CGPA vs GPA: Difference between CGPA and GPA

CGPA vs GPA: Difference between CGPA and GPA

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Aishwarya
Aishwarya Bhatnagar
Study Abroad Expert
Updated on May 12, 2026 15:12 IST
There is a huge difference between CGPA and GPA, but they are both used for a common assessment of a student’s academic performance. While CGPA is more widely used in Indian institutions, GPA on the other hand is widely used for admission to universities abroad and assesses international students.

There is a huge difference between CGPA and GPA. They are used to assess the academic performance of a student. Use our free CGPA to GPA Converter:

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Both GPA and CGPA are used for calculating academic performance of an applicant. Even though they belong to the same family, yet they hold different meaning. GPA is more widely used abroad as compared to CGPA.

CGPA is calculated on a 10.0 points scale, while GPA is calculated on a 4.0 points scale. The first is more important regarding placements, while the latter holds value for abroad admissions among a competitive pool of applicants.

This article provides comprehensive information on CGPA vs. GPA. We will also dicuss how they are used for calculation. Also how different countries use GPA and CGPA for offering admissions or evaluating student profiles.

Table of contents
  • What are GPA and CGPA?
  • What is GPA?
  • What is CGPA?
  • CGPA vs GPA: Key Differences
  • How to Convert CGPA to GPA?
  • Is Conversion from CGPA to GPA Always Authentic?
  • Comparison of GPA and CGPA Systems Worldwide
View More

What are GPA and CGPA?

There are two metrics that are used for calculating final scores. These are GPA and CGPA. Both the GPA and CGPA are calculated semester wise also and annually as well, but have different formulae. To understand what GPA and CGPA are, check out the sections below in detail with calculation samples. 

What is GPA?

When understanding what is GPA and CGPA, one first needs to understand GPA. The Grade Point Average, or GPA, is used to evaluate performance in each credit undertaken. The reasons why a GPA is integral for applicants abroad are:

  • To apply for a scholarship to fund education abroad.
  • GPAs show the competitive level of applicants among others. 
  • GPA can fluctuate with the scores of credit points in a certain semester or over time. 

To calculate GPA use our free GPA calculator tool to help you keep track of your performance. 

How to Calculate GPA

To manually calculate GPA, one needs to know how to calculate GPA. The process is as follows:

Metrics Through Which GPA is Calculated
Formula Explanation Example
GPA Calculation GPA = Total Subject Scores ÷ Total Number of Subjects If grades are 3 + 4 + 3 + 2 = 12, then 12 ÷ 4 subjects = 3.0 GPA
CGPA Calculation CGPA = Total Semester GPAs ÷ Total Semesters If semester GPAs are 3.2 + 3.5 + 3.8 = 10.5, then 10.5 ÷ 3 = 3.5 CGPA
Percentage to GPA GPA = (% / 100) x 4 or GPA = Divide your percentage by 25 GPA = (80 /100) x 4 = 3.2 or 80% ÷ 25 = 3.2 GPA
CGPA to Percentage Multiply CGPA by 9.5 8.0 CGPA × 9.5 = 76%

GPA is not just calculated through credits. GPA from a percentage is also possible. Apart from this, GPA can also be calculated via CGPA too.

What is CGPA?

When discussing CGPA, applicants must know its more popular at Indian engineering universities. There may be various reasons why institutions choose to assess students based on a cumulative grade point average, and they include:

  • Core placements based on CGPA 
  • Understanding the CGPA of the applicant in a competitive environment
  • Most Indian institutions assess students based on CGPA.
  • Based on CGPA, applicants can understand their overall performance in the year or semester.

A CGPA will not be acceptable when applying for education abroad; thus, it is here that CGPA vs GPA comes into play. Hence, universities abroad will require a GPA score from the applicant for admission.

How to Calculate CGPA?

In order to calculate CGPA, this is what you need to do:

  1. List all the courses studied, calculate their credit hours and assign grade points (e.g., A = 10, B = 8).

  2. Het weighted grade points by multiplying grade points with course credits for each subject.

  3. After adding all weighted points, divide the total credits by SGPA.
  4. Calculate CGPA:

    • Add all Semester GPAs.
    • Divide by the number of semesters.

Here are some CGPA Calculation Formulae for reference:

  1. Semester GPA = ∑(Grade Points×Credits) / Total Credits

  2. CGPA 

These are used for either directly calculating CGPA or through SGPA.







CGPA vs GPA: Key Differences

Check out the difference between CGPA and GPA in the table below:

CGPA

GPA

Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) calculates the applicant's overall performance.

Grade Point Average (GPA) calculates a semester's grades. 

Varies between ‘outstanding and fail’ based on either the numerical or grade-based assessment.

GPA can be calculated using different data types - numbers, scales, or grades.

It is not widely accepted for admission to study abroad; it is only accepted within India.

Widely accepted for study abroad admissions in countries like the USA, Canada, and Europe.

Anywhere above 8 grade points is a good CGPA score.

3.4 or above is a good GPA score. 

Thus, the difference between CGPA and GPA is based solely on the method of assessment. The CGPA vs GPA difference is commonly noted in their different methods of computation, which result in distinct calculation methods. 

How to Convert CGPA to GPA?

Apart from the CGPA vs GPA debate, some conversions are essential to understand. Since CGPA vs GPA have different roles and are used across different institutions, their acceptance is limited to certain areas. CGPA is scored on a 10-point scale, whereas GPA is typically scored on a 4.0-point scale. The following is a comparison of CGPA to GPA, the two-grade average points and an equivalent score point for international students’ reference:

CGPA (10 Point)

GPA (4.0 Point)

Grade on a 4.0 Point Scale

>8.5

>3.7

A

8.0 – 8.4

3.7

A

7.5 – 7.9

3.3

B+

7.0 – 7.4

3

B

6.5 – 6.9

2.7

C+

6.0 – 6.4

2.3

C

5.5 – 5.9

2

D+

5.0 – 5.4

1.7

D

<5.0

0 – 1.3

F

This is the ideal conversion from CGPA to GPA and vice versa. Thus, applicants applying abroad can have a fair idea of their academic standing. Thus, the CGPA to GPA for manual calculation can be avoided, and the table above can also be referred to. This is also an essential part of CGPA vs GPA. 

Get more details here about How to Convert CGPA into GPA? 

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Is Conversion from CGPA to GPA Always Authentic?

Typically, foreign universities recommend credential evaluations for an accurate assessment and conversion of grade point averages to meet university admission requirements. Thus, universities may suggest WES credentials or ECE based on their partnerships. Check out more about Credential Evaluations.

In these cases, applicants must avoid converting their CGPA scores into GPA on their own when submitting admission applications, as the information may become invalid for use. 

Comparison of GPA and CGPA Systems Worldwide

While some countries use the GPA widely, others use CGPA or percentage. GPA scales also vary per country. Here is a comparison of GPA/CGPA systems globally in the table below:

Country 

Primary Scale Used for Grading

Highest Possible Score/Grade

Passing Grade

USA

4.0 GPA

4.0 (A)

1.0 (D)

India

10.0 CGPA

10.0

4.0

UK

Percentage

First Class (70%+)

Third Class (40%+)

Australia

7.0 GPA

7.0 (High Distinction)

4.0 (Pass)

Germany

5.0 to 1.0

1.0 (Best)

4.0 (Sufficient)

Canada

4.0 GPA

4.0 (A+)

1.0–2.0 (D/C)

Switzerland

6.0 Scale

6.0 (Excellent)

4.0 (Pass)

Conversion from CGPA to GPA is, thus, authentic only if they have been converted by designated agencies that are experts in this field. Thus, applicants must first understand in detail about CGPA vs GPA and then take steps towards computing one value from the other. 







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Written by
Aishwarya Bhatnagar
Study Abroad Expert
Aishwarya is a professional Writer currently working as a Study Abroad Expert in the Editorial Team at Shiksha. She has over 5 years of experience and is skilled at creating Online Content with leveraged knowledge i Read Full Bio
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