Bowling Average Calculator: League Average, Handicap and Pins Needed
Work out your bowling average from any number of games or from season totals, with the USBC league average (fractions dropped), handicap from your league basis and percentage, high and low game, and the pins you need next game or series to reach a target average.
How it works
Average = total pins ÷ games bowled · League (USBC) average = average with the fraction dropped · Handicap per game = (basis − league average) × percentage, fraction dropped · Pins needed next game for target T = T × (games + 1) − total pins · Next 3-game series = T × (games + 3) − total pins
Your bowling average is total pins knocked down divided by the number of games, using scratch scores (without handicap). A league average is always worked from season totals, not by averaging nightly averages, so enter all your games or switch to Season totals. Under USBC rules, fractions are dropped when figuring averages and handicap: 158.67 becomes 158. Handicap lets bowlers of different abilities compete. Most leagues use a percentage of the difference between a basis score and your average, for example 90% of 220. USBC’s default is 100% unless league rules say otherwise, and the result is rounded down to a whole pin. The handicap grid shows how your handicap changes with common bases and percentages. To raise your average to a target, the pins you need are the target times the new number of games, minus the pins you already have. Early in a season one big game moves the average a lot; after 60 or more games it barely moves.
Worked example
Games of 156, 178 and 142 total a 476 series, so the average is 476 ÷ 3 = 158.67 and the league average is 158. High game is 178 and low game 142. With a 220 basis at 90%, handicap is (220 − 158) × 0.9 = 55.8, dropped to 55 pins a game (165 for the series). To reach a 170 average you would need 170 × 4 − 476 = 204 next game, or a 544 series (181.3 a game) over the next three games.
Sources: USBC Playing Rules 2026–2027 (Rule 100d: fractions dropped, 100% default handicap) · Bowlingball.com BowlVersity: how to calculate bowling handicap (worked example)
Frequently asked questions
How do you calculate a bowling average?
Add up all your scratch scores and divide by the number of games, then drop any fraction. Games of 140, 146 and 156 total 442; 442 ÷ 3 = 147.3, so the average is 147.
How is bowling handicap calculated?
Subtract your average from the league’s basis score and multiply by the handicap percentage, dropping any fraction. With a 200 basis at 90% and a 147 average: (200 − 147) × 0.9 = 47.7, so 47 pins are added to each game.
What is a good bowling average?
As a rough guide, casual bowlers often average under 120, league bowlers commonly 150–180, and 200 or more is a strong amateur. Professionals average well above 200 on tougher oil patterns.
Should I round my bowling average up?
No. USBC rules say fractions are dropped when figuring averages and handicap, so 158.67 counts as 158. The calculator shows both the exact average and the league average.
How many pins do I need to raise my average?
Multiply your target by the number of games you will have bowled, then subtract the pins you already have. After 3 games at 476 pins, reaching 170 needs 170 × 4 − 476 = 204 in the next game.
Is this the same as a cricket bowling average?
No. In cricket, bowling average is runs conceded divided by wickets taken, where lower is better. This calculator is for ten-pin bowling, where a higher average is better.
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This calculator is for educational purposes. Double-check important results before acting on them.