If you’re a Canadian student applying to U.S. schools, you may need to convert your grades to the U.S. 4.0 GPA scale. Even though grading systems differ across provinces, high schools, universities, and CEGEP programs, your grades can still be translated using standard conversion methods.
Canada to US GPA Calculator (4.0 Scale)
Your US GPA
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Canadian Grading System Overview
Candian High School to US GPA
Most Canadian high schools use a percentage system (0–100). Some also show letter grades. US universities need these numbers mapped to the 4.0 GPA scale.
Here’s the general high school conversion:
| Canadian % | Letter | US GPA |
|---|---|---|
| 90–100 | A+ | 4.0 |
| 85–89 | A | 4.0 |
| 80–84 | A– | 3.7 |
| 75–79 | B+ | 3.3 |
| 70–74 | B | 3.0 |
| 65–69 | C+ | 2.3 |
| 60–64 | C | 2.0 |
| 50–59 | D | 1.0 |
| <50 | F | 0.0 |
Example: A Grade 12 student in Ontario earns 82% (English), 75% (Math), and 91% (History). Converted: 3.7, 3.0, and 4.0. Average = 3.57 GPA.
Key notes:
- US admissions understand Canadian rigor but still want GPA on their scale.Key Differences Across Provinces
- High schools rarely weight courses (every subject counts equally).
Canada University/College to US GPA
Universities add complexity: some use raw percentages, others add internal GPA scales (9.0 or 12.0). To standardize, you’ll need to translate to percentages first, then map to the 4.0 US scale.
| Canadian Letter | % Range | US GPA |
|---|---|---|
| A+ | 90–100 | 4.0 |
| A | 85–89 | 4.0 |
| A– | 80–84 | 3.7 |
| B+ | 77–79 | 3.3 |
| B | 73–76 | 3.0 |
| B– | 70–72 | 2.7 |
| C+ | 67–69 | 2.3 |
| C | 63–66 | 2.0 |
| C– | 60–62 | 1.7 |
| D | 50–59 | 1.0 |
| F | <50 | 0.0 |
Example (University of British Columbia):
Grades = 87% (A = 4.0), 78% (B+ = 3.3), 72% (B– = 2.7), 64% (C = 2.0). Weighted equally: average = 3.0 GPA.
Weighted credits: Universities often assign different credit values (3-credit vs. 6-credit). A 6-credit course counts twice as much toward your GPA.
Regional Differences in Canadian Grading
Canada’s provinces use similar structures but with key differences in cutoffs, rigor, and GPA scales. Adding this makes your guide feel authoritative and helps capture long-tail searches like “Ontario GPA to US conversion.”
Ontario (Ontario Secondary School Diploma – OSSD)
- High school: 80%+ is considered strong and often treated as “A” level.
- University admissions: Ontario universities may label 80–84% as an A–, not a full A.
- SEO note: Students search “Ontario GPA to US GPA” a lot.
Western Canada (BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba)
- High school: BC uses a 100-point scale; 86%+ is often A, but some schools reserve 90%+ for A.
- University: UBC and UVic use percentage grading; U of Alberta uses a 4.0 scale internally, but it doesn’t map 1:1 to the US system.
- Nuance: Students may be surprised that their “80% A” is seen as 3.7, not 4.0 in the US.
Quebec (CEGEP & University)
- Unique system: After Grade 11, students complete two years of CEGEP before university.
- Grading: Often uses letter + percentage + R-score (not recognized outside Quebec).
- US conversion: Students must usually convert CEGEP marks to percentages first.
- Huge SEO gap: Many applicants search “CEGEP GPA conversion US.”
Atlantic Canada (Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, PEI, New Brunswick)
- High school: Typically stricter grading, where 85%+ is an A.
- University: Dalhousie, Memorial, and others may use slightly lower cutoffs for top bands.
- US admissions: Because of stricter curves, an 80% here is still competitive, but students may underestimate themselves.
- Ontario: Uses a percentage-based system with passing grades starting at 50%.
- Quebec: Uses a numerical scale from 0 to 100 but also includes a letter-based system.
- British Columbia: Uses a percentage-based system similar to Ontario.
- Alberta: Some schools use a percentage system, while others follow a letter-based scale.
- Newfoundland and Labrador: Follows a similar structure to Ontario but with minor variations in grade cutoffs.
| Region | Typical High School “A” Range | University Practices | Impact on US GPA Conversion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | 80–100% = A | 80–84% often downgraded to A– at university | Students expecting a 4.0 may get 3.7 when converted. |
| Western Canada (BC, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan) | BC: 86%+ = A; Alberta: 80%+ = A | UBC/UVic use %; U of Alberta uses 4.0 internal scale | An 80% could be seen as A– (3.7) in US GPA terms. |
| Quebec | Ends HS at Grade 11, then 2-year CEGEP | Unique R-score system for CEGEP; universities use % + letters | R-scores aren’t recognized in the US — must convert to %. |
| Atlantic Canada (Nova Scotia, NB, PEI, Newfoundland) | 85%+ = A; stricter grading curve | Universities keep similar strict cutoffs | An 80% is still strong, but converts around 3.7 GPA. |
| Prairies (esp. Alberta diploma exams) | Province-wide exams affect % averages | Many institutions curve to 4.0 internally | Internal 4.0 ≠ US 4.0, conversion needed. |
The US 4.0 GPA System
U.S. universities use a 4.0 GPA system to evaluate academic performance. This scale assigns a numerical value to each letter grade, creating a standardized way to assess student achievement. Here's a breakdown:
| Letter Grade | GPA Value | Percentage Range (Typical) | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 4.0 | 90–100% | Excellent |
| B | 3.0 | 80–89% | Good |
| C | 2.0 | 70–79% | Average |
| D | 1.0 | 60–69% | Below Average |
| F | 0.0 | Below 60% | Fail |
- Unweighted GPA: This is the most common form used by U.S. universities and does not account for the difficulty of courses.
- Weighted GPA: Some U.S. high schools and universities assign extra points for advanced courses (e.g., Honors or AP), raising the scale to 5.0 or higher.
The Canada to US GPA Conversion Process
Converting your Canadian grades to the U.S. 4.0 GPA system is straightforward if you follow these steps:
Step 1: Gather Your Grades
Obtain your transcript or grade report from your school. Identify the grading scale used (percentage-based or letter-based).
Step 2: Match to U.S. Equivalents
Use the table below to convert your Canadian grades to the U.S. 4.0 GPA system:
| Canadian Grade | Percentage Range | U.S. Letter Grade | U.S. GPA Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| A+ | 90–100% | A | 4.0 |
| A | 85–89% | A | 4.0 |
| A− | 80–84% | B | 3.0 |
| B+ | 75–79% | B | 3.0 |
| B | 70–74% | C | 2.0 |
| B− | 65–69% | C | 2.0 |
| C+ | 60–64% | D | 1.0 |
| C | 55–59% | D | 1.0 |
| C− | 50–54% | D | 1.0 |
| F | Below 50% | F | 0.0 |
Step 3: Assign GPA Values
Assign the appropriate GPA value to each of your grades based on the table above.
Step 4: Calculate Your Average
- Add up all the GPA values.
- Divide by the total number of courses.
Example: Suppose you have the following Canadian grades:
- A+ (95%) → 4.0
- A (88%) → 4.0
- B+ (78%) → 3.0
- C+ (62%) → 1.0
Calculation: (4.0 + 4.0 + 3.0 + 1.0) ÷ 4 = 3.0 GPA
Disclaimer: This table provides approximate conversions. U.S. universities may use their own evaluation methods, so your official GPA might differ. Check with your target schools for specific requirements or use a tool like the GPA Calculator for precision.
Common Questions Answered
What Canadian percentage equals a 4.0 GPA in the U.S.?
In most Canadian grading systems, 90–100% (A or A+) typically converts to a 4.0 GPA in the U.S. Some universities use stricter cutoffs, so always check your transcript legend.
Does 80% in Canada count as a 4.0 GPA in the U.S.?
Usually no. An 80–84% average is often considered an A–, which converts to about 3.7 GPA. Some U.S. schools may interpret it differently.
How do I convert CEGEP (Quebec) grades to U.S. GPA?
CEGEP uses R-scores, which do not directly convert to U.S. GPA. Most U.S. universities first evaluate percentages or letter grades, not R-scores.
Do U.S. colleges accept self-converted Canadian GPAs?
Many U.S. colleges allow self-reported GPAs for applications, but official evaluations may be required later—especially for graduate or professional programs.
How should I handle weighted courses or credit differences?
Convert each course to its U.S. GPA equivalent first, then apply credit weighting. Courses with more credits have a greater impact on cumulative GPA.
Is a 70% in Canada considered “bad” in the U.S. GPA system?
No. A 70% in Canada usually converts to a B– (around 2.7 GPA), which is acceptable at many U.S. institutions, though competitive programs may expect higher.
Do GPA conversion cutoffs vary by Canadian province?
Yes. Provinces like Ontario and Quebec often use stricter cutoffs than Western provinces, which can affect how grades convert to U.S. GPA.
What if my Canadian university uses a 9-point or 12-point GPA scale?
Convert your GPA back to percentages or letter grades using your school’s official scale, then apply a U.S. 4.0 GPA conversion. Avoid assuming a linear conversion.
Do all Canadian universities use the same grading scale?
No. Canadian grading systems vary by institution and province. Some use percentages, others use letter grades or 9- or 12-point GPAs.
How accurate is a self-converted U.S. GPA?
Self-converted GPAs are estimates. U.S. universities or credential evaluators (such as WES) may adjust results based on grading policies and course context.
Final Tips
- Double-check your transcript and calculation before submitting your GPA to universities.
- Consult your target university’s admissions office for clarification if you encounter discrepancies.
- Use a College GPA Calculator to double-check your conversion.
Good luck with your applications!