How Canadian Letter Grades Work

Canada uses an alphabetical grading system derived from the North American standard, with letter grades ranging from A+ at the top to F at the bottom. Each letter grade corresponds to a percentage range and a grade point value on the 4.0 scale. The conversion is not a calculation so much as a lookup, but the tricky part is that the exact percentage cutoffs differ between universities, provinces, and programs.

Table of Truth: Common Percentages and Their Letter Grades

Why Canadian Grading Scales Differ by University

There is no national standard that forces Canadian universities to use identical percentage cutoffs. Each institution sets its own grading policy in its academic calendar. This creates a situation where the same percentage can earn different letter grades and different GPA values at different schools.

For students applying to graduate school or transferring between institutions, this matters. A 3.3 GPA at one university might represent different coursework difficulty than a 3.3 at another. Most graduate admissions committees are aware of this and evaluate applicants in context.

The biggest differences to know

McGill University uses broader grade bands (A is 85 to 100%, B is 70 to 84%). This means a 75% earns a B (3.0) at McGill but a B+ (3.3) at most other schools. The University of Toronto and most Ontario universities align closely with the standard scale. UBC and SFU in British Columbia are also broadly similar but use slightly different cutoffs around the B+/A- boundary.

How Letter Grades Map to the 4.0 GPA Scale

The 4.0 GPA scale assigns a fixed grade point value to each letter grade. This is the number used in GPA calculations. It is not a linear percentage conversion. A 90% and a 95% both earn 4.0 grade points. A 73% and a 76% both earn 3.0 grade points. The grade point scale groups percentages into bands, which is why a small percentage improvement sometimes changes your letter grade (and GPA) and sometimes does not.

This is also why moving from a 79% to an 80% (B+ to A-) has a much bigger GPA impact than moving from 73% to 76% (both remain a B). Understanding the band boundaries helps you prioritise where to put extra study effort.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is 70% as a letter grade in Canada?

At most Canadian universities, 70% is a B- and equals 2.7 GPA points on the 4.0 scale. At McGill University, 70% falls into the B range (3.0 GPA). At some colleges, 70% may be classified as a B. Always check your institution’s specific scale.

What is 80% as a letter grade in Canada?

At most Canadian universities, 80% is an A- and equals 3.7 GPA points. Some universities may classify 80% as the bottom of a full A range (4.0). This converter shows you both the standard result and institution-specific variations.

What is a passing grade in Canada?

The formal passing threshold at most Canadian universities is 50%, which is a D- (0.7 GPA). However, many programs require 60% or higher to pass specific required courses. Some professional programs set passing at 65% or above for core subjects. Always verify with your course syllabus.

What is the difference between an A and an A+ in Canada?

Both A and A+ typically earn 4.0 GPA points on the standard Canadian 4.0 scale, so they have the same impact on your GPA. Some institutions assign 4.3 to A+, creating a 4.3 ceiling instead of 4.0. The converter uses the 4.0 ceiling standard. Check your institution’s academic calendar to confirm which system they use.

How do I convert my Canadian letter grade for a UK university application?

For UK UCAS applications, Canadian classifications map roughly as: First Class Honours (3.7+ GPA, A-/A range) corresponds to a UK First. Second Class Upper (3.3 to 3.69, B+ range) corresponds to a 2:1. Second Class Lower (3.0 to 3.29, B range) corresponds to a 2:2. Use your GPA and classification rather than raw percentages when applying internationally.