If you’re a Canadian student planning to apply to U.S. universities, understanding how to convert your academic achievements into the U.S. 4.0 GPA system is essential. The Canadian grading system varies between provinces and educational institutions, but there are general patterns that can help you navigate the conversion process.
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. |
Evaluation Factors
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 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+) converts to a 4.0 GPA in the U.S. However, some universities apply stricter cutoffs. For example, 90–94% may be an “A” (still 4.0) while 95%+ is required for A+. Always check your transcript legend.
Does 80% in Canada count as a 4.0 in U.S. GPA conversion?
Rarely. Most conversion charts place 80–84% as an A−, which equals about 3.7 GPA in the U.S. While strong, it usually won’t round up to a full 4.0. Some U.S. schools may interpret it more generously, but don’t assume automatic 4.0 status.
How do I convert CEGEP (Quebec) grades to U.S. GPA?
CEGEP uses its own grading and R-score system, which has no direct U.S. equivalent. To convert, you must first express your marks as percentages or letter grades, then apply a Canada → U.S. GPA table. R-scores themselves are not recognized by U.S. universities.
Do U.S. colleges accept self-converted Canadian GPAs?
For undergraduate admissions, many U.S. schools allow you to self-convert and report your GPA on the 4.0 scale. Graduate and professional programs, however, often require official credential evaluations (e.g., WES, ICAS, ECE) to validate the conversion.
How should I handle weighted courses or credit differences?
When converting, calculate each course’s U.S. GPA equivalent first. Then apply credit weighting — for example, a 6-credit course influences your GPA twice as much as a 3-credit course. This weighted average better reflects your true academic standing.
Is a 70% in Canada “bad” in the U.S. GPA system?
No. A 70% in Canada is usually a B−, which converts to around 2.7 GPA in the U.S. While not elite, it is acceptable for many programs. Competitive schools may want 3.3+, but plenty of colleges admit students in the 2.5–3.0 GPA range.
Which provinces use stricter cutoffs, affecting GPA conversions?
Ontario, Quebec, and the Atlantic provinces are often more conservative with “A” ranges compared to Western provinces. For instance, in Ontario, 80% might only equal A− (3.7 GPA), whereas other regions treat 80% as a full A. This makes provincial context important in conversions.
What if my Canadian college uses a 9-point or 12-point internal scale?
Convert that internal GPA back to percentages or letter grades using your school’s official scale. Then map those percentages to the U.S. 4.0 system. Never assume a linear match (e.g., 9.0 ÷ 12.0 = 3.0 GPA) because scales vary widely.
Do Canadian universities all use the same grading scale?
No. Grading systems vary: some use percentages only, others use letter grades, 9-point, or 12-point GPA scales. Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC) even publishes multiple scale conversions. Always include your institution’s grading key on transcripts to avoid misinterpretation.
How accurate is my self-converted U.S. GPA? Could it differ in official evaluation?
Self-converted GPAs are only estimates. U.S. universities or evaluators may adjust based on grade distribution, course difficulty, or institutional reputation. For accuracy, always provide your transcript with grading key, and expect small differences when an official service (like WES) recalculates.
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!