Convert GBP to CAD Pound sterling ↔ Canadian dollar Free Online Secure
Type an amount in Pound sterling and read it in Canadian dollar at once. The page uses the European Central Bank's reference rate, and tells you which day that rate is from.
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Common amounts — Convert GBP to CAD (Pound sterling ↔ Canadian dollar)
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The last thirty days
Where these codes and rates come from
The three letters in EUR, USD or JPY are not an abbreviation someone invented for a website: they are ISO 4217, a standard in which the first two letters are the country's own code and the third is usually the initial of the currency. The figures on this page come from the European Central Bank, which publishes one set of reference rates each working day, around 16:00 Central European time, agreed between the central banks of the Eurosystem. They are a daily snapshot meant for statistics and accounting, not a live trading feed — which is exactly why they are the same number for everyone, rather than whatever one bank happened to quote at one moment.
Where you meet an exchange rate
You meet an exchange rate four or five times a year without thinking about it: booking a trip, paying an invoice issued abroad, buying from a foreign shop, reading a salary offer in another currency, or checking what a card charge really cost. In all of these the reference rate is the honest middle, and the price you actually pay sits a little to one side of it. Knowing the middle is what lets you see how wide that margin is.
Questions people ask
Is this the rate my bank will give me?
No, and no page can promise one. This is the European Central Bank's reference rate: the midpoint published once a day for statistics. A bank, a card scheme or an exchange office adds its own margin on top — usually between half a percent and three percent, sometimes more at an airport counter. Use this figure to judge the offer you are given, not to predict it.
How often does the figure change, and what happens at weekends?
The European Central Bank publishes once each working day, in the afternoon, Central European time. There is no publication on Saturdays, Sundays or TARGET holidays, so on those days the page shows the last working day's rate and says which day it belongs to. The chart alongside is one year of the same daily series.
Is the answer exact?
Where both units are defined in terms of one another by whole numbers, yes — the page says so above the figure, and the only rounding is in how many digits are shown. Where the ratio has no finite decimal, the page shows twelve significant digits and says the relation is approximate rather than pretending otherwise.
Does anything I type leave my device?
No. The arithmetic runs in your browser; nothing is uploaded and there is no server to upload it to. Load the page once and it keeps working with the network switched off.
Six places in Canada with British names, and what each costs in Canadian dollars
Open a map of Canada and you will find Britain scattered across it. There is a New Scotland on the Atlantic, a New Brunswick beside it, a province named after a queen and a city called Victoria at the edge of the Pacific. Halifax, Kingston, London and Windsor all exist in Canada, along with Calgary, named after a village on the Isle of Mull. For a British traveller, student or worker, the country has an air of familiarity that disappears the moment the bill arrives in Canadian dollars. This page answers the obvious question, what is a pound worth in Canadian dollars. It takes the European Central Bank's reference rates, in which both currencies are quoted against the euro, combines them into a pound-to-Canadian-dollar rate and shows the date beside the result. Your amount stays in your browser. The text below visits six places with British names, and each is a reason to Convert GBP to CAD and to understand what the figure is made of.
Using the converter
Pounds in, dollars out
Whether you want to Convert GBP to CAD for a coffee or for a year's tuition, the same page and the same two steps apply.
Type an amount in pounds sterling and the page shows its value in Canadian dollars, with the date of the rate beneath. At weekends it shows Friday's figure and says so. A table of round amounts and a thirty-day line follow. To work from Canadian dollars to pounds, use Convert CAD to GBP.
The reference rate as a ruler
The reference rate is the middle of the market, fixed once a day. It has no margin for a bank or card network. The rates you meet in practice are a little worse, and the difference is the cost of the service. Each time you Convert GBP to CAD here, you obtain the figure against which any offer should be measured. A gap below one per cent is excellent, two or three per cent is normal for banks, and more is a reason to compare.
Place one: Nova Scotia, the New Scotland
Halifax and the Atlantic coast
For a week on the Atlantic coast, Convert GBP to CAD for the hotel and the car hire, and add the seafood supper.
Nova Scotia was named by a Scottish poet-courtier, Sir William Alexander, in the seventeenth century, and the province still holds Gaelic festivals and bagpipe bands. Halifax, its capital, is a port city with a star-shaped citadel, a lively waterfront and a university quarter. A hotel room costs 180 to 350 Canadian dollars a night in summer. Seafood, above all lobster and chowder, is the local attraction, with a lobster dinner costing between 40 and 80 dollars.
The Cabot Trail
The Cabot Trail loops around the northern tip of Cape Breton Island, with mountains, cliffs and fishing villages, and takes about a day to drive without stops. Cars can be hired in Halifax for around 80 to 120 dollars a day. Fuel is sold in litres, and Convert L to gal helps travellers from the United States compare. Distances are in kilometres; Convert km to mi translates them for British roads.
The ceilidh budget
An evening of live Celtic music in a pub in Cape Breton usually has no entry charge, only the cost of the drinks. A pint of local beer costs between 7 and 10 dollars. Convert GBP to CAD for the round and you will find that a night out is not far from British prices.
Place two: New Brunswick and the Bay of Fundy
Tides, covered bridges and lobster
Fix a daily limit by converting once: Convert GBP to CAD for your daily spending, and the rest follows.
New Brunswick is named after the German duchy of Brunswick-Lüneburg, the home of the British royal family of the time. Its Bay of Fundy has the highest tides in the world, up to sixteen metres. Visitors walk on the ocean floor at low tide and watch the water return hours later. The Hopewell Rocks charge an entry fee of around 14 dollars. Local seafood restaurants serve cheap and generous plates.
The two languages
New Brunswick is the only officially bilingual province, with English and French on every sign. Acadian culture, with its music and cuisine, is strong in the north and east. Prices are in dollars everywhere, with a sales tax added at the till. The tax in New Brunswick is a harmonised rate of fifteen per cent, which makes the sticker price rise noticeably at checkout.
Place three: Newfoundland, the new found land
Cabot, icebergs and puffins
Tours are priced in dollars, so before booking a boat, Convert GBP to CAD and look at the cancellation terms.
John Cabot, an Italian sailing for England, reached the island in 1497, and the name Newfoundland has remained. Today it is known for its dramatic coast, icebergs drifting down from Greenland in spring and early summer, colonies of puffins and whales visible from the shore. A boat tour to see puffins costs about 70 dollars, while a whale-watching tour costs about the same. St. John's, the capital, is among the oldest cities in North America, with brightly painted houses on steep streets.
Flights and ferries
Getting to the island is part of the price. A flight from Toronto or Halifax can cost several hundred dollars, while the ferry from Nova Scotia is a long overnight crossing. Plan travel costs with care, and Convert GBP to CAD for a total that includes the flight, the hire car and the accommodation. Prices rise in July and August.
Place four: Prince Edward Island and Anne of Green Gables
The smallest province
A small island can still be an expensive stay in July, so Convert GBP to CAD for the room before the season starts.
Prince Edward Island is a gentle landscape of red soil, potato fields, lighthouses and sandy beaches. Lucy Maud Montgomery's novel Anne of Green Gables, published in 1908, set in the village of Cavendish, has drawn readers from Britain and Japan in large numbers. The Green Gables Heritage Place charges around 8 to 12 dollars. A guesthouse costs about 120 to 250 dollars a night in summer.
The bridge and the toll
The Confederation Bridge, almost thirteen kilometres long, links the island to New Brunswick. The toll is collected on the way out, not on the way in, and is paid in dollars by card or cash. It costs around 20 dollars for a car. Check the current amount before you travel.
Place five: British Columbia and the city of Victoria
A province named by a queen
Queen Victoria chose the name British Columbia in 1858, when the gold rush brought thousands of settlers. Victoria, the capital, sits on Vancouver Island and is known for its flower baskets, its Parliament buildings and its high tea at the Empress hotel. Tea at the Empress costs about 90 to 100 dollars a person, which is more than most British hotels charge, but the setting is part of the price.
Vancouver, a ferry ride away
City prices are higher than island prices, and the best way to see it is to Convert GBP to CAD for both.
The ferry from Vancouver to Victoria takes about ninety minutes and costs around 20 to 25 dollars for a passenger, with extra for a car. Vancouver is expensive: a one-bedroom flat can cost over two thousand dollars a month, and a restaurant meal for two can reach a hundred and fifty. The mountains and the sea are the compensation. Convert GBP to CAD for the cost of a week and compare with a week in Edinburgh or the Lake District.
Time across the country
Vancouver is eight hours behind London, and Toronto five. For flights and calls, Convert EST to PST shows the gap between east and west. The time difference means that a call from Britain to the Pacific coast has to be made in the evening.
Place six: Calgary and the Rockies
A city named after a Scottish bay
Calgary takes its name from Calgary Bay on the Isle of Mull. A Scottish officer of the North-West Mounted Police named the fort there in 1876. Today it is a city of oil, ranching and the Stampede, a ten-day rodeo festival each July. Tickets for the rodeo cost between 20 and 100 dollars, and the festival draws over a million visitors.
Banff, Lake Louise and the park pass
The park pass is a small fixed charge; to put it in context, Convert GBP to CAD and add it to the daily budget.
Banff and Jasper national parks are a short drive from Calgary. A national parks pass is required, costing about 11 dollars per adult per day or around 75 for a year-long family pass. Hotels at Lake Louise cost 400 dollars a night or more in summer, while campgrounds are cheaper. The mountains are best seen on foot, and a day hike costs nothing. Temperatures can fall below freezing even in July, and Convert °C to °F helps a visitor read the forecast.
Money in Canada: what to know before you spend
Taxes and tips
At a restaurant, divide the work into steps: Convert GBP to CAD for the menu price, add tax, then add the tip.
Prices in Canada are usually shown before sales tax. The federal tax is five per cent, and provinces add their own, giving combined rates between five and fifteen per cent, depending on where you are. Restaurants expect a tip of fifteen to twenty per cent on the pre-tax amount. Add both when you Convert GBP to CAD for a meal.
Cards, cash and coins
Cards are accepted nearly everywhere, and contactless payment is common. Cash is useful for small markets and tips. The one-dollar coin is called the loonie, because of the bird on the back, and the two-dollar coin the toonie. Banknotes are made of polymer. The penny was withdrawn in 2013, so cash totals are rounded to the nearest five cents.
The cost of calling home
Roaming from a British phone can be expensive in Canada. A prepaid SIM costs from 30 to 60 dollars for a monthly plan with a few gigabytes of data. Wi-fi is easy to find in cafés and hotels. Use messaging apps to call home.
Studying and working in Canada: the figures that matter
Tuition for international students
For fees paid in instalments, Convert GBP to CAD on each due date rather than once at the start.
Canadian universities charge international students much more than domestic ones. Undergraduate fees run from about 25,000 to 50,000 Canadian dollars a year, depending on the university and the programme, and more for medicine, dentistry and some business degrees. Fees are set by each institution and by the province, and they change from year to year. A British family that plans to send a child to study at McGill, Toronto or British Columbia should ask for the complete schedule, including ancillary fees, which can add a thousand dollars or more.
Living costs and the study permit
Canada requires proof of funds for a study permit, with a minimum amount for living costs that is revised regularly, plus the first year's tuition. A room in a shared flat near a university costs between 800 and 1,500 dollars a month, groceries around 400 and transport 100 to 130 for a student pass. Winter clothing is a real expense, and a proper coat and boots can cost 300 dollars or more. When you Convert GBP to CAD for the whole year, work with a table and add 10 per cent for the unexpected.
Part-time work and co-op terms
International students can generally work part-time during the term and full-time during breaks, within limits set by the government. Many Canadian universities offer co-operative programmes, in which students alternate study terms with paid work placements in their field. These pay from 18 to 30 dollars an hour in some sectors, and they provide valuable experience as well as income.
Scholarships and funding
Some scholarships are open to international students, though they are competitive. Amounts are in Canadian dollars. A scholarship of 10,000 dollars a year covers a fraction of tuition but is a significant help. If you receive money in pounds and spend in Canadian dollars, a monthly conversion keeps the budget stable.
The working holiday: a year in Canada for the young
International Experience Canada
British citizens under thirty-five may apply for the Working Holiday visa under the International Experience Canada scheme, subject to annual quotas and rules. The visa lets young people live and work in Canada for up to two years in some cases. Many choose seasonal work in ski resorts, tourism or hospitality, earning 16 to 22 dollars an hour plus tips. Others work in cities, in cafés, offices or shops.
The savings target
A typical working-holiday budget requires several thousand Canadian dollars at arrival to cover rent deposits, a phone, winter clothes and the first month. Rents in ski towns such as Whistler are high, so many workers share rooms. After tax, a worker on a minimum wage can save a few hundred dollars a month if living cheaply. Convert GBP to CAD for your opening budget and plan to keep a reserve in pounds in case you need to return home.
Tax, health and the social insurance number
Workers need a social insurance number to be paid legally. Income tax is withheld at source, and a return filed after the year can recover some of it. Health insurance depends on the province: some give workers access to the public system after a waiting period, so private insurance is necessary at first. Keep the policy documents and check what the cover includes.
Moving permanently: the longer view
Express Entry and provincial programmes
Skilled workers can apply through Express Entry or through provincial nominee programmes. Fees for applications are in Canadian dollars, and applicants need to show funds for settlement unless they already have a job offer. Language tests, education assessments and police certificates add further costs. Prepare a schedule of costs and Convert GBP to CAD for each payment on its due date, because they may fall months apart.
Buying a home
A deposit is a large amount, so Convert GBP to CAD for it several times in the weeks before closing.
House prices in Toronto and Vancouver are among the highest in the world, and new arrivals often rent for the first years. Elsewhere, in Halifax, Winnipeg or Edmonton, prices are more modest. A mortgage requires a deposit of at least five per cent for lower-priced homes and twenty per cent for expensive ones. Banks look at income, credit history and permanent status.
Building a credit history
A newcomer starts with no credit history in Canada. A secured credit card, with a small deposit, used for regular purchases and paid in full each month, builds a record in a year. Landlords, lenders and mobile phone companies check the score. Some banks offer newcomer packages that waive monthly fees for the first year.
The pound and the Canadian dollar
What moves the pair
The Canadian dollar is a commodity currency, linked to oil, gas, metals and timber. When prices of these goods rise, the dollar tends to rise too. The pound responds to British growth, inflation and interest rates. The pair therefore reflects two quite different economies, and a swing in one can drown a swing in the other. Over a year the rate can move by ten per cent or more.
Britons moving to Canada
Each month the same step repeats: Convert GBP to CAD, record the date, and compare the bank's result.
British people go to Canada on working holiday schemes, student permits, skilled-worker routes and family sponsorship. Salaries and rents are in Canadian dollars, while any British pension, rental income or savings is in pounds. They convert regularly, and many choose a fixed day each month to do so. A tax adviser who knows both systems can help avoid double taxation.
Canadians in Britain
Canadians in the United Kingdom, from students at Oxford to workers in finance, have the reverse concern. Convert CAD to GBP is for them. A scholarship paid in Canadian dollars becomes a different number of pounds each month, and the amount can affect their ability to cover costs.
Related conversions
Other currencies on the trip
Many visitors continue south, and Convert GBP to USD prices the American leg. Convert USD to CAD helps if you cross the border. For the euro, there are Convert GBP to EUR and Convert EUR to CAD, and for Australia, another Commonwealth country, Convert GBP to AUD.
Mistakes to avoid
Mixing the dollars
Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United States all have dollars. Check the code CAD before you compare prices.
The terminal's offer
If a card machine offers to charge you in pounds, say no. Pay in Canadian dollars.
An old rate
A rate noted last month may be several per cent out of date. The date beside the result protects you.
Home again
The page downloads only the table of daily reference rates. The amount you type never leaves your device, and no account is needed. From Nova Scotia to British Columbia, the habit is the same: Convert GBP to CAD, read the date, compare any offer against the figure and keep a note.