When applying to college admissions, scholarships, or entrance exams, the marks have to be provided in percentage even though the school or board is on the CGPA system. In order to clarify and avoid confusion, it's vital to understand how to convert your CGPA to a percentage accurately using the default formulas or the individual board-defined methods.
This handbook will take you through all that you need to know for converting CGPA into percentage for students of Class 10 and 12 in India.
What is CGPA?
CGPA, or Cumulative Grade Point Average, is a grading system brought by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and followed by many other boards. Rather than giving marks, it displays the average grade points achieved in all subjects, excluding extra subjects.
For instance, if a student has grade points of 9 in five subjects, the CGPA will be:
CGPA = (9+9+9+9+9)/5 = 9.0
Why Do You Need to Convert CGPA into Percentage?
Although CGPA is accepted universally in schools as well as among Indian boards, the majority of higher institutes of education (particularly universities, colleges, as well as global institutions) demand percentage scores while:
- College Admissions (Undergraduate or Postgraduate)
- Scholarship Applications
- Job Applications
- Visa or Study Abroad Processing
Hence, it is important to understand the formula of conversion so that your academic performance is translated correctly.
CBSE CGPA to Percentage Formula (Class 10 & 12)
CBSE offers a standard formula for converting percentage into CGPA:
Percentage (%) = CGPA × 9.5
This formula was arrived at using the average performance of students with scores in a specific grade range (A1 = 91–100 marks), where the average was nearly 95. Thus, the multiplier 9.5 was standardized.
Example:
If a student has a CGPA of 8.6, then:
Percentage = 8.6 × 9.5 = 81.7%
CGPA to Percentage Conversion Table (CBSE)
| CGPA | Percentage |
| 10.0 | 95.0% |
| 9.8 | 93.1% |
| 9.6 | 91.2% |
| 9.4 | 89.3% |
| 9.2 | 87.4% |
| 9.0 | 85.5% |
| 8.8 | 83.6% |
| 8.6 | 81.7% |
| 8.4 | 79.8% |
| 8.2 | 77.9% |
| 8.0 | 76.0% |
| 7.8 | 74.1% |
| 7.6 | 72.2% |
| 7.4 | 70.3% |
| 7.2 | 68.4% |
| 7.0 | 66.5% |
| 6.8 | 64.6% |
| 6.6 | 62.7% |
| 6.4 | 60.8% |
| 6.2 | 58.9% |
| 6.0 | 57.0% |
CGPA to Percentage Conversion for Other Boards and Universities
Not every board adheres to the CBSE's 9.5 multiplier rule. This is how various universities and boards implement CGPA to percentage conversion:
| Institution/University | Formula |
| Delhi University (DU) | Applies the CBSE standard formula (CGPA × 9.5) to Class 10 and 12 scores. |
| Mumbai University | Engineering: Percentage = (CGPA × 7.1) + 11 General Courses: Might implement similar or tweaked formulas. |
| Anna University | Has a straightforward formula: Percentage = CGPA × 10 |
| JNTU | Percentage of students of engineering is usually done as: Percentage = (CGPA - 0.75) × 10 |
Note: Always verify the policy of conversion on the official website of the university or mark sheet.
Converting Subject-wise GP to Marks (CBSE Class 10)
Every subject is graded on a 9-point scale in CBSE Class 10:
| Grade | Grade Point | Marks Range |
| A1 | 10 | 91–100 |
| A2 | 9 | 81–90 |
| B1 | 8 | 71–80 |
| B2 | 7 | 61–70 |
| C1 | 6 | 51–60 |
| C2 | 5 | 41–50 |
| D | 4 | 33–40 |
| E1 | — | 21–32 |
| E2 | — | 00–20 |
You can get an approximate idea of your subject-wise marks by this scale, though the exact mark is not disclosed.
Online Tools to Convert CGPA to Percentage
There are numerous free online tools and calculators that easily convert your CGPA into a percentage:
- Abroad Cube Converter: Provides conversions of different grading scales.
- Leverage Edu Calculator: Handy for those looking to study abroad.
Both platforms also enable you to calculate CGPA to GPA for studying abroad.
Importance of Accurate Conversion
Inaccurate conversions can result in:
- Rejection of admission forms
- Disqualification for scholarship eligibility
- Misunderstandings during international application processes
Therefore, it's always preferable to see your board or institution's formal conversion formula and not assume.
Tips for Students
- Always retain a photocopy of your original mark sheet which could already be stating the conversion.
- If you're applying outside the country, you could be asked to furnish a GPA rather than percentage—use specific GPA converters or ask the university.
- Recheck the multiplier applied by the institution that you're applying to.
