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CalcIntel

Updated · Methodology: named formula library

Elo Rating Change Calculator

Calculate Elo rating change from match result (chess, online competitive games).

New Elo Rating
1520

Expected 36.0% win, K=32. 1500 + 32 × (1 − 0.36) = 1520 (+20.5).

Your rating1500
Opponent rating1600
Expected win %36.0%
ResultWin
New rating1520
Change+20.5
Data sources: CalcIntel Formula Library

Elo Rating

Used in chess, League of Legends, CS, etc. K-factor: 32 for active players, 16 for masters. Your rating change scales with the gap — beating someone 200 pts higher gains more than beating an equal opponent.

Worked Example

1500 beats 1600 (K=32)

ownRating
1500
oppRating
1600
result
1
Result
New rating: 1521 (+21)

Expected win = 36%. Won. ΔR = 32 × (1 − 0.36) = +21.

When to Use This Calculator

  • Predict Elo gains/losses
  • Estimate matchmaking outcomes

Limitations & Common Mistakes

  • Results are estimates based on the inputs you provide.
  • Always verify with current data and consult a professional for major decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Elo work?

Expected = 1 / (1 + 10^((opponent − own) / 400)). New rating = old + K × (actual − expected). Win = 1, Draw = 0.5, Loss = 0. K-factor: 32 for active players, 16 for masters, 10 for top-100. Beating someone 200 points higher = +21 if K=32. Losing to a 200-points-lower opponent = −27.

Why 400?

It's the scale parameter Arpad Elo chose so a 200-point gap = ~75% expected win rate, and a 400-point gap = ~91%. Different games tune this differently; standard chess and most online games use 400.

Is Elo fair?

Asymptotically yes — over many games, Elo converges to your "true" skill level. Short-term it's noisy (single matches can swing your rating ±30 points). Smurfs and rating decay can distort the system; modern games use Glicko or TrueSkill to address volatility.

What's K-factor?

Controls how much a single match changes your rating. Higher K = faster adaptation (good for new players whose true skill is uncertain). Lower K = more stable rating (good for established players). FIDE uses K=40 for new players, K=20 for under-2400, K=10 for elite.

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