What's the Difference Between SGPA and CGPA? Understand the Difference.

What's the Difference Between SGPA and CGPA? Understand the Difference.

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Naman Mittal

| Updated On - May 8, 2026

SGPA (Semester Grade Point Average) is a grading system used to measure a student’s academic performance in a single semester. It is calculated based on the grades and credit points obtained in all subjects during that particular semester. SGPA helps students understand how they performed in one term of their course.

CGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average) is the overall average of all SGPAs achieved throughout the entire course or degree program. It represents a student’s cumulative academic performance across all semesters. Universities and employers often use CGPA to evaluate a student’s overall academic record.

For example, if you score 8.2 SGPA in Semester 1 and 8.8 SGPA in Semester 2, your CGPA after two semesters will be: CGPA = (8.2+8.8​) / 2 = 8.5

SGPA to CGPA Calculator

Note: SGPA must be between 0.0 and 10.0.

Also check, SGPA to CGPA Calculator: How to Convert


What is SGPA?

SGPA (Semester Grade Point Average) is the average grade point earned by a student in a single semester. It measures a student’s academic performance in a particular semester of a college or university program. In the SGPA system, letter grades are converted into numerical values known as grade points to evaluate performance.

SGPA is calculated as the weighted average of the grades obtained in all subjects during a semester. It helps students understand their academic strengths and weaknesses, allowing them to focus on areas that need improvement and perform better in future semesters.

SGPA Formula = ∑(Credit Points × Grade Points)​ /  ∑Credit Points


What is CGPA?

CGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average) is the overall average grade point achieved by a student throughout the entire course or degree program. It reflects a student’s cumulative academic performance across all semesters in a college or university.

CGPA is calculated by taking the average of the SGPA obtained in all semesters. It gives a complete overview of a student’s overall academic progress and consistency during the course. Universities, employers, and scholarship providers often use CGPA to evaluate a student’s academic record and overall performance.

CGPA Formula = ∑ SGPA of all semesters​ / Total Number of Semesters

Difference Between SGPA and CGPA

Basis SGPA CGPA
Full Form Semester Grade Point Average Cumulative Grade Point Average
Meaning Shows performance in one semester Shows overall performance in the entire course
Duration Calculated for a single semester Calculated for all semesters combined
Calculation Based on grades of subjects in one semester Based on the average of all semester SGPAs
Purpose Measures semester-wise academic performance Measures overall academic performance
Changes Changes every semester Updates after every semester
Maximum Value Depends on university grading scale Depends on university grading scale
Common Scale Usually calculated on a 10-point scale Usually calculated on a 10-point scale
Importance Helps track performance in a particular semester Helps evaluate overall course performance
Used For Semester results and progress tracking Placements, higher studies, and final academic records

How is SGPA And CGPA Calculated?

As a prospective student, you must know the difference between SGPA and CGPA percentage calculations to have an idea of your academic progress. Understanding the calculations will enable you to make effective decisions to get into universities abroad for your desired courses. Given below are the calculations of SGPA and CGPA with examples:

SGPA Calculation Process:

The formula for calculating SGPA is: SGPA =∑(Credit Points × Grade Points)​ / ∑Credit Points

where,
Credit Points = number of credits required for the chosen course
Grade Points = Points corresponding to the grade that is achieved in a course

Example 1:

Subject Credit Points (CP) Grade Grade Points (GP) Subject-wise Score (CP x GP)
Mathematics 4 A 8 32
Physics 3 B+ 7 21
English Literature 3 B 6 18
History 2 A 8 16
Chemistry 4 B 6 24
Total 16 111

SGPA = Credit Points x Grade Points Sum / Credit Points Sum
SGPA = 111 / 16
SGPA = 6.93

Therefore, the SGPA for a semester for the above given courses is 6.93.

Example 2:

Course Credit Points (CP) Grade Grade Points (GP) Subject-wise Score (CP x GP)
Course 1 3 B 3.0 9.0
Course 2 4 A 4.0 16.0
Course 3 3 C 2.0 6.0

SGPA = Credits x Grade Points Sum / Credit Points Sum
Sum of Credit point and grade points earned = 9.0 + 16.0 + 6.0 = 31.0
Total number of credits = 3 + 4 + 3 = 10
SGPA = 31.0/10 = 3.1

Therefore, the SGPA for a semester for the above given courses is 3.1


CGPA Calculation Process:

To calculate the CGPA, all semester SGPAs are added together and then divided by the total number of semesters. For example, suppose a student gets:

8.2 SGPA in Semester 1,
8.6 SGPA in Semester 2,
8.4 SGPA in Semester 3, and
9.0 SGPA in Semester 4.

CGPA = (8.2+8.6+8.4+9.0) / 4​ = 8.55

So, the final CGPA of the student is 8.55, which represents the overall academic performance across all semesters.


You must have a complete understanding of the difference between SGPA and CGPA to study abroad. For securing admission to top universities, you must have a good SGPA and CGPA. You must strengthen your weakened areas and enhance your knowledge to get good marks. Analysis of SGPA of each semester will help you to track your progress level and thus enable you to improve your performance level. Prospective students must focus on their studies to achieve a good CGPA.


FAQs

Ques: Which is better, CGPA or SGPA?

Ans: CGPA defines the overall performance of the students throughout the year. It is a broader picture to analyze the capabilities of students. SGPA is the measurement of performance for a shorter time frame in a semester.

Ques: What is the CGPA for 7.50 SGPA?

Ans: The CGPA for 7.5 SGPA is 7.5. If you calculate the CGPA for one semester, then the SGPA will be the CGPA.

Ques: How to convert SGPA into CGPA?

Ans: For calculating the CGPA, you have to sum up the SGPA values for all semesters and divide that sum by the total number of semesters completed. Suppose the sum of SGPA of all semesters= 8.2 + 7.8 + 8.5 + 8.0 = 32.5. Therefore CGPA= 32.5 / 4 = 8.125.

Ques: What is the CGPA of 8.5 SGPA?

Ans: If your CGPA is 8.5, the percentage would be 80.75%. By dividing it by 9.5, you will get an SGPA of 8.5. You can use this method to convert grades to get admission to universities abroad.

Ques: What percentage is 8.00 in SGPA?

Ans: The percentage of 8.0 in SGPA is 72.5%. This percentage is the score achieved in a semester.

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