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Bowling League Handicap Calculator

Compute a bowler's league handicap and handicap series from their average using the standard basis-minus-average times percentage method.

Enter your average, the league basis and percentage. Add scratch scores for handicap totals.

About this tool

The Bowling League Handicap Calculator works out the pin bonus a bowler receives so that players of different abilities can compete fairly. It uses the standard league method: Handicap per game = floor((Basis − Average) × Percentage), where the Basis is the league's chosen high mark (commonly 200, 210, 220, or a 300 scratch cap) and the Percentage is the league factor (often 80%, 90%, or 100%).

Enter your average, the league's basis, and the percentage to get your per-game handicap. If your average is at or above the basis you are a “scratch” bowler for that league and the handicap is zero — the method never produces a negative handicap. All arithmetic runs locally in your browser, so nothing you enter is uploaded.

Optionally enter a scratch game and scratch series (and the number of games in a series, usually 3) and the tool adds your handicap to show your handicap game and handicap series total. For example, an average of 165 in a 220-basis, 90% league gives floor((220 − 165) × 0.90) = floor(49.5) = 49 pins per game, or 147 pins across a three-game series — the bonus added to your scratch scores to determine the result.

Frequently asked questions

What is the bowling handicap formula?
Handicap per game = floor((Basis − Average) × Percentage). The basis is the league's high mark (e.g. 220) and the percentage is its factor (e.g. 90%). Results are rounded down, and a bowler at or above the basis gets zero.
What basis and percentage should I use?
Use the values your league sets — common bases are 200, 210, 220, or a 300 cap, and common percentages are 80%, 90%, or 100%. A higher percentage and basis give more handicap pins to lower-average bowlers.
Why can't the handicap be negative?
By rule, if your average meets or exceeds the basis your handicap is zero. Scratch-or-better bowlers simply receive no bonus pins; the method never subtracts pins from a strong bowler's score.
How is the handicap series calculated?
It is the per-game handicap multiplied by the number of games in the series (usually 3). Added to your scratch series it gives your handicap series total — the figure used to decide the match.

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