If you grew up with the idea of a "perfect 10", modern gymnastics scores can look strange. A routine might score 14.533, and the commentators will talk about start values, connection bonuses and neutral deductions. This guide explains how the system works in artistic gymnastics, then shows how the other disciplines differ.
From the perfect 10 to open-ended scores
Until 2005, artistic gymnastics was scored out of 10. The system had a ceiling, and at the top of the sport too many gymnasts were bunched near it. After a judging controversy at the 2004 Olympics, the FIG introduced an open-ended system from 2006. Instead of one score with a maximum of 10, every routine now receives two separate scores that are added together.
The final score is:
| Component | What it measures | Range |
|---|---|---|
| D-score | Difficulty: the value of the elements performed, connections and composition requirements | Open-ended, rises with harder routines |
| E-score | Execution: how well the routine was performed | Starts at 10.0, deductions are subtracted |
| Neutral deductions | Penalties for things like stepping out of bounds or time faults | Subtracted from the total |
So a gymnast with a D-score of 6.0 and an E-score of 8.5 receives 14.5, minus any neutral deductions.
The D-score: what makes a routine difficult
Every recognised element in the Code of Points has a difficulty value, usually expressed as a letter (A is the easiest, then B, C, D and upwards) with a matching value in tenths. The D-panel judges identify each element as it is performed and credit only those that meet the technical requirements.
The D-score is built from three parts: - Element values. Only a set number of the highest-value elements count, so adding more easy skills does not raise the score. The number of counting elements differs between men's and women's gymnastics. - Composition requirements. Each apparatus has required element groups, such as a turn on beam or a flight element on bars. Missing a requirement costs value. - Connection value. On some apparatus, performing certain elements directly one after another earns bonus tenths.
On vault, the system is simpler: each vault in the code has a fixed difficulty value, and that value is the D-score if the vault is performed as declared.
Elements are named after the gymnasts who first perform them successfully at a major FIG competition. That is why the code includes skills named Biles, Derwael, Kovacs and many others.
The E-score: what judges take off
Execution judges start from 10.0 and deduct for faults in form, technique and artistry. Typical deductions in artistic gymnastics look like this:
| Fault | Typical deduction |
|---|---|
| Small error (slightly bent knees, small step on landing) | 0.1 |
| Medium error (larger step, noticeable form break) | 0.3 |
| Large error (big hop, hands brushing the mat) | 0.5 |
| Fall from the apparatus or on landing | 1.0 |
Deductions add up quickly. Leg separations, flexed feet, incomplete twists and short handstands can each cost a tenth or more, and judges may apply several on a single skill.
Execution is judged by a panel of several judges. Their scores are compared, the highest and lowest are dropped, and the remaining scores are averaged. That method limits the influence of any one judge.
Neutral deductions
Some penalties are not about form at all. On floor, stepping outside the boundary line costs a fixed amount. Going over the time limit, missing a required salute or an unauthorised coach intervention also lead to neutral deductions. These are applied to the final score rather than to the E-score.
Inquiries and ties
Coaches can file an inquiry about the D-score immediately after a routine if they believe the panel has missed an element or undervalued a connection. A senior panel then reviews the routine on video. The E-score cannot be appealed.
Ties are broken according to the competition rules. A well-known example came at the 2018 World Championships in Doha, where the men's all-around final ended with two gymnasts on exactly the same total; the tie-break gave the title to Artur Dalaloyan on execution. Rules like this exist so that a final always produces a single champion.
Technology at the judges' table
Major events now use video replay for D-panel review, and computer-assisted judging support has been introduced on some apparatus at the highest level. The aim is to help judges identify elements accurately; the human panel still awards the scores.
How other disciplines score
The open-ended model has spread across gymnastics, but each discipline has its own mix of components.
| Discipline | Main score components |
|---|---|
| Rhythmic gymnastics | Difficulty (body and apparatus), artistry and technical execution |
| Trampoline | Difficulty, execution, time of flight and horizontal displacement |
| Acrobatic gymnastics | Difficulty, artistry and execution |
| Aerobic gymnastics | Difficulty, artistry and execution |
| TeamGym | Difficulty, execution and composition, with emphasis on group uniformity |
Our explainers on rhythmic apparatus and trampoline, tumbling and DMT go into more detail.
Watching with a scorer's eye
Next time you watch a final, try this: 1. Watch the landings first. Steps and hops are the easiest deductions to spot and often decide medals. 2. On beam and bars, look for pauses between elements. A pause can break a connection and cost bonus value. 3. Compare two gymnasts with similar D-scores. The one with the cleaner lines will usually win, because execution margins are where most finals are decided. 4. Watch the scoreboard. After a few routines you will start to predict E-scores within a few tenths.
Why the system matters for gymnasts
The open-ended system rewards ambition, but it also punishes risk. A gymnast who adds a harder skill gains D-score only if she or he can perform it cleanly; a fall costs a full point plus form deductions. Coaches constantly balance difficulty against reliability, and that balance shapes routines from club level to the Olympic final.
