Italian Grade Calculator

Italian universities use an 18 to 30 numeric grading scale for individual exams, where higher numbers are better. The system has two distinct components: exam grades and the final degree grade.

• Exam scale: 18–30. Minimum passing grade is 18/30.
• 30 e lode (30L): Outstanding performance with honours. Usually counts as 30 for averages but is a prestigious distinction.
• Final degree scale: 66–110. Based on the weighted exam average plus points from the graduation committee.
• 110 e lode: The highest degree result. It usually needs the committee's unanimous agreement; the rules vary by university.
• Credits: CFU (Credito Formativo Universitario) = ECTS. 1 CFU = 25 hours of work.
• Laurea (Bachelor's): 180 CFU (3 years). Laurea Magistrale (Master's): 120 CFU (2 years).

1. For a single exam, read the estimated GPA from the table above. A 27 is about 3.5.
2. For several exams, work out your CFU-weighted average first (see below). Averages usually fall between two whole grades, so the GPA is taken proportionally between them.
3. For a final degree grade, use the 66–110 rows or the Degree (110) tab.

Worked example: 30 on 9 CFU and 24 on 6 CFU give an average of (270 + 144) ÷ 15 = 27.60. That sits between 27 (3.5) and 28 (3.7), so the estimate is 3.5 + 0.6 × (3.7 − 3.5) = 3.62. A degree grade of 102 sits in the 100–104 band (3.3–3.6), which gives about 3.45.

To see what each point on the US scale means, read the guide to the 4-point GPA scale.

Find where your GPA falls in the table and read across. A GPA of 3.6 is between 27 (3.5) and 28 (3.7), so it is roughly 27.5 out of 30 as an exam average, or about 104 out of 110 as a degree grade. The GPA to Italian tab does this for you. Honours (lode) can't be inferred from a GPA.

If your CGPA is on a 10-point or another scale, convert it to 4.0 first with the GPA converter. If your grades are percentages, use the percentage to GPA converter first, and if you have US letter grades rather than a GPA, work it out with the GPA calculator.

1. Individual exam grades: Each course (esame) is graded on the 18–30 scale.
2. CFU weighting: Multiply each grade by its CFU credits.
3. Weighted average: Sum of (Grade × CFU) ÷ Total CFU = media ponderata.
4. 30 e lode: Counted as 30 in this calculator.

It is the same idea as any weighted average, like the one in the weighted grade calculator, with CFU as the weights.

Worked example: 4 exams

Your final degree grade is calculated out of 110 points, not out of 30. This is a separate scale used only for graduation, and each university sets its own detailed rules.

The usual steps:

1. Calculate the weighted average: Your media ponderata (out of 30) from exam grades weighted by CFU.
2. Convert to the 110 scale: Commonly (media ponderata ÷ 30) × 110.
3. Add committee points: Mainly for the thesis (tesi di laurea), and at some universities for graduating on time (in corso), honours or time abroad. The maximum number of points differs by university and course.
4. Final grade: The result, capped at 110.

110 e lode: Awarded on top of 110 when the committee agrees, usually unanimously, that the work deserves honours.

30 e lode (30L) is awarded for outstanding performance on an individual exam. It indicates perfect or near-perfect mastery.

Key points:

• For calculations: Usually counts as 30, so it doesn't raise your average above a plain 30. Some universities treat it differently.
• Transcript value: Appears as "30 e lode" on transcripts, signalling excellence.
• Graduation bonus: Some universities give extra points toward the final degree grade for exams passed with lode. The rules vary.

110 e lode: The final degree equivalent, awarded on top of a 110/110 result with the committee's approval.

Italian universities use an appello system rather than fixed exam dates during term.

How it works:

• Appello: An exam session for a specific course. Most courses offer 3–5 appelli per year.
• Timing: Typically scheduled during January–February, June–July, and September.
• Registration: Students must register for each appello in advance (usually 1–2 weeks before).
• Retakes: If you fail, you register for a later appello. Failed attempts are normally not recorded on the final transcript.

Grade rejection: At most Italian universities you can refuse a passing grade you're unhappy with (for example, a 20 when you were aiming for 28) and retake the exam at a later appello.