What's your handicap?
Pick a preset or enter custom values. Result updates as you type.
Your current league average — total pins divided by games bowled. Recreational range: 110–150; competitive: 170–210.
Most leagues post these on the standings sheet. Ask the league secretary if you don't know.
How a bowling handicap works.
A bowling handicap evens the playing field across bowlers of different skill levels. Better bowlers earn fewer bonus pins; developing bowlers earn more. After the handicap is added to each scratch game, anyone in the league can theoretically win on a good night.
The standard USBC formula
- Basis is the high target score your league posts (220 is the most common).
- Average is your sanctioned league average — total pins ÷ games bowled.
- Percentageis the league’s adjustment factor (90% is USBC standard).
- The brackets ⌊ ⌋mean “round down” — the USBC convention.
Worked example
You’re a 155-average bowler in a USBC-standard league (basis 220, percentage 90%). Your handicap is:
- Subtract your average from the basis: 220 − 155 = 65
- Multiply by the percentage: 65 × 0.90 = 58.5
- Round down to a whole number: handicap = 58
- Roll a scratch 145 → adjusted score is 145 + 58 = 203. Roll a scratch 175 → adjusted score is 233. Same handicap on every game that night.
Common league setups
| League type | Basis | Percentage | 155-avg handicap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recreational | 210 | 80% | +44 |
| USBC standard | 220 | 90% | +58 |
| Competitive | 230 | 100% | +75 |
| Youth | 200 | 90% | +40 |
Where to find your league’s basis & percentage
Both numbers are posted on the league standings sheet most weeks. If you can’t find them, ask your league secretary — they’re not secret, just easy to overlook. The official USBC rules and recommended formulas are documented at bowl.com / league resources.