Canadian GPA to US GPA Conversion Guide

If you studied in Canada and are now applying to a university or job in the United States, you’ve probably wondered how to convert your grades. Understanding Canadian GPA to US GPA conversion can feel confusing, especially because GPA in Canada isn’t standardized the same way it is in the US. This guide breaks it down in a simple, clear, and readable way.

Understanding GPA in Canada

Before converting anything, it helps to understand how grading works in Canadian universities. Unlike the US, where most institutions follow a unified 4.0 scale, GPA Canada systems vary widely.

Canadian schools commonly use:

1. A 4.0 GPA scale
2. A 4.33 GPA scale
3. A percentage-based system
4. A letter-based grading system

Because of this variation, two students with the same letter grade might technically have different GPAs depending on their university’s scale. This is the main reason conversions to US systems aren’t always one-size-fits-all.

The Canadian GPA Scale

Most Canadian universities fall into one of three common systems:

1. The 4.0 Scale

Similar to the US system, an A is often a 4.0, a B is around 3.0, and so on.

2. The 4.33 Scale

Some universities add “A+” as 4.33, which does not exist in the US GPA structure.

3. Percentage Scale

Schools in provinces like Ontario and Alberta sometimes use percentages (for example, 85 percent or 92 percent), and then internally convert them to GPA.

Because of these differences, the Canadian GPA scale isn’t universal, which is why conversion charts often give ranges instead of fixed values.

Converting Canadian GPA to US GPA

There is no official government-approved formula for converting Canadian GPAs to US GPAs. However, most credential evaluation services follow a consistent logic:

1. A Canadian A (85 to 90 percent and above) typically converts to a US A or 4.0
2. A Canadian B (around 70 to 79 percent) usually converts to a US B or 3.0
3. A Canadian 4.33 A+ is usually rounded down to a 4.0 in the US

If your university uses a 4.33 system, your GPA is often converted by capping the highest value at 4.0 to align with US standards.

So if your transcript says 3.87, that number may stay the same or be slightly adjusted depending on your specific scale. This is why many schools recommend using a professional service if you want perfect accuracy.

Why US Schools Care About This

US universities want a fair and consistent view of your academic performance across all applicants. Since Canadian grading can be more strict — especially in competitive programs like engineering, business, and computer science — having your GPA converted helps level the field.

In many cases, Canadian students find that their converted GPA looks the same or even slightly higher when aligned with US expectations.

Final Thoughts

While the Canadian GPA to US GPA conversion isn’t automatically one simple formula, understanding the differences in the Canadian GPA scale makes the process much clearer. Always double-check how your specific university calculates grades and consider using a credential evaluation if you want a precise number for admissions.