Free calculator

Bowling average and handicap calculator

Enter your scores, then your league's basis and percentage. The answer updates as you type, and nothing leaves your phone.

Get it on Google Play Start free
  • On Android, or in any phone's browser
  • Pro free for your first 30 days
  • No card to start

Your average

Your handicap

How bowling handicap works

Handicap is the pins added to each game so bowlers of different averages can compete. Your league sets a basis, a score such as 220, and a percentage, such as 90%. Your handicap is the difference between the basis and your average, times the percentage. With a 172 average at 90% of 220: 220 minus 172 is 48, and 90% of 48 is 43.2, so your handicap is 43 pins a game.

Why the fraction is dropped

Averages and handicaps are usually cut down to the whole pin rather than rounded: 172.9 is a 172 average, and 43.2 is 43 pins. That's how USBC-certified leagues do it, and most others follow the same rule. If your league rounds instead, its rules say so.

Your average, kept for you

  • My Bowling Journey keeps your average for each league as you log games
  • Your high game and high series, kept with it
  • Practice and open bowling logged apart from league
  • Works with no signal at the bowling center

Free

Free, for as long as you bowl

  • Your average for each league and season
  • Frame-by-frame scoring and the scoresheet
  • One league, plus unlimited practice and open bowling
  • Milestones and badges

Pro

Everything in Free, plus

  • Every league and team you bowl in
  • Season against season and house against house
  • Scorecard import from a photo
  • Nightcap: your night, read back to you

Questions

What basis and percentage should I use?

The ones your league uses: they are in the league rules, or ask your league secretary. 90% of 220 and 80% of 210 are common, but leagues choose their own.

What if my average is above the basis?

Then your handicap is 0. Handicap only adds pins; it never takes them away.

How many games does a league average need?

Each league sets its own rule, and many use your average from the end of last season until you have bowled enough games this season. Check your league rules.

More from My Bowling Journey

All featuresEvery feature in the app, by name, and what it does.Bowling score trackerScore frame by frame, with averages and series that keep themselves.Spare trackerEvery leave you face, and how often you pick it up.Bowling ball trackerYour arsenal, your bags, and which ball is really working.Bowling league appTeam scoring, your league live, and where you stand.Help and supportAnswers to the questions bowlers ask most, and how to reach a person when they don't cover it.

Your next league night is the first one worth logging.

Start free. Pro is on us for 30 days.

Get it on Google Play Start free