Every student has seen the terms CGPA, SGPA, and GPA on their report cards or transcripts but very few know what they actually mean.
Are they the same? Why are some on a 10-point scale and others on a 4-point scale? And most importantly which one matters more?
This article explains everything about CGPA vs SGPA vs GPA in a simple and practical way with formulas, examples, and global conversion systems.
CGPA
CGPA means Cumulative Grade Point Average. It reflects your overall academic performance across all semesters or entire program duration.It’s the weighted average of all SGPAs (or GPAs) obtained during your degree.
Formula for CGPA
CGPA=Σ(SGPA×Semester Credits) / Σ(Total Credits)
SGPA
SGPA stands for Semester Grade Point Average. It represents your academic performance for a single semester.
Formula for SGPA
SGPA=Σ(Credit×Grade Point) / Σ(Credits)
GPA
GPA stands for Grade Point Average. It is a general term for the average grade obtained over a specific academic period (semester, year, or even the whole course). It’s the international equivalent of SGPA, commonly used in the USA, Canada, Australia, and many other countries.
Formula for GPA
GPA=Σ(Credit Hours×Grade Points) / Σ(Credit Hours)
Differences of CGPA vs SGPA vs GPA
| Feature | SGPA | GPA | CGPA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Form | Semester Grade Point Average | Grade Point Average | Cumulative Grade Point Average |
| Meaning | Average of one semester | Average grade over term/year | Average of all semesters |
| Duration | One semester | One semester/year | Entire course |
| Used In | Indian universities | U.S., Canada, Australia | Indian & Asian universities |
| Scale | 10-point | 4-point | 10-point |
| Example | 8.2 / 10 | 3.4 / 4.0 | 8.5 / 10 |
| Purpose | Tracks short-term performance | Measures academic average | Evaluates full course performance |
💡 In simple words:
- SGPA = One semester’s performance
- GPA = International term for academic average
- CGPA = Complete degree average
Conversion Between CGPA, SGPA, and GPA
1. SGPA to CGPA
If you have multiple SGPAs, take their average,
CGPA=Σ(SGPAs) / Number of Semesters
Example:
(8.2 + 8.5 + 8.7 + 9.0) ÷ 4 = 8.6
2. CGPA to GPA
GPA=(CGPA÷10)×4
Example:
If CGPA = 8.5,
GPA = (8.5 ÷ 10) × 4 = 3.4 / 4.0
3. CGPA to Percentage
Percentage=CGPA×9.5
Example:
8.5 × 9.5 = 80.75%
Conclusion
All three CGPA, SGPA, and GPA represent your academic performance but at different stages of your education, SGPA shows your performance for one semester, GPA is the global grading equivalent (semester/year average), CGPA combines all semesters to reflect your final academic achievement.
Whether you are aiming for top placements in India or higher studies abroad, understanding these grading systems will help you present your academic performance clearly and confidently.