Rating Estimator – Calculate USCF FIDE, CFC and Chess Ratings

Welcome to the Rating Estimator – your ultimate tool to calculate and estimate chess ratings with ease! Whether you’re curious about your USCF, FIDE, or CFC rating, this webpage offers a simple and efficient way to find out. Input your FIDE, CFC, or USCF rating, click the corresponding button, and let the Rating Estimator do the rest. No more guessing games; discover your estimated ratings in just a few clicks. Perfect for chess enthusiasts, players, and aspiring grandmasters looking to gauge their performance across various chess federations. Get started now and unlock the power of chess rating estimation!

What is USCF Rating Estimator?

The USCF (United States Chess Federation) Rating Estimator is a tool that allows chess players to estimate their USCF rating based on their ratings in other chess federations or systems. The USCF is the official governing body for chess in the United States, and it uses a rating system to assess the playing strength of chess players.

The USCF rating system is similar to other popular chess ratings systems like FIDE (Fédération Internationale des Échecs – World Chess Federation) and CFC (Chess Federation of Canada). However, each rating system has its own formulas and calculations for converting ratings between systems.

The USCF Rating Estimator inputs a player’s rating in either FIDE or CFC and provides an estimated equivalent USCF rating. It can also estimate a player’s FIDE or CFC rating based on their USCF rating. The estimation uses specific conversion formulas based on Dr. Mark E. Glickman’s latest USCF rating formulas as of September 24, 2017.

Remember that the USCF Rating Estimator is an approximation tool and may not reflect a player’s true playing strength perfectly. Actual performance in USCF-rated tournaments will determine a player’s official USCF rating over time. The estimator is useful for players who want to get a rough idea of how their ratings in different chess federations compare to the USCF rating system without playing official USCF-rated games.

This estimator is made based on the instruction of the chess rating system.

How does this USCF Rating Estimator work?

The USCF Rating Estimator is a simple tool that helps chess players get an approximate idea of what their USCF rating might be based on their ratings from other chess federations like FIDE or CFC. It also works in reverse, estimating their FIDE or CFC rating from their USCF rating.

Here’s how it works:

  1. Entering Ratings: There are three input boxes labeled “FIDE Rating,” “CFC Rating,” and “USCF Rating.” In each box, you can enter your rating from the respective chess federation. For example, if you have a FIDE rating of 1800, you would enter “1800” in the “FIDE Rating” box.
  2. Estimating USCF Rating: Let’s say you want to know what your USCF rating might be based on your FIDE rating. After entering your FIDE rating, click the “Estimate USCF From FIDE Rating” button. The tool will then use specific formulas to calculate an estimated equivalent USCF rating based on your FIDE rating.
  3. Estimating FIDE or CFC Rating: If you have a USCF rating and want to know what it could be in FIDE or CFC, you can enter your USCF rating and click the “Estimate FIDE From USCF Rating” or “Estimate USCF From CFC Rating” button, respectively. The tool will then estimate the corresponding rating for the selected federation.
  4. Clearing Input: If you want to estimate a different rating or simply clear the input, you can use the “Clear FIDE,” “Clear CFC,” or “Clear USCF” buttons. They will reset the corresponding input box, so you can enter new ratings.

This USCF rating estimator can be used as the USCF rating calculator, FIDE rating calculator, CFC rating calculator, and Chess rating calculator.

Is a 1200 USCF rating good?


A USCF rating of 1200 is considered to be an average rating for casual chess players. The USCF rating system generally ranges from around 100 to 3000 or more, with higher ratings indicating stronger players.

Here’s a rough breakdown of USCF ratings and what they typically represent:

  • Novice Level: 0 – 500
  • Beginner Level: 500 – 800
  • Intermediate Level: 800 – 1200
  • Advanced Level: 1200 – 1600
  • Expert Level: 1600 – 2000
  • Master Level: 2000 and above

So, a USCF rating of 1200 falls into the intermediate level. It means the player has some experience and understanding of chess but may still have room for improvement. At this level, players may have a basic understanding of chess strategies, tactics, and openings, but they may also make occasional mistakes or overlook certain moves.

Keep in mind that “good” is relative, and what is considered good can vary depending on individual goals and the level of competition. Some players might be satisfied with a 1200 rating as a recreational player, while others might strive to improve and aim for higher ratings to compete at a more competitive level.

Ultimately, the most important thing is to enjoy playing chess and continue to learn and improve regardless of the specific rating. Chess is a game of constant learning and growth, and players of all levels can find joy in the challenges it offers.

What is the FIDE rating system?

The FIDE rating system is a method used by the World Chess Federation (Fédération Internationale des Échecs or FIDE) to calculate and assign ratings to chess players based on their performance in rated tournaments. The FIDE rating system was introduced in 1970 and is widely recognized as the official rating system for international chess competitions.

Key features of the FIDE rating system include:

  1. Elo Rating System: The FIDE rating system is based on the Elo rating system, which Arpad Elo developed. Each player is assigned an Elo rating, which reflects their relative skill level compared to other players. The higher the Elo rating, the stronger the player is considered to be.
  2. Performance Rating: In FIDE-rated tournaments, players earn or lose rating points based on their performance in each individual game. The number of rating points gained or lost depends on the difference in ratings between the players and the game’s outcome (win, loss, or draw).
  3. K-Factor: The K-factor is a parameter that determines the amount of rating points gained or lost in a single game. It is used to regulate the volatility of a player’s rating and is typically higher for less experienced players and lower for more established players.
  4. Rating Floor: FIDE imposes a minimum rating (rating floor) for players. New players start with a provisional rating, and as they play more games and their rating becomes more reliable, it stabilizes.
  5. Rating Categories: FIDE ratings are divided into different categories, such as Grandmaster (GM), International Master (IM), FIDE Master (FM), Candidate Master (CM), and various rating bands.
  6. Regular Updates: FIDE ratings are usually updated monthly for most players and more frequently for top-level players.
  7. International Recognition: FIDE ratings are recognized worldwide and are used to determine title norms and invitations to prestigious tournaments.

What is a CFC rating?

A CFC rating refers to a chess player’s rating in the Chess Federation of Canada (CFC) rating system. The Chess Federation of Canada is the governing body for chess in Canada and maintains its own rating system to calculate and assign ratings to chess players based on their performance in CFC-rated tournaments.

Key features of the CFC rating system include:

  1. CFC Rating Calculation: The CFC rating system is based on the Elo rating system, similar to the FIDE rating system. Each player is assigned a CFC rating, which reflects their relative skill level compared to other players in Canada.
  2. Performance Rating: Like in other Elo-based systems, players earn or lose rating points based on their performance in individual games in CFC-rated tournaments. The number of rating points gained or lost depends on the difference in ratings between the players and the outcome of the game (win, loss, or draw).
  3. Regular Updates: CFC ratings are usually updated after each CFC-rated tournament, allowing players to track their progress and improvement over time.
  4. Rating Bands: CFC ratings are divided into different bands, with players achieving different titles or recognition based on their ratings, such as Candidate Master (CM), Expert (E), National Master (NM), and higher.
  5. Rating Floor: Similar to FIDE, CFC may impose a minimum rating (rating floor) for players to ensure a minimum level of playing strength before they receive an official rating.
  6. National Recognition: CFC ratings are used for various purposes within the Canadian chess community, such as determining title norms and invitations to national-level tournaments.

USCF chess rating look-up ( Overall – 2023)

RankPlayer NameStateCountryRating
1Aronian, Levon (15218444)MOUSA2796
2Nakamura, Hikaru (12641216)NYUSA2778
3So, Wesley (13145890)MNUSA2749
4Dominguez Perez, Leinier (14744935)MOUSA2728
5Bruzon Batista, Lazaro (15199286)MOUSA2700
6Akopian, Vladimir (12561112)CAUSA2669
7Swiercz, Dariusz (16113717)MOUSA2667
8Caruana, Fabiano (12743305)FLUSA2665
9Yermolinsky, Alex (12534917)SDUSA2652
9Lenderman, Aleksandr (12787646)NYUSA2652
11Hernandez, Holden (15169615)TXUSA2645
12Christiansen, Larry M (10460921)MAUSA2635
13Akobian, Varuzhan (12740522)MOUSA2627
14Dlugy, Maxim (11435629)PAUSA2606
15Zherebukh, Yaroslav (15105277)ILUSA2603
16Quesada Perez, Yuniesky (15197865)MOUSA2601
17Shabalov, Alexander (12544264)PAUSA2597
18Sokolin, Leonid M (12541565)NJUSA2595
19Wolff, Patrick G (11343406)CAUSA2591
20Xiong, Jeffery (13648621)TXUSA2586
21Izoria, Zviad (12922861)CAUSA2585
22Finegold, Benjamin P (11264417)GAUSA2577
23Moradiabadi, Elshan (14821464)NCUSA2549
24Duque, Sm Raymond D. (12470979)TXUSA2548
25Becerra, Julio J (12778049)FLUSA2544
26Norowitz, Yaacov (12566496)NJUSA2543
26Hess, Robert L (12749774)NYUSA2543
28Shankland, Sam (12852765)CAUSA2542
29Chandra, Akshat (14864036)MOUSA2536
30Corrales Jimenez, Fidel (14958890)NYUSA2535
31Fishbein, Alexander (12077910)TNUSA2533
32Benjamin, Joel (10102511)NJUSA2531
33Gonzalez, Renier (12843801)FLUSA2513
34Root, Douglas D (10452881)TXUSA2507
35Robson, Ray (12847250)MOUSA2505
36Checa, Nicolas De T (14129047)NYUSA2500
37Sturt, Raven M (12836880)NYUSA2498
38Sevillano, Enrico (12650696)CAUSA2466
39Naroditsky, Daniel A (12892910)NCUSA2456
40Ivanov, Alexander (12513936)MAUSA2448
41Ostrovskiy, Aleksandr (12881112)NYUSA2432
42Kiewra, Keaton (12642647)CAUSA2428
43Krush, Irina (12543137)NYUSA2423
44Bartell, Thomas (12559979)PAUSA2421
45Nagle, Sean (12571512)MNUSA2414
46Schroer, Jonathan (10118131)NCUSA2412
46De Firmian, Nick E (10469007)CAUSA2412
48Gorman, Dov (12462633)NJUSA2405
49Holt, Conrad (12937909)KSUSA2403
50Gurevich, Dmitry (12212800)ILUSA2399
50Smith, Bryan G (12602587)PAUSA2399
50Hungaski, Robert (12790312)CTUSA2399
53Niemann, Hans (15041466)CTUSA2398
54Khmelnitsky, Igor (12556361)PAUSA2396
55Tokhirjonova, Gulrukhbegim (17140065)MOUSA2393
56Kudrin, Sergey (11257585)CTUSA2391
57Blocker, Calvin (10262160)OHUSA2390
58Zatonskih, Anna (12873912)NWUSA2389
59Donaldson, William John (10270294)CAUSA2387
59Ippolito, Dean J (12445752)NCUSA2387
61Perez, Robert M (12913092)FLUSA2381
62Jacobson, Brandon (14160065)NJUSA2380
63Gulamali, Kazim (12680172)GAUSA2375
64Lu, Maximillian (14732597)CTUSA2366
65Colas, Joshua (13242201)NYUSA2362
66Lakdawala, Cyrus F (11486738)CAUSA2360
67Rensch, Daniel M (12659833)AZUSA2356
68Kraai, Jesse (12442362)MDUSA2354
69Lapshun, Yury (12548533)NYUSA2348
70Foisor, Sabina-Francesca (14012260)NCUSA2342
71Schuyler, James (12168140)VAUSA2338
72Wang, Kevin (12927795)MDUSA2330
72Jacobson, Aaron (13871294)NJUSA2330
74Bartholomew, John (12718516)MNUSA2329
75Zierk, Steven (12796611)CAUSA2328
76Pourkashiyan, Atousa (15368733)CAUSA2327
77Grabinsky, Aaron (14456386)ORUSA2326
78Sheng, Joshua (13974250)CAUSA2324
79Acor, Corey Bryan (12788211)FLUSA2322
80Adamson, Robby (12150400)AZUSA2320
81Winer, Steven (12549813)MAUSA2318
82Griffith, Kyron (12860484)CAUSA2316
83Taylor, Timothy W (10153557)CAUSA2309
83Lin, Andy (12926132)AZUSA2309
85Abrahamyan, Tatev (12851435)MOUSA2304
86Readey, John L (10361877)WAUSA2302
86Bereolos, Peter (11414966)TNUSA2302
88Rubenchik, Rodion (12413101)NJUSA2301
89Johnson, Leonard Jeffrey (12436272)MNUSA2300
90Mchugh, Edward Francis (12363210)CTUSA2297
90Pressman, Leif (12693373)NYUSA2297
92Katz, Alexander (12885132)CAUSA2295
93Sharevich, Anna (14690848)MOUSA2292
94Raptis, Nick (12470662)ORUSA2285
94Rosen, Eric S (12853959)ILUSA2285
96Chandran, Kapil (13023280)CTUSA2284
97Lee, Dean Bruce (12492457)TNUSA2282
97Li, George (13646954)ILUSA2282
99Zlotnikov, Mikhail (11453015)NJUSA2280
100Garcia, Erick Gumersindo (13983494)PAUSA2279
100Chen, Justin (14732288)NYUSA2279
100Derakhshani, Dorsa (16464180)MOUSA2279

What is a Norms Calculator?

A Norms Calculator is a tool used in chess to calculate and track norms achieved by players during tournaments. Norms are performance achievements required for players to earn higher titles, such as International Master (IM) or Grandmaster (GM). These norms are based on the player’s performance against opponents of varying strengths and are essential for players seeking to progress in their chess careers.

The Norms Calculator considers factors like the player’s opponents’ ratings, the number of games played, and the player’s performance in those games. It helps determine whether the player has met the criteria for earning a norm based on the specific requirements set by the chess federation or organization.

By using the Norms Calculator, players can keep track of their progress and eligibility for title norms, which are significant milestones in the chess world. Moreover, it is a valuable tool for ambitious chess players looking to advance in their competitive chess journey.