SGPA to CGPA: How to Combine Semesters
Published July 13, 2026By Samson PG
CGPA is not the average of SGPAs. Weight each semester by credits earned, then divide total grade points by total credits.
SGPA is your grade point average for one semester. CGPA is the credit-weighted average across all semesters so far. Averaging three SGPAs as (S1 + S2 + S3) ÷ 3 is wrong whenever credit loads differ.
The credit-weighted formula
For each semester i:
- SGPAᵢ = semester grade point average
- Cᵢ = credits that semester
Then:
CGPA = (Σ SGPAᵢ × Cᵢ) / (Σ Cᵢ)Equivalently: sum of (grade points earned) ÷ sum of credits.
Worked example
| Semester | SGPA | Credits | Grade points (SGPA × C) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8.0 | 22 | 176.0 |
| 2 | 7.5 | 24 | 180.0 |
| 3 | 8.4 | 20 | 168.0 |
| Total | — | 66 | 524.0 |
CGPA = 524 ÷ 66 ≈ 7.94
Notice semester 2 pulls harder than semester 3 because it carried more credits — even though its SGPA is lower than semester 3’s.
Common mistakes
| Mistake | Why it fails |
|---|---|
| Simple average of SGPAs | Ignores credit weight |
| Mixing failed / backlog credits inconsistently | Policies differ on what enters the denominator |
| Converting each SGPA to % then averaging | Wrong layer; convert CGPA only if required |
| Dropping a low semester without rules | Only valid if your university allows grade forgiveness |
After you have CGPA
Many applications ask for percentage. That is a separate map (often × 9.5 or × 10). Use TryCalculatingNow CGPA to Percentage only after CGPA is correct.
Privacy
SGPA lists stay in your browser. No need to paste a full transcript into a cloud form.
Use TryCalculatingNow SGPA to CGPA
TryCalculatingNow SGPA to CGPA lets you enter each semester’s SGPA and credits, then shows the combined CGPA. Use it to sanity-check a portal result or plan “what if next semester is 8.5?”
Sibling link for letter-grade U.S.-style math: how semester GPA works from letter grades.
FAQ
Is CGPA always on a 10-point scale?
In many Indian universities, yes. Other systems use 4.0 or different point scales — formulas stay credit-weighted either way.
Do audited or zero-credit courses count?
Usually no credit, no weight. Follow your registrar’s rules.
What if credits are missing on my marksheet?
You cannot finish the formula without them. Pull the official credit table for each paper.
Can CGPA go down even if the new SGPA is “okay”?
Yes — if the new SGPA is below your current CGPA, the cumulative average falls.