ECTS to German Grade Converter

Convert European ECTS Grades (A-F) to German Grading System (1.0-5.0)

ECTS to German Grade Calculator

Select Your ECTS Grade

ECTS Grade:

ECTS uses letter grades from A (best) to F (fail)

Quick Conversion Reference

ECTS Grade	Description	German Grade	German Term
A	Excellent (Top 10%)	1.0 - 1.5	Sehr gut
B	Very Good (Next 25%)	1.6 - 2.5	Gut
C	Good (Next 30%)	2.6 - 3.5	Befriedigend
D	Satisfactory (Next 25%)	3.6 - 3.9	Ausreichend
E	Sufficient (Next 10%)	4.0	Ausreichend
FX / F	Fail	4.1 - 5.0	Nicht ausreichend

Understanding the ECTS Grading System

The European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) was established to facilitate student mobility across European higher education institutions. While ECTS is primarily known for its credit system (measuring workload), it also includes a standardized grading scale using letter grades from A to F.

The ECTS grading scale is statistically distributed based on student performance rankings within a cohort. Grade A represents the top 10% of passing students, B the next 25%, C the following 30%, D another 25%, and E the final 10%. Grades FX and F represent failing performances, with FX indicating failure that can be remedied with some additional work.

However, it's important to note that not all European universities use ECTS letter grades. Many institutions, including most German universities, maintain their own national grading systems and only use ECTS for credit transfer purposes. The ECTS grading scale serves as a reference tool for international comparison rather than a universally adopted grading method.

Comprehensive ECTS to German Grade Conversion

ECTS Grade	ECTS Definition	% Distribution	German Grade	German Term
A	Excellent	Top 10%	1.0 - 1.5	Sehr gut (Very good)
B	Very Good	Next 25%	1.6 - 2.5	Gut (Good)
C	Good	Next 30%	2.6 - 3.5	Befriedigend (Satisfactory)
D	Satisfactory	Next 25%	3.6 - 3.9	Ausreichend (Sufficient)
E	Sufficient (Pass)	Next 10%	4.0	Ausreichend (Sufficient)
FX	Fail (Some work required)	—	4.1 - 4.9	Nicht ausreichend (Insufficient)
F	Fail (Considerable work required)	—	5.0	Nicht ausreichend (Insufficient)

Important Note: The ECTS grading scale is based on statistical distribution of student performance. The percentage distributions represent relative performance within a cohort, not absolute performance thresholds.

Understanding German Grading System (1.0-5.0)

Germany uses a numerical grading system ranging from 1.0 to 5.0 (or 6.0 in some cases), where 1.0 is the highest grade and 5.0 is a failing grade. This inverse system often confuses international students accustomed to systems where higher numbers represent better performance.

German Grade Scale Breakdown

German Grade	German Term	Meaning	% Range
1.0 - 1.5	Sehr gut	Very good - outstanding	90-100%
1.6 - 2.5	Gut	Good - well above average	75-89%
2.6 - 3.5	Befriedigend	Satisfactory - average	60-74%
3.6 - 4.0	Ausreichend	Sufficient - minimum pass	50-59%
4.1 - 5.0	Nicht ausreichend	Insufficient - fail	0-49%

Remember: In the German system, LOWER numbers are BETTER! A 1.0 is perfect, while a 5.0 is failing. Grades are typically awarded in 0.3 increments (1.0, 1.3, 1.7, 2.0, 2.3, 2.7, etc.).

Important Facts About ECTS to German Conversion

Statistical vs Absolute Grading

The ECTS grading scale is statistically distributed based on cohort performance (top 10%, next 25%, etc.), while the German system uses absolute criterion-referenced standards. This fundamental difference means conversion is approximate and context-dependent. An ECTS A doesn't always equal German 1.0-1.5, especially if the entire cohort performed exceptionally well or poorly.

ECTS Grade Usage Varies

Most German universities don't actually use ECTS letter grades for regular grading. They maintain the traditional 1.0-5.0 numerical system. ECTS grades may appear on Transcript of Records for international mobility purposes, but are calculated by converting the German numerical grades rather than being awarded directly. Always check your specific university's grading policy.

ECTS Credits vs ECTS Grades

Don't confuse ECTS credits (workload measurement) with ECTS grades (performance assessment). ECTS credits measure the amount of work required for a course (60 credits = one academic year), while ECTS grades assess the quality of your performance. Both are part of the ECTS system but serve completely different purposes.

Conversion May Vary by Institution

Different German universities may use slightly different conversion tables between ECTS and German grades. Some institutions map ECTS B to 1.6-2.0 (narrower range), while others use 1.6-2.5 (wider range). The conversion provided here represents the most common mapping, but always consult your specific university's official conversion table.

Grade Inflation Considerations

When converting ECTS grades from non-German institutions, be aware that grade distribution varies significantly across European countries due to different grading cultures. An ECTS B from one country might not reflect the same achievement level as an ECTS B from another country, even though both map to German 1.6-2.5. German universities understand these nuances when evaluating international transcripts.

For Study Abroad & Credit Transfer

If you're a student on exchange or transferring credits to a German university, your home institution typically provides ECTS grades on your Transcript of Records. The receiving German university will convert these ECTS grades to their numerical system for record-keeping. Don't worry about doing the conversion yourself—the German university's international office handles this officially according to their institutional policies.

Tips for International Students

Check official conversion tables: Each German university publishes its own ECTS to German grade conversion table. Use your specific institution's official table for accurate conversion.
Understand the inverse system: Remember that in Germany, 1.0 is the best grade and 5.0 is failing—the opposite of ECTS where A is best and F is fail.
Don't self-convert on applications: If applying to German universities, submit your original ECTS grades. German admissions offices will convert them according to their institutional standards.
ECTS C is still good: An ECTS C (Good) typically converts to German 2.6-3.5, which is acceptable performance in the German system despite seeming mediocre to students from other countries.
Ask for Transcript of Records: Your European university should provide a Transcript of Records with both ECTS grades and credits clearly indicated for credit transfer purposes.
Maintain perspective on percentiles: ECTS statistical distribution (top 10%, next 25%, etc.) helps understand your relative standing within your cohort, which is valuable context for evaluators.
Consider grade culture differences: Some European countries are more generous with top grades than Germany. An ECTS A from one country might not equal a German 1.0 in difficulty.
Focus on credits first, grades second: For credit transfer, ensuring you have the correct ECTS credits is often more important than exact grade conversion.
Contact international offices: If unclear about conversion for your specific situation, contact the international student office at your German university for guidance.
Keep both systems on record: Maintain documentation with both ECTS and converted German grades for future reference, especially for job applications or further study.