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Bowling handicap calculator

Bowling handicap = (basis − your average) × percentage, with decimals dropped. At 90% of 220 with a 180 average: (220 − 180) × 90% = 36 pins added to every game. Enter your own numbers below; the calculator truncates your average the way leagues do.

Handicap per game17

(220 − 201) × 90% = 17.1 so 17: decimals are dropped.

3 games: 51 pins of handicap on your series.

How to calculate your bowling handicap, step by step

  1. Take your league average and drop the decimals: 163.8 is 163.
  2. Subtract it from your league's basis score, for example 220.
  3. Multiply the difference by your league's percentage, for example 80%.
  4. Drop the decimals again. If your league has a maximum handicap and you are above it, use the maximum.
  5. Add that number to every game you bowl. Your handicap series is your scratch series plus the handicap times the number of games.

Example at 80% of 220 with a 163.8 average: (220 − 163) × 80% = 45.6, so 45 pins per game and 135 pins over a three-game series.

How bowling handicap is calculated

Most leagues give a percentage of the difference between a basis score and your average. With a basis of 220 and 90 percent, a bowler averaging 201 gets (220 − 201) × 90% = 17.1 pins, written down as 17. Leagues choose their own numbers; 90% of 220, 80% of 200 and 100% of 230 are all common.

Some leagues also set a maximum handicap. If your average is at or above the basis, your handicap is zero: it never goes negative.

Which average counts

Bowling averages are truncated, not rounded: 1,799 pins in 9 games is an average of 199, not 200. At the start of a season, leagues usually work with your book average, the average you finished last season with, until you have bowled the number of games your league rules ask for.

No average from last season? Then your league rules say which games set your first average and what handicap you bowl with until then. Ask your league secretary.

Per game and per series

Handicap is added to every game. On a three-game night with 17 pins per game, that is 51 pins on your series.

Scratch and handicap scores

Your scratch score is the pins you actually knock down. Your handicap score is scratch plus handicap. A 165 game with 45 pins of handicap is a 210 handicap game. Many leagues keep both, often with awards for the highest scratch and the highest handicap games.

Why 90% of 220 is so common

A basis above almost every average in the league means nearly everyone gets some handicap. A percentage under 100 means the stronger bowler keeps a small edge, so bowling better still pays off. 100% of 230 brings the field closer together; 80% of 200 leaves more to skill. Your league picks the balance.

Bowling handicap chart

Handicap per game for the three most common formulas. Find your average in the left column.

Average90% of 22080% of 200100% of 230
10010880130
1109972120
1209064110
1308156100
140724890
150634080
160543270
170452460
180361650
19027840
20018030
2109020
2200010
230000

Handicap by league formula

Find your league's basis and percentage on the left, then your average across the top. Pins per game, decimals dropped.

FormulaAverage 140Average 160Average 180Average 200
80% of 2004832160
90% of 2005436180
100% of 2006040200
80% of 2105640248
90% of 2106345279
100% of 21070503010
80% of 22064483216
90% of 22072543618
100% of 22080604020
80% of 23072564024
90% of 23081634527
100% of 23090705030

Average calculatorWhat is a good average?

Questions

How do you calculate a bowling handicap?

Subtract your average from the league's basis, multiply by the percentage and drop the decimals. At 90% of 220 with a 180 average: (220 − 180) × 0.9 = 36 pins per game.

How do you calculate handicap for a three-game series?

Work out the handicap per game and multiply it by the number of games. 36 pins per game is 108 pins on a three-game series.

What is 80% of 220 in bowling?

A handicap formula: 220 minus your average, times 0.8. With a 170 average that is (220 − 170) × 0.8 = 40 pins per game.

Is there a maximum bowling handicap?

Only if your league sets one; there is no general number. Fill it in under Maximum and the calculator stops there. Without a cap the formula is the only limit: at 90% of 220, a 100 average gets 108 pins.

What is the difference between scratch and handicap?

Scratch is the score you actually bowl. Handicap is the extra pins your league gives you. Scratch plus handicap is your handicap score.

What if I do not have an average yet?

Your league rules decide which games set your first average and what you bowl with until then. Once you have it, your handicap follows from the formula like everyone else's.

What is a good bowling handicap percentage?

There is no single standard. 90% of 220 and 80% of 200 are both common; a higher percentage and basis bring the field closer together. Use what your league rules say.

Is bowling handicap rounded?

No. Decimals are dropped, in the average and in the handicap: 17.9 pins becomes 17.

What if my average is higher than the basis?

Then your handicap is zero. Handicap is never negative.

What does 90% of 220 mean?

220 is the basis and 90 is the percentage. Take 220 minus your average and multiply by 0.9. With a 150 average that is 70 × 0.9 = 63 pins per game.

What is my handicap with a 150 average?

That depends on the formula: 63 pins at 90% of 220, 40 pins at 80% of 200 and 80 pins at 100% of 230. The chart on this page lists more averages.

Does my handicap change during the season?

Yes. It follows your league average, which most leagues recalculate after every night. Bowl better and your handicap goes down.