Penne glycemic index
Penne has a glycemic index of 52, which is low. A 180 g serving (about 1 cup cooked) has a glycemic load of 27 (high).
Also known as: penne pasta, penne rigate
- Serving180 g
- Available carbs52 g
- Fiber3.2 g
- Sugars1 g
- Protein10 g
- Calories284 kcal
Serving: about 1 cup cooked.
What to know
Penne averaged a low GI of 52 across 9 tests. Pairing pasta with legumes, vegetables or a protein sauce brings the glycemic load of the plate down.
Glycemic load by portion size
GI stays the same whatever you eat, but glycemic load scales with the amount: eating twice as much doubles the effect on blood sugar.
| Amount | Available carbs | Glycemic load | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 g | 15 g | 8 | Low |
| 100 g | 29 g | 15 | Medium |
| 180 g · about 1 cup cooked | 52 g | 27 | High |
| 360 g · double serving | 105 g | 54 | High |
What the studies found
The value of 52 is the mean calculated by the authors of the International Tables of Glycemic Index (2021) across 9 studies. Results are fairly consistent (47 to 59).
Each dot is one study. Green dots followed the ISO 26642 standard method.
- 47 · Italy 2008
- 50 · Italy 2006
- 50 · Italy 2016
- 59 · Italy 2009
Penne compared with other pasta & noodles
Similar low-GI foods
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Frequently asked questions
Is penne low glycemic?
Yes. With a GI of 52, penne is in the low range (55 or less).
What is the glycemic load of penne?
A 180 g serving (about 1 cup cooked) has a glycemic load of 27, which is high. Glycemic load combines GI with the amount of carbohydrate in the portion: 10 or less is low, 11 to 19 medium and 20 or more high.
Can people with diabetes eat penne?
With a GI of 52 and a high glycemic load per serving, penne is best eaten in smaller portions alongside protein, fat or vegetables, or swapped for a lower-GI option. Everyone responds differently, so talk to your doctor or dietitian about your plan.
How many carbs are in penne?
A 180 g serving has about 56 g of total carbohydrate, including 3.2 g of fiber, leaving 52.4 g of available carbohydrate (the part that raises blood sugar). Per 100 g: 30.9 g of carbohydrate.
Nutrition facts
| per 100 g | Serving (180 g) | |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 158 kcal | 284 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 31 g | 56 g |
| Available carbs | 29 g | 52 g |
| Fiber | 1.8 g | 3.2 g |
| Sugars | 0.6 g | 1 g |
| Protein | 5.8 g | 10 g |
| Fat | 0.9 g | 1.7 g |
Source: USDA FoodData Central, Pasta, cooked, enriched, without added salt (SR Legacy, FDC 169737). Available carbohydrate = total carbohydrate minus fiber.
Sources: Atkinson FS, Brand-Miller JC, Foster-Powell K, Buyken AE, Goletzke J. International tables of glycemic index and glycemic load values 2021: a systematic review. Am J Clin Nutr. 2021;114(5):1625–1632. USDA FoodData Central. How we calculate each value: Methodology & sources.
Data last reviewed 2026-09-29.