A high gain quasi-z source (QZS) dc-dc converter with continuous input current is projected. A single switched capacitor branch added with a quadratic dc-dc converter to lift the voltage level from lower to the higher. The proposed converter resolves the drawback of the conventional quadratic boost converter. Related to the existing converter, this converter having continuous input current and produces high gain. This converter have a flexible structure and easy control. The functioning of the converter, theoretical waveforms and design equations are described in this paper. Also, a complete evaluation among proposed and the various recent QZS dc/dc converters with continuous input current are explained, which approves the supremacy of the presented converter. Simulations are performed in MATLAB/SIMULINK software in order to examine the maximum power point ability of the converter. The prototype of the proposed converter has been built in the laboratory to analyze the converter performance and efficiency. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons Ltd