

Averaging SGPAs without weighting them by credits.

Counting subjects that do not carry grade points, such as audit courses or non-credit requirements, if your university excludes them.

Forgetting how your university treats backlogs and re-attempts, which can replace or sit alongside the earlier grade.

Plan your next semester

Once you know your current CGPA and credits, you can work out what SGPA you need next semester to reach a target. Try a few values in the calculator to see how much one strong or weak semester moves the number. Later semesters move it less, because the total credits are larger.