Chess Accuracy and Estimated Rating
Accuracy is a 0–100% score for how closely your moves matched the engine’s best — here’s how it’s calculated and what counts as good.
Accuracy measures how close your moves were to the engine’s best, on a 0–100% scale. It’s derived from the win probability you lost on each move, using lichess’s open accuracy formula — so a move that barely changes your winning chances costs almost nothing, while a swing costs a lot. See it on your games in the free game review.
What’s a good accuracy?
There’s no single number, because accuracy depends on how sharp the game was. As a rough guide, casual games often land in the 70s, club-level play in the low-to-mid 80s, and a 90%+ game is very clean. Quiet positions score higher than tactical brawls, so the most useful comparison is your own games over time, not one game against another.
Average centipawn loss (ACPL)
ACPL is the companion metric: the average evaluation you surrendered per move, in centipawns. Where accuracy compresses into a friendly 0–100% scale, ACPL is linear and unforgiving — lower is better, and strong games are often under ~20.
Estimated rating
The review also shows an estimated rating from your accuracy. Treat it as a rough signal for a single game, not your real strength — that comes from many games against rated opponents. (It’s an honest heuristic and still being calibrated; see About.)
How to improve it
- Cut blunders first — one blunder sinks accuracy more than several small slips.
- Review your losses, not just wins; the biggest win-probability swings are where to focus.
- Use the guided game review to see why a move was punished, then replay the better line.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good accuracy in chess?
It depends on the position’s sharpness, but as a rough guide: casual games often land in the 70s, club players frequently score in the low-to-mid 80s, and 90%+ is a very clean game. Quiet, simple games naturally score higher than wild tactical ones, so compare like with like.
What is average centipawn loss (ACPL)?
ACPL is the average evaluation you gave up per move versus the engine’s best, measured in centipawns (hundredths of a pawn). Lower is better — strong games are often under about 20.
Is the estimated rating my real rating?
No. It’s a heuristic estimate from a single game’s accuracy, meant for context only. Your real rating comes from many games against rated opponents; treat the estimate as a rough signal, not a verdict.
Why is my accuracy lower in sharp games?
Sharp positions have more ways to go wrong and bigger swings, so the same human play tends to score lower accuracy than in calm positions. The game accuracy weights volatile moments more heavily.