Why Is Chess Rated Differently on Different Websites?
Your Chess.com rating says one thing, Lichess says another, and FIDE says something else entirely. Here is why none of them are wrong.
Published 2026-02-01 | Last verified 2026-02-12
Professor Archer says: I have lost count of the number of students who have come to me confused and sometimes frustrated because their ratings differ by hundreds of points across platforms. "Am I a 1400 or a 1700?" they ask. My answer is always the same: you are both. Rating is not an absolute measure of skill. It is a relative ranking within a specific pool of players using a specific calculation method. Comparing ratings across different systems is like comparing temperatures in Celsius and Fahrenheit — the numbers are different, but they are measuring the same thing.
Different Systems, Different Numbers
The core reason ratings differ across platforms is that each platform uses its own rating system with its own parameters. While they all share the basic idea of Elo-style ratings (win, gain points; lose, drop points), the specific calculations, starting ratings, and adjustment factors vary.
Chess.com uses a modified Glicko system with a starting rating that has changed over time. Lichess uses the Glicko-2 system with a starting rating of 1500. FIDE uses the classical Elo system with a starting rating that depends on performance in rated events. These different starting points and calculation methods naturally produce different numbers for the same player.
It is similar to how shoe sizes work differently in the United States, Europe, and the United Kingdom. A person might be a size 10 in the US, a 44 in Europe, and a 9.5 in the UK. Their feet have not changed — only the measurement system.
Rating Pool Composition Matters
Perhaps the biggest factor in rating differences is the composition of the player pool. Each platform attracts a different group of players, and your rating reflects where you stand within that specific group.
Lichess tends to have higher ratings than Chess.com for the same skill level. This is partly because Lichess starts new players at 1500 (distributing more rating points into the system) and partly because the player pools differ in size and composition. A player who is 1500 on Chess.com might be 1700 to 1800 on Lichess.
FIDE ratings tend to be lower than both online platforms for similar skill levels, because FIDE ratings are earned through over-the-board tournament play. The FIDE pool consists primarily of serious competitive players, which means the average strength within the FIDE system is higher. A 1500 FIDE-rated player is typically significantly stronger than a 1500-rated player on most online platforms.
Rating Inflation and Deflation
Over time, the average rating within a system can shift upward (inflation) or downward (deflation). This happens because of how new players enter the system and how rating points are distributed.
When a platform attracts many new players who start at a relatively high provisional rating and then lose games, they inject rating points into the system. The winners absorb these points, pushing the average upward. Conversely, when experienced players leave a platform, they take rating points with them, potentially causing deflation.
This means that a 1200 rating today might not represent the same skill level as a 1200 rating five years ago on the same platform. Rating systems evolve over time, and the numbers must be understood in the context of when and where they were earned.
Time Controls Create Separate Ratings
Even within a single platform, you will have different ratings for different time controls. Your blitz rating, rapid rating, and bullet rating will almost certainly not be the same. This is because different time controls test somewhat different skills.
Rapid chess (typically 10 to 15 minutes per player) rewards calculation and positional understanding. Blitz chess (3 to 5 minutes) emphasises pattern recognition and quick decision-making. Bullet chess (1 to 2 minutes) is heavily influenced by mouse speed, pre-move ability, and the capacity to play on instinct.
Many players have a significant gap between their rapid and blitz ratings. A player who excels at careful calculation might be 1600 in rapid but only 1300 in blitz. A player with quick instincts might be the reverse. Neither rating is more "real" than the other — they measure different dimensions of your chess ability.
Common Questions About Rating Differences
Which platform rating is closest to my "real" strength?
There is no single "real" strength. If pressed, FIDE ratings are the most respected international standard, but they are only available through over-the-board play. Among online platforms, your rating on the site where you play the most games in a standard time control is the most reliable indicator.
How do I convert my rating from one platform to another?
There is no exact conversion formula, but rough guidelines exist. Lichess ratings are typically 200 to 300 points higher than Chess.com for the same player. FIDE ratings tend to be lower than both online platforms. These are approximations that vary by rating range.
Why is my rating higher in one time control than another?
Different time controls test different skills. Rapid chess rewards deep calculation and patience. Blitz rewards quick pattern recognition. Bullet rewards speed and instinct. It is entirely normal to have different strengths across time controls.
Professor Archer says: Focus less on the number and more on the trend. Are you improving on the platform where you play most? That is what matters. The specific number is just a label within that ecosystem, and comparing it to other ecosystems will only cause unnecessary frustration.
Quick Quiz
Why might the same player have a 1500 rating on Chess.com but a 1750 rating on Lichess?
- Because they play better on Lichess - The player's actual skill is the same on both platforms. The difference is in the rating systems and player pools, not the player's performance.
- Because Lichess has easier opponents - The opponents are not necessarily easier. The rating numbers are simply calibrated differently due to different starting ratings, calculation methods, and player pool compositions.
- Because the platforms use different rating systems, starting points, and player pools (Correct) - Correct. Different starting ratings, calculation methods (Glicko vs Glicko-2), and player pool compositions mean the same skill level maps to different numbers on different platforms. It is like different temperature scales measuring the same warmth.
- Because Lichess ratings are inaccurate - Lichess ratings are not inaccurate — they are simply calibrated to a different scale. Within the Lichess ecosystem, the ratings accurately reflect relative skill among Lichess players.