Chess.com vs Lichess Ratings Explained
Why your rating looks different on each platform and what the numbers really mean.
Published 2026-02-01 | Last verified 2026-02-12
Professor Archer says: My students always ask why their Lichess rating is higher than their Chess.com rating. The answer is simple: different starting points, different pools, different math. Neither number is wrong - they just measure on different scales.
Why the Ratings Differ
Chess.com uses the Glicko system with a starting rating around 400 to 800 depending on your initial assessment. Lichess uses Glicko-2 with a starting rating of 1500 for new accounts. This difference in starting point ripples through the entire rating distribution.
As a result, Lichess ratings tend to run 200 to 400 points higher than Chess.com ratings for the same player. A 1500 on Chess.com might be roughly equivalent to a 1700 to 1800 on Lichess.
Platform Comparison
| Feature | Chess.com | Lichess |
|---|---|---|
| Rating system | Glicko | Glicko-2 |
| Starting rating | Based on initial games (~400-800) | 1500 for new accounts |
| Rating pools | Separate for each time control | Separate for each time control |
| Cost | Free tier with premium options | Completely free and open source |
| Rating deflation | Generally lower numbers | Generally higher numbers |
How to Compare Your Ratings
There is no perfect conversion formula, but a rough guideline is that your Lichess blitz rating minus 200 to 400 points approximates your Chess.com blitz rating. The gap tends to be larger at lower ratings and smaller at higher ratings.
Remember that even within the same platform, your rating will differ across time controls. Your bullet rating, blitz rating, and rapid rating reflect different skills and different player pools. It is common to be 200 points stronger in rapid than in bullet.
The healthiest approach is to track your improvement within a single platform and time control over time. That trend tells you everything you need to know about whether you are getting better.
Platform Rating FAQ
Which platform is better for improving?
Both are excellent. Chess.com has more structured lessons and a larger player base. Lichess is free, open source, and has excellent analysis tools. Try both and use the one that keeps you playing and studying.
Should I care about my online rating?
Your rating is a useful benchmark for tracking progress, but do not obsess over it. Focus on learning and playing well. The rating will reflect your improvement over time.
Professor Archer says: Pick the platform you enjoy and focus on improving there. Your real strength is determined by your understanding of chess, not by which website gives you a higher number.
Quick Quiz
Why are Lichess ratings typically higher than Chess.com ratings for the same player?
- Lichess players are weaker - The player strength is comparable. The difference is in the rating system parameters, not the players.
- Lichess starts new accounts at 1500 while Chess.com starts lower (Correct) - Correct. The higher starting point on Lichess shifts the entire rating distribution upward compared to Chess.com.
- Chess.com intentionally deflates ratings - Chess.com does not intentionally deflate ratings. The difference comes from different starting points and system parameters.
- Lichess games are easier - The difficulty of opponents depends on your rating, not the platform. Both platforms match you with similarly rated players.