How to Calculate Percentage of Marks and CGPA Basics

The basic percentage formula

Percentage means out of 100. To find your percentage of marks, divide the marks you scored by the maximum marks and multiply by 100.

Percentage = (marks obtained / maximum marks) x 100.

Example: you scored 432 out of 500. Percentage = 432 / 500 x 100 = 86.4 percent.

This formula works for a single subject or for the total of all subjects, as long as you use the matching maximum marks.

Calculating percentage across subjects

Add the marks obtained in all subjects, add the maximum marks of all subjects, then apply the formula. Do not simply average the subject percentages if subjects have different maximum marks, because that gives a slightly wrong answer.

Example: Maths 78 out of 100, Science 85 out of 100, English 40 out of 50. Total obtained = 203. Total maximum = 250. Percentage = 203 / 250 x 100 = 81.2 percent. If you had averaged 78, 85 and 80 percent, you would get 81 percent, which is close but not the same.

Best of five and other rules

Some boards, colleges and admission processes calculate percentage using only certain subjects, such as the best five subjects, or a fixed set of core subjects. Others include all subjects, or exclude additional subjects.

The rule depends on the board and on the institution you are applying to, and it can change between years. Always read the admission notification or prospectus to see which subjects must be counted. When a form asks you to enter your percentage, calculate it using the method that form specifies.

SGPA and CGPA basics

Many universities use a grade point system instead of plain percentages. Each grade, such as O, A+ or A, has a grade point, often on a 10 point scale. Each course also has credits, which reflect how much weight it carries.

SGPA (Semester Grade Point Average) is calculated for one semester: multiply each course's grade point by its credits, add these up, and divide by the total credits for that semester.

CGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average) combines all semesters so far, usually by the same credit-weighted method across all courses taken.

• Course A: 4 credits, grade point 9, so 36 credit points
• Course B: 3 credits, grade point 8, so 24 credit points
• Course C: 3 credits, grade point 7, so 21 credit points
• SGPA = (36 + 24 + 21) / (4 + 3 + 3) = 81 / 10 = 8.1

Converting CGPA to percentage

There is no single national formula for converting CGPA to percentage. Each board or university decides its own method, and some state on the mark sheet or in their regulations how to convert.

A commonly seen example is multiplying CGPA by 9.5, which CBSE used for an indicative percentage under its earlier CGPA system. Some universities use other formulas, such as (CGPA - 0.5) x 10 or (CGPA - 0.75) x 10. Using the wrong formula can give a noticeably different number.

If an employer or college asks for a percentage, use the conversion formula given by your own university. If none is stated, check with your university office, and mention the CGPA as well as the converted figure where possible.

Common mistakes

Small errors can matter when a form has a cut-off percentage.

• Rounding up when the form asks for exact figures, for example writing 60 percent for 59.6
• Averaging subject percentages when maximum marks differ
• Including additional or optional subjects that the institution excludes
• Applying a CGPA conversion formula from a different university
• Typing marks out of 100 when the subject was out of 80 plus 20 internal, without adding both parts

Check your numbers quickly

Filyzo's Percentage Calculator works out percentages, percentage change and marks percentage instantly in your browser. It is a quick way to double check your manual calculation before you fill an application form.