What’s a Good GPA in Canada? (And How It Translates to Percentage)

If you're a student in Canada—or planning to study there—you might wonder, What’s considered a good GPA? Understanding GPA (Grade Point Average) and how it converts to percentages can help you set academic goals and assess your performance.

In this guide, we’ll break down:

✔ How GPA is calculated in Canada

✔ What counts as a good GPA in Canadian universities and colleges

✔ How GPA translates to percentage grades

✔ Tips to improve your GPA

How Is GPA Calculated in Canada?

Canada uses different GPA scales depending on the institution. The most common are:

1. 4.0 GPA Scale

Many Canadian universities use a 4.0 scale, where:

• 4.0 = A+ (90-100%)

• 3.7 = A (85-89%)

• 3.3 = A- (80-84%)

• 3.0 = B+ (77-79%)

• 2.7 = B (73-76%)

• 2.3 = B- (70-72%)

• 2.0 = C+ (65-69%)

• 1.7 = C (60-64%)

• 1.0 = D (50-59%)

• 0.0 = F (Below 50%)

2. 4.33 GPA Scale

Some schools (like the University of British Columbia and McGill) use a 4.33 scale, where an A+ = 4.33 instead of 4.0.

3. 9.0 or 12.0 GPA Scale

A few institutions, like the University of Waterloo, use a 12.0 scale, where:

• 12 = 90-100% (A+)

• 11 = 85-89% (A)

• 10 = 80-84% (A-)

• 9 = 77-79% (B+)

• 8 = 73-76% (B)

• 7 = 70-72% (B-)

• 6 = 65-69% (C+)

• 5 = 60-64% (C)

• 4 = 55-59% (D+)

• 3 = 50-54% (D)

• 0-2 = F (Below 50%)

What Is a Good GPA in Canada?

A "good" GPA depends on your academic goals:

✔ For Undergraduate Students

• 3.0+ (B average) – Decent for most programs

• 3.5+ (A- average) – Competitive for grad school or scholarships

• 3.7+ (A average) – Strong for honors programs or top grad schools

✔ For Graduate Students

• 3.3+ (B+ average) – Minimum for most master’s programs

• 3.7+ (A- average) – Competitive for PhD programs

✔ For College/Diploma Programs

• 2.7+ (B- average) – Good for most diploma programs

• 3.0+ (B average) – Strong for competitive fields like nursing or engineering tech

GPA to Percentage Conversion in Canada

Since grading systems vary, here’s a general GPA to percentage conversion:

GPA (4.0 Scale)	Letter Grade	Percentage Range (Canada)
4.0	A+	90-100%
3.7	A	85-89%
3.3	A-	80-84%
3.0	B+	77-79%
2.7	B	73-76%
2.3	B-	70-72%
2.0	C+	65-69%
1.7	C	60-64%
1.0	D	50-59%
0.0	F	Below 50%

How to Improve Your GPA in Canada

If you want to boost your GPA, try these strategies:

✅ Attend all classes – Participation matters!

✅ Seek help early – Use professors’ office hours or tutoring centers

✅ Stay organized – Use planners or apps to track assignments

✅ Focus on weak areas – Spend extra time on challenging subjects

✅ Retake low-scoring courses (if allowed)

Final Thoughts

A good GPA in Canada typically ranges from 3.0 to 3.7, depending on your academic level and goals. Understanding how GPA translates to percentages can help you track your progress and stay competitive for scholarships, jobs, or further education.

Read More

Canadian Grading System Explained: GPA vs. Percentage vs. Letter Grades