To get a pickleball rating, you'll first self-assess your skill level using the "DUPR" system. DUPR is an entry-level pickleball rating that runs on a scale of 2.00 to 8.00. Once you've started playing in tournaments, you'll receive an official "UTPR" pickleball rating. Beginners receive a rating of 1.0, while the best professional pickleball players achieve a rating of 6.0+.
How to Get A DUPR Rating in Pickleball
The DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) website claims to be “Pickleball’s Most Accurate Global Rating System.”
It rates players on their match results without considering skill level, location, gender, or age. The DUP rating system uses a scale of 2.00 to 8.00. DUPR is the “entry-level” rating and can be self-assessed.
Completing the DUPR Process
A DUPR is available to anybody free of charge, and only a single match result is required to achieve a DUP rating. The best part of the DUPR process is that almost any pickleball game that you play will count towards your DUPR rating! That means you can record self-posted scores from recreational or open-play tournaments, and those scores will have a direct impact on your DUPR rating.
For example, if an unrated player posts their score after a game with three other unrated players. In this case, all four players will receive a rating when one later plays a rated player. However, it is important to note that some matches are weighted more heavily than others, meaning that sanctioned amateur and pro tournaments will impact your grade more heavily than unsanctioned events.
How to Get An UTPR Rating in Pickleball
USA Pickleball Tournament Player Ratings (UTPR) are calculated based on official tournament results. UTPR ratings cannot be self-assessed. This rating system looks at your victories and defeats, as well as the UTPR of your opponent.
Obtaining a UTPR requires more involvement than a DUPR because you need to join authorized tournaments to gain points.
UTPRs have a rounded-down two-digit skill level and a more detailed four-digit rating. Players can achieve singles, doubles, and mixed doubles ratings – one rating for each particular event they play in.
UTPRs are more precise than tournament directors’ ratings or self-ratings.
Completing the UTPR Process
You can attain a UTPR by registering your tournament results on PickleballTournaments.com.
Only the last three years’ results are taken into account. Your rating will automatically adjust based on those results and become an officially recognized USA Pickleball Tournament Player Rating. The USAPA requires officially-sanctioned events to use tournament software from Pickleballtournaments.com.
How Are Pickleball Ratings Calculated?
Pickleball rating systems use a 2-digit or 4-digit number determined by factors like your competition type, result (victory or defeat), margin of victory, and skill level of your opponent.
DUPR
A DUPR depends on three factors:
- Winning margin (taking into account points won).
- Competition type (tournament vs. league play vs. rec play).
- Result (victory or defeat).
UTPR
Only tournaments from pickleballtournaments.com can be used to calculate a UTPR.
- Fully sanctioned tournaments will give you a 100% UTPR weighting.
- lMedal-match-only sanctioned tournaments give you 80%.
- Non-sanctioned competitions only give you 60%.
Four-digit UTPRs are updated weekly, and two-digit UTPRs, which allow you to register for tournaments, are calculated quarterly.
UTPRs for doubles use the individual’s average ratings. So if one member of the partnership is at 3.500 and the other at 3.700, the team UTPR will be 3.600.
Do You Need a Pickleball Rating?
If you’re playing casually at your pickleball club, you don’t need a pickleball rating.
However, if you’re entering tournaments, they will request ratings if you’ve never participated before, so it’s necessary to have some way to communicate your skill level objectively, even if it’s a self-rating.
What Are the Lowest and Highest Pickleball Ratings?
As a rule of thumb, player rating definitions are as follows:
- 1.0-2.0 – Beginners
- 2.5 – You have played pickleball a few times and have a basic understanding of the sport (the play and the scoring).
- 3.0 – You can have the odd short rally without hitting the ball out or into the net. You are very aware of your clumsy footwork around the court.
- 3.5 – You are starting to master some fundamentals and consistency with ground strokes, serves, and rallies; you recognize the hard and soft game and use the non-volley zone.
- 4.0 – You are employing variety in your shots with lobs, dinks, block volleys, and drop shots. Your shot speed is increasing, and you are committing fewer unforced errors. You only occasionally notice your footwork limiting your court movement.
- 4.5 – You are starting to match opponents of a higher level and notice your opponent’s weaknesses. You are beginning to dictate some of the aspects of the game. You have proactive moments rather than being constantly reactive.
- 5.0 – Your forehands and backhands are starting to win you consistent points against higher-level opponents; your appreciation and execution of the trickier shots are proving effective. Your good footwork enhances your game rather than limiting it.
- 5.5-6.0 – Your court positioning is effortless and effective. You feel there is a certain mastery to your game, and you are more than holding your own against other top-rated players.
