Key takeaway
GPA = Σ (grade points × credits) ÷ Σ credits. Convert each grade to its point on your scale (4.0 or 10-point), multiply by the course's credits, sum those products, then divide by total credits. This credit-weights harder/bigger classes. SGPA is the same formula for one semester; CGPA applies it across all semesters.
Scope and assumptions
GPA calculation depends on your institution's scale and credit policy. Confirm the exact formula on the official registrar notification. This site is informational and not official.
Short answer: GPA = Σ (grade points × credits) ÷ Σ credits. Convert each grade to its point on your scale (4.0 or 10-point), multiply by the course's credits, sum those products, then divide by total credits. This credit-weights harder/bigger classes. SGPA is the same formula for one semester; CGPA applies it across all semesters.
Quick navigation
- Concept & scales → what-is-gpa
- Semester version → how-to-calculate-sgpa
- GPA to percentage → gpa-to-percentage
- Weighted vs unweighted → weighted-vs-unweighted-gpa
1. The formula
GPA = (g₁×c₁ + g₂×c₂ + … + gₙ×cₙ) ÷ (c₁ + c₂ + … + cₙ)
where g = grade point, c = credits.
2. Worked example — US 4.0 scale
| Course | Grade | Points (4.0) | Credits | Points × Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Math | A | 4.0 | 4 | 16.0 |
| English | B+ | 3.3 | 3 | 9.9 |
| History | B | 3.0 | 3 | 9.0 |
| Lab | A- | 3.7 | 2 | 7.4 |
Total credits = 12. Total points×credits = 42.3. GPA = 42.3 ÷ 12 = 3.53
3. Worked example — India 10-point scale
| Course | Grade | Points (10) | Credits | Points × Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Math | A1 | 10.0 | 4 | 40.0 |
| English | A2 | 9.0 | 3 | 27.0 |
| History | B1 | 8.0 | 3 | 24.0 |
| Lab | B2 | 7.0 | 2 | 14.0 |
Total credits = 12. Total = 105.0. GPA = 105.0 ÷ 12 = 8.75
4. From SGPA to CGPA (cumulative)
CGPA is just the credit-weighted average of your semester SGPAs:
- Sem 1 SGPA 8.0 (24 cr), Sem 2 SGPA 9.0 (26 cr)
- CGPA = (8.0×24 + 9.0×26) ÷ 50 = 8.52
Do not average the percentages — average the credit-weighted points. See cumulative-gpa-calculator.
5. Step-by-step
- Get your grade-to-point scale from the registrar.
- List each course: grade, points, credits.
- Multiply points × credits per course.
- Sum the products and sum the credits.
- Divide → your GPA. Round to two decimals only at the end.
6. Common mistakes
- Averaging grades, not credit-weighting — a 1-credit class shouldn't equal a 4-credit class.
- Mixing scales — don't combine 4.0 and 10-point points.
- Using percentages directly — convert to points first.
- Rounding mid-calculation — round only the final GPA.
- Treating SGPA as CGPA — cumulative needs all semesters.
7. Weighted GPA worked example (4.0 scale)
| Course | Type | Points | Credits | Pts×Cr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP Calc | AP | 5.0 | 4 | 20.0 |
| English | Reg | 4.0 | 3 | 12.0 |
| History | Reg | 3.0 | 3 | 9.0 |
| Lab | Reg | 4.0 | 2 | 8.0 |
Total cr = 12, total = 49.0 → Weighted GPA = 4.08. (Unweighted would be 3.75 — rigor adds 0.33.)
8. Multi-semester cumulative table
| Sem | SGPA | Credits | SGPA×Cr |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3.8 | 15 | 57.0 |
| 2 | 3.6 | 16 | 57.6 |
| 3 | 3.9 | 15 | 58.5 |
| 4 | 4.0 | 16 | 64.0 |
CGPA = (57+57.6+58.5+64) ÷ 62 = 3.83.
9. When you only have percentages
Some schools issue percentage marks, not letter grades. Convert each % to a point on your scale first, then run the same formula:
| Course | % | 4.0 point | Credits | Pts×Cr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Math | 95 | 4.0 | 4 | 16.0 |
| English | 88 | 3.3 | 3 | 9.9 |
| History | 91 | 4.0 | 3 | 12.0 |
Use your registrar's %→point band (see 4-point-gpa-scale); an 88% is a B+ (3.3), not a 3.5. Then GPA = (16.0+9.9+12.0) ÷ 10 = 3.79.
FAQ
Q: Do I divide by number of classes or total credits? Total credits — that is what makes it weighted.
Q: My school uses percentages, not points — what do I do? Convert each percentage to a point via your scale, then apply the formula.
Q: Is CGPA the same as GPA? CGPA = cumulative GPA across semesters; some schools just call it GPA.
Q: Can I calculate GPA without credits? Only an unweighted (equal-weight) version; most schools require credit-weighting.
Q: My GPA came to 3.525 — what do I report? 3.53 (round to two decimals at the end).
Q: Does an F count? Yes — F = 0 points, which drags the average down.
Q: How do AP/IB weights affect this? They add points (e.g. A = 5.0); see weighted-vs-unweighted-gpa.
Q: Where do I find my official GPA? On your transcript from the registrar — use that for applications.
Q: What if my school uses a 5.0 weighted scale? Use the weighted points (AP A = 5.0) in the same formula — see weighted-vs-unweighted-gpa.
Q: Are pass/fail courses included? Usually excluded from GPA; check your registrar.
Q: How do I handle a course I withdrew? A W normally doesn't affect GPA; an F does.
Q: Why does my calculated GPA differ from the transcript? ± modifiers, dropping lowest, or hidden weights — use the official number for applications.
Sources: NCES GPA framework (nces.ed.gov); university registrar credit-weighting rules.
Disclaimer: GPA calculation depends on your institution's scale and credit policy. Confirm the exact formula on the official registrar notification. This site is informational and not official.
Sources and references
- NCES GPA framework (nces.ed.gov)https://nces.ed.gov/
- university registrar credit-weighting ruleshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Credit_hours