Bowling handicap calculator
Enter your average, your league's basis score and handicap percentage. The calculator gives the handicap per game with fractions dropped, the handicap for the whole series and your total once it is added to your scratch pins.
Runs in your browser: nothing you enter is sent anywhere.
How to use
- Enter your current league average (whole pins).
- Enter the league’s basis score and handicap percentage.
- Enter the number of games in a series and, if you want the total, your scratch pins.
- Read the handicap per game, for the series and the series total with handicap.
- Handicap per game = ⌊(basis − average) × percentage⌋, not less than 0
- Series handicap = handicap per game × games
- Total = scratch pins + series handicap
Example
Average 160, basis 220, 90 %, a three-game series of 480 scratch pins:
- per game: (220 − 160) × 0.9 = 54;
- series: 54 × 3 = 162;
- total: 480 + 162 = 642.
Tips
- Use the average from your league’s standings sheet; it usually includes only games bowled in that league.
- New bowlers without an average often bowl with an entering average for the first few weeks, as set in league rules.
- To work out a game score frame by frame, use the bowling score calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How is a bowling handicap calculated?
Handicap = (basis − average) × percentage, with fractions dropped. A bowler averaging 160 in a league with a 220 basis and 90 % gets (220 − 160) × 0.9 = 54 pins a game.
What basis and percentage do leagues use?
Each league sets its own. Common choices are a basis of 200, 210, 220 or 230 and a percentage of 80, 90 or 100 %. Check your league rules; the basis is usually higher than the best average in the league.
What if my average is above the basis?
Then the handicap is 0. Leagues do not give negative handicaps, so a bowler averaging 235 with a 220 basis bowls scratch.
Are fractions rounded up?
No, they are dropped: (210 − 187) × 0.8 = 18.4 becomes 18. That is the usual rule in league play; if your league rounds differently, adjust by one pin.