Use this list to pick portfolio, lab, or semester work in C. Each row has a project idea (what to build) and a description of scope; implement in stages (file I/O, data structures, then networking or graphics where listed). Pair with C fundamentals practice and C simple projects on Nikhil Learn Hub.
Basic project ideas
| # | Project idea | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scientific calculator | Perform advanced mathematical operations (trigonometry, logarithms, exponents). |
| 2 | Add / subtract / multiplication table generator | Generate addition, subtraction, and multiplication tables for any number. |
| 3 | Grade calculator (student marks) | Calculate total, percentage, and assign letter grades based on marks. |
| 4 | Birthday calculator | Calculate age in years, months, and days from birth date; display zodiac sign. |
| 5 | Currency converter | Convert between currencies using fixed or fetched exchange rates. |
| 6 | ATM menu simulation | Withdraw, deposit, check balance, mini statement with PIN validation. |
| 7 | Electricity bill calculator | Calculate bill from units consumed with slab-based pricing. |
| 8 | Password validation system | Check strength; validate length, special characters, and numbers. |
| 9 | Number guessing game | Random target; player guesses with higher/lower hints. |
| 10 | Student result management | Enter marks, report cards, ranking, store results. |
| 11 | Bank loan eligibility | Eligibility from income, credit score, and existing loans. |
| 12 | Attendance management | Mark attendance; percentage reports. |
| 13 | Simple quiz application | Multiple choice, score tracking, optional timer. |
| 14 | Number system converter | Convert between binary, octal, decimal, and hexadecimal. |
| 15 | Daily expense tracker | Record expenses, categories, summaries, budgets. |
Intermediate project ideas
| # | Project idea | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | Library management system | Add, search, issue, return books; members; fines; file storage. |
| 17 | Employee database | CRUD, search, sort, salary calculation, file I/O. |
| 18 | Snake game | Movement, food, speed, score, collision detection. |
| 19 | Hangman | Word guessing, gallows UI, categories, hints. |
| 20 | Tic-tac-toe | Two players, win/draw detection, score tracking. |
| 21 | Word counter | Words, characters, lines, paragraphs; readability; file analysis. |
| 22 | Digital clock | Live time, date, alarm, stopwatch, timer; console UI. |
| 23 | URL shortener | Short codes, map storage, redirect logic. |
| 24 | Sorting visualizer | Visualize bubble, selection, insertion, quick, merge sort. |
| 25 | File compression tool | Huffman or LZW; compress/decompress text files. |
| 26 | Spell checker | Dictionary (e.g. trie), suggestions, Levenshtein distance. |
| 27 | Sudoku solver | Backtracking; optional puzzle generator. |
| 28 | Maze generator / solver | Random mazes (e.g. DFS); shortest path (BFS/A*). |
| 29 | Chess engine (basic) | Rules, move validation, check/checkmate, simple AI. |
Advanced project ideas
| # | Project idea | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | Web server | Static files, HTTP/1.1, multiple connections, MIME types. |
| 31 | Compiler (subset) | Lexer, parser, AST, code generation for a subset of C. |
| 32 | Operating system kernel (minimal) | Bootloader, interrupts, memory management, simple scheduler. |
| 33 | Database engine | B-tree, SQL parser, CRUD, transactions. |
| 34 | Network packet sniffer | Raw sockets; TCP/UDP/IP analysis; filtering. |
| 35 | RSA encryption | Key pair generation; encrypt/decrypt; big integers. |
| 36 | Emulator / VM | CHIP-8 or Game Boy–style: CPU, memory, graphics, ROM. |
| 37 | Chat application | Multi-client server, TCP, threads, rooms, private messages. |
| 38 | Ray tracer | 3D scene, lighting, shadows, reflections, camera. |
| 39 | Task scheduler | FCFS, SJF, round robin; Gantt chart; wait/turnaround metrics. |
| 40 | Image processor | Read/write BMP/PNG; filters; histogram. |
Embedded / hardware-oriented project ideas
Numbering follows the source document (project 41 not listed).
| # | Project idea | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 42 | Traffic light controller | Four-way intersection, timers, pedestrian crossing, emergency override. |
| 43 | Temperature monitor | LM35/DHT11-style input; log/CSV; threshold alerts. |
| 44 | Smart home system | Lights, fans, AC; motion; scheduling; simple web UI. |
| 45 | RFID door lock | Card read; authorized users; access log; buzzer/LED. |
Total: 45 project ideas in the reference PDF (basic, intermediate, advanced, and embedded). Implement safely when using hardware; follow your lab’s wiring and toolchain guidelines.