What is CGPA? - CGPA Full Form, Meaning & Conversion Formulas
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What is CGPA? - CGPA Full Form, Meaning & Conversion Formulas

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Priya
Priya Garg
Study Abroad Expert
Updated on Jan 2, 2026 06:24 IST
Whether you are a high school student navigating the world of grades for the first time, a college freshman facing your first semester report card, or simply curious about educational lingo, the term "CGPA" has likely crossed your path. But what exactly does CGPA mean? And why does it seem to hold much weight in the academic realm?

CGPA is a grading system used in Indian educational institutes. It can be seen as a report card that runs on a scale of 1-10 rather than the grades. This article explains covers - what is CGPA, what is its full form, how it is calculated and why does it matter.

What is CGPA?

A CGPA is a single score that represents the overall performance of a student through the entire semester or degree. Full form of CGPA is Cumulative Grade Point Average. It is a grading system used to check a student’s overall performance in all semesters. In simple words, CGPA is the average of grade points you got in every semester of your course. If you are planning to study abroad, your CGPA is very important. Many top universities abroad check your CGPA score to understand your academic level and decide if you qualify for admission. The CGPA is calculated by taking the average of all SGPA (Semester Grade Point Average) you got in each semester. It shows your total academic result from the beginning till the end of your degree. Your CGPA can be shown as a letter grade (like A, B, C) or as a number grade (like 7.8 or 9.0). Each CGPA score has a matching percentage of marks that you scored in exams.  

Table of contents
  • How to convert CGPA to GPA using the CGPA to GPA Calculator?
  • What is CGPA full form?
  • Why is CGPA important?
  • CGPA Vs GPA
  • How is CGPA Calculated?
  • CGPA to Percentage Conversion

How to convert CGPA to GPA using the CGPA to GPA Calculator?

CGPA To GPA

Convert your CGPA to GPA

Calculate your score and check your eligibility at over 2000+ universities.

GPA
Percentage
CGPA

Out of 10

 

Here is the formula to convert your CGPA to GPA:

10 Point CGPA to 4 Point GPA Formula
GPA  = (CGPA / Maximum CGPA) * Target GPA scale

What is CGPA full form?

The CGPA full form is Cumulative Grade Point Average, which is a grade point that summarises a person's overall academic performance across all your subjects, semesters, and years throughout your entire academic degree. The CGPA is useful in attracting various academic and professional opportunities, such as getting higher education, scholarships, and jobs abroad. Major aspects of CGPA below:

  1. CGPA represents total academic standing over time; which further shows consistency.
  2. Calculation: (Total Grade Points Earned) / (Total Credit Hours Attempted) across all semesters.
  3. It is important for postgraduate admissions, scholarships, and job opportunities, as it shows long-term dedication.
  4. It is scaled a 10-point scale in India (max 10.0) but can vary for universities in US (e.g., 4.0). 

Related Blog: Calculate CGPA into Marks

Why is CGPA important?

A CGPA is important for the following reasons-

  1. It gives a holistic view of your performance
  2. A CGPA balances out the strong and weak subjects to give an overall picture of your academic performance
  3. It is needed for university and job applications as it shows the efforts put in by a student in achieving the grades
  4. It can be converted into a percentage to get a clear picture of the marks scored out of 100  
  5. A good CGPA can bring you good reputation among your peers and class of studies. 
  6. A good CGPA can help you secure a scholarship to study abroad

CGPA Vs GPA

Q:   What CGPA is required for scholarships?
A:

Different scholarships have different eligibility criteria for the selection of grant winners. The scholarship committees/authorising bodies judge applicants' profiles based on various parameters, some consider CGPA as a dominating factor while some consider the overall performance and growth of the applicant. However, applicants must aim to score of minimum 8 CGPA to apply for a scholarship abroad.

Q:   What does CGPA stand for?
A:

The full form of CGPA is “Cumulative Grade Point Average”. It is a commonly accepted grading system in most European and other countries (except the USA, where the commonly accepted grading system is the GPA) and represents the student's performance throughout his degree.

Q:   How to find CGPA from SGPA?
A:

CGPA from SGPA can be calculated based on the following formula. 

CGPA = Sum of all SGPAs obtained in different Semesters ÷ Total number of semesters

While the CGPA full form and the GPA full form are closely the same, there is a significant difference between the criteria of measurement of these two types of grades. Note that in India, the commonly used grading system is either the “percentage” or the CGPA grading system. However most universities and colleges abroad follow GPA grading system and some use CGPA 10-point scale as well.

The key points on difference between GPA and CGPA are given below.

CGPA

GPA

The CGPA full form is the "Cumulative Grade Point Average". 

GPA full form is "Grade Point Average".

CGPA is the average of grade points received across all semesters at the end of a degree.

GPA is the average grade point received for a single semester or academic year.

CGPA records a student’s overall performance throughout the degree. 

GPA is the record of the yearly performance of the student. 

Colleges and universities in European countries and other parts of the world usually follow the 10-point CGPA grading system. 

Colleges and universities in the USA follow the 4-point GPA grading system. 

CGPA can be calculated by dividing the overall percentage by 9.5.

GPA can be calculated by dividing the overall percentage by 100 and multiplying the result by 4. 

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How is CGPA Calculated?

The calculation of CGPA may vary from institution to institution depending on the type of grading system accepted. However, the general principle of calculating the CGPA remains the same. Let us learn how to calculate CGPA from GPA and from percentage below.

1. Calculation of CGPA from Percentage

You can calculate your CGPA from percentage by using the following formula:

CGPA = Percentage ÷ 9.5

As per the above formula, by dividing your overall percentage by 9.5, you can get your CGPA.

2. Calculation of CGPA from GPA

The formula to calculate your CGPA from GPA is:
CGPA = (GPA x 10)/4 or 5
Here, 10 = maximum CGPA scale, and

4 or 5 = maximum GPA scale

Also Read:

CGPA to Percentage Conversion

CGPA to percentage conversion can be done by using a simple formula. Students often require a CGPA to percentage conversion to reflect on their academic journeys better, as to how much of the total score out of 100 they have scored. Students also need the CGPA to percentage conversion when applying for admission to a higher course in an Indian university or for applying to a job within India, as percentage is the commonly accepted grading system in India. The CGPA to percentage formula is given below.

Percentage = CGPA × 9.5

CGPA to Percentage Conversion Table on a 10-Point CGPA Scale

The CGPA to Percentage Conversion Table on a 10-point CGPA scale is given below. This chart provides an estimated range for the percentage equivalent of CGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average) above 6.0 on a 10-point scale. Note that these conversions are drawn according to the above-given CGPA to Percentage formula (and vice versa). These approximations may change based on different universities and colleges abroad.

CGPA to Percentage Conversion Table
CGPA* Equivalent Percentage Range (%)
10.0 95 - 100
9.9 94.05 - 95
9.8 93.1 - 94.05
9.7 92.15 - 93.1
9.6 91.2 - 92.15
9.5 90.25 - 91.2
9.4 89.3 - 90.25
9.3 88.35 - 89.3
9.2 87.4 - 88.35
9.1 86.45 - 87.4
9.0 85.5 - 86.45
8.9 84.55 - 85.5
8.8 83.6 - 84.55
8.7 82.65 - 83.6
8.6 81.7 - 82.65
8.5 80.75 - 81.7
8.4 79.8 - 80.75
8.3 78.85 - 79.8 
8.2 77.9 - 78.85
8.1 76.95 - 77.9
8.0 76.0 - 76.95
7.9 75.05 - 76.0
7.8 74.1 - 75.05
7.7 73.15 - 74.1
7.6 72.2 - 73.15
7.5 71.25 - 72.2
7.4 70.3 - 71.25
7.3 69.35 - 70.3
7.2 68.4 - 69.35
7.1 67.45 - 68.4
7.0 66.5 - 67.45
6.9 65.55 - 66.5
6.8 64.6 - 65.55
6.7 63.65 - 64.6
6.6 62.7 - 63.65
6.5 61.75 - 62.7
6.4 60.8 - 61.75
6.3 59.85 - 60.8
6.2 58.9 - 59.85
6.1 57.95 - 58.9
6.0 57.0 - 57.95

Note: To be admitted to good universities abroad, students must score a minimum CGPA of 6.0.

CGPA to Percentage Conversion Table on a 4-Point CGPA Scale

The CGPA to Percentage Conversion Table on a 4-point CGPA scale is given below. Note that the percentage calculation formula from CGPA to percentage on a 4-point scale is:

Percentage = CGPA × 25

This chart provides an estimated range for the percentage equivalent of a CGPA above 3.0 on a 4-point scale. Note that these conversions are drawn according to the above-given CGPA to Percentage formula (and vice versa). These approximations may change based on different universities and colleges abroad.

CGPA to Percentage Conversion Table
CGPA* Equivalent Percentage Range (%)
4.0 100
3.9 97.5
3.8 95
3.7 92.5
3.6 90
3.5 87.5
3.4 85
3.3 82.5
3.2 80
3.1 77.5
3.0 75

In conclusion, a CGPA is a metric to denote the overall academic performance of an individual for the entire course of their academic degree. Unlike the SGPA, which determines the performance of a student through a semester, the CGPA determines the academic performance across the entire journey of completing a degree. rather than just one semester or year. 
For example, a B.Sc degree usually has 6 semesters divided across the course of 3 years. So, the SGPA you receive after each semester exam would represent your performance limited to that semester only while, a CGPA  would represent your performance throughout all three years. With this being said, it can be inferred that you can get a SGPA before getting your CGPA but you cannot get your CGPA before getting all your SGPAs across a degree or higher education program.
The CGPA denotes the academic performance of an individual by either by the letter grade (A, B, C, D, E, and F) or by the numerical grades (1 to 10). So, the CGPA you get at the end of your degree is a result of how you performed across all the years of your program.

This was all about "What is CGPA', CGPA meaning, the full form of CGPA, how is CGPA calculated and CGPA Vs GPA. We hope this comprehensive guide on CGPA has resolved all your doubts. 

If you wish to study abroad, then you can get assistance from Shiksha Counselling Services for free. You can also drop your queries in the comments section below.

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Priya Garg is an experienced content writer and editor. With her rich experience in content writing, teaching and research & analysis, Priya believes in providing only the correct information which is also up-to-dat Read Full Bio
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Comments

(3)

S

Sambhav tawar

3 months ago

I think linking to tools like cgpacalculator. in the article can help students to instantly calculate their CGPA with steps.

Reply to Sambhav tawar

S

Sambhav tawar

3 months ago

I think linking to tools like cgpacalculator.in the article can help students to instantly calculate their CGPA with steps.

Reply to Sambhav tawar

S

Sambhav tawar

3 months ago

I think linking to tools like cgpacalculator.in the article can help students to instantly calculate their CGPA with steps.

Reply to Sambhav tawar