Create a Rubric in Canvas

Last updated on April 27, 2026

Rubrics provide a set of criteria to evaluate student performance. When they are used in Canvas, they provide students with direction and clarity. When integrated with SpeedGrader, rubrics also allow you to provide quick and easy feedback for your students.

Note: To attach the rubric to an assignment, refer to the “Attach a Rubric to an Assignment tutorial.”

Directions

This video shows an outdated version of Rubrics.
New video coming soon.

Create a New Rubric

1. Log in to your Canvas Account.
2. Select the Course you’d like to work in.
3. Click Rubrics on the course navigation menu to the left.
4. Click + Create New Rubric at the top right of the screen.
5. Type the Title of the rubric in the Rubric Name textbox.
6. Select the type of rubric.
   1. Scale: This is the standard rubric style, where students score within a point range (ie. 1-4 points) for each criterion.
   2. Written Feedback: Criteria do not have a point range. Students will receive either receive all points or no points for each criterion. 
7. Select the Rating Display.
   1. Level: Level will show the numeric labels for each rating.
   2. Points: Points will show the actual point value for each rating. For example, if the levels are 1-4, but students earn 2 points for each level, the points would show the points they would receive.
8. Select the Rating Order.
9. Select whether the rubric will be scored or unscored.
10. See below for steps on how to add criterion.

Add Criterion to Rubric

Draft New Criterion

1. Click Draft New Criterion at the bottom left.
2. Type the Criterion Name in the top left textbox.
3. Enter the Criterion Description in the top right textbox.
4. Select the box next to Enable Range if you want multiple point values to fall under each rating.
   1. For example, 5-6 points could be the range for Mastery rather than just 5 points.
5. Edit the point value for each rating in the textbox next to the Display numbers.
   1. Note: The Total Points Possible in the top left below the Criterion Description will automatically update as you edit the point value for each rating.
6. Edit the Rating Name (optional) for each rating in the textbox to the right of the Points.
7. Enter a Rating Description for each rating in the text box to the right of the Rating Name.
   1. The rating description is what you will use to determine what rating a student receives, and it is how students will understand their score, so it is recommended to make it as specific as possible. 
   2. See our Spotlight, Aligning Outcomes to Rubrics, for guidance on how to create clear rubric criteria.
8. Click Save Criterion in the bottom left of the pop-up window.
9. Repeat steps 1-8 for each criterion you wish to add to the rubric or see below for how to create criteria from a learning outcome.
10. Click the Trashcan icon to delete a criterion.
11. Click the pencil icon to edit a criterion.
12. Click the three dots to the right of the criterion name, and select move up or move down to rearrange the criteria.
    • Alternatively, click the six dot array to the left of the criterion name, and drag it to the location you want.
13. Click the square icon with a plus to duplicate the criterion.
14. Click Preview Rubric in the lower right corner to view the SpeedGrader view of the rubric.
15. Click Create Rubric when done.

Create From Outcome

1. Click Create From Outcome on the left side of the rubric editor under the Criteria.
2. Search for the outcome using folders on the left of the pop-up window.
   • For guidance on creating Learning Outcomes in Canvas, see our spotlight, Use Learning Outcomes to Measure Student Progress in Canvas.
3. Click the outcome name to add it to the rubric.
4. Check the box next to “Use this criterion for scoring” if you would like to have points attached to this criterion in the rubric.
   • If you do not check this box, you will still score students using the outcome criteria, and you will still be able to track mastery, but it will not affect the student’s grade for the assignment.
5. Click Import on the bottom right of the pop-up window.
   • Note: You cannot edit criteria created from outcomes from within the Rubric editor.
     • Refer to the Spotlight, Use Learning Outcomes to Measure Student Progress in Canvas, for directions on how to adjust the text and points that display in the rubric for the aligned outcome.
6. Repeat steps 1-5 for any additional learning outcomes or see above for for how to draft new criteria.
7. Click the Trashcan icon to delete a criterion.
8. Click the three dots to the right of the criterion name, and select move up or move down to rearrange the criteria.
   • Alternatively, click the six dot array to the left of the criterion name, and drag it to the location you want.
9. Click the square icon with a plus to duplicate the criterion.
10. Click Preview Rubric in the lower right corner to view the SpeedGrader view of the rubric.
11. Click Create Rubric when done.