Bowling Handicap Calculator
Calculate a bowling handicap per game using the USBC method, then enter optional game scores to find your adjusted game and series totals.
Part of our Math & Percentage Calculators collection.
Bowling Handicap Calculator
Free online calculator
Use the basis established by your league rules.
Some leagues subtract pins when an average is above the basis.
Separate scores with commas or spaces to calculate an adjusted series.
How to Use This Calculator
- 1
Enter the bowler's established average.
- 2
Enter the basis score and handicap percentage from your league rules.
- 3
Choose whether the league permits a negative handicap.
- 4
Optionally enter individual game scores separated by commas or spaces.
- 5
Review the per-game handicap and adjusted series total.
USBC Bowling Handicap Formula
Handicap per game = (Basis Score − Bowling Average) × Handicap Percentage Drop any fraction after applying the percentage. Adjusted Game = Scratch Game + Handicap per Game Adjusted Series = Scratch Series + (Handicap per Game × Games)
Example Calculation
Example: 90% of 220 for a 150-average bowler
Inputs
Result
63 pins per game; 736 adjusted series
(220 − 150) × 90% = 63 pins. The scratch series is 547; adding 189 handicap pins produces a 736 adjusted series.
How bowling handicap works
A bowling handicap helps competitors with different averages bowl on a more equitable basis. The league selects a basis score and percentage, then applies that percentage to the difference between the basis and the bowler's average. Common recreational settings use 90% of 220, while USBC guidance recommends 100% and a basis above the highest league average for the most balanced competition. Your league rules always control the settings used in competition.
Game and series scoring
The per-game handicap is added to each scratch game. For a series, multiply the per-game handicap by the number of games and add it to the scratch series total. USBC rules drop fractions when calculating averages and handicap. This calculator therefore truncates the final handicap to a whole pin and can optionally retain a negative handicap when a league uses that rule.