Artistic gymnastics is judged on difficulty and execution. Each routine earns a D-score for difficulty and an E-score for execution, which starts at 10.0 and loses points for errors. The two are added together, and any neutral penalties are subtracted to give the final score. Women compete on four apparatus: vault, uneven bars, balance beam and floor exercise. Men compete on six: floor exercise, pommel horse, still rings, vault, parallel bars and horizontal bar. International rules are set by the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG) in the Code of Points, which is updated in regular cycles, while national programs may use different rules at developmental levels.
The apparatus
| Women (Olympic order) | Men (Olympic order) |
|---|---|
| Vault | Floor exercise |
| Uneven bars | Pommel horse |
| Balance beam | Still rings |
| Floor exercise | Vault |
| Parallel bars | |
| Horizontal (high) bar |
Each apparatus tests different qualities. Vault demands explosive power and precise landings. Bars and high bar reward swing, release moves and dismounts. Beam requires balance and control. Floor combines tumbling with dance for women and strength elements for men. Pommel horse requires continuous circular swings, while rings test strength and stillness in holds.
How scoring works
| Score component | What it measures |
|---|---|
| D-score (difficulty) | Value of the counting skills, connection bonuses and composition requirements |
| E-score (execution) | Starts at 10.0; deductions for form, technique, landings and, where relevant, artistry |
| Neutral penalties | Deductions for out of bounds, time violations, attire issues and other infractions |
| Final score | D-score plus E-score, minus penalties |
Since 2006, the D-score has been open-ended, meaning there is no maximum. Harder routines earn higher difficulty values, but they also carry greater risk of execution errors. Judges are split into panels: difficulty judges calculate the D-score, and execution judges independently assess deductions. In many competitions, the highest and lowest execution scores are dropped, and the remaining scores are averaged to reduce the effect of any single judge.
Common deductions
| Error | Typical deduction |
|---|---|
| Fall | 1.0 |
| Bent arms or legs, poor form | 0.1 to 0.5 depending on severity |
| Steps on landing | 0.1 per step, up to a limit |
| Large step or jump on landing | 0.3 |
| Out of bounds on floor or vault | Neutral penalty |
| Time violations | Neutral penalty |
Exact deduction values vary by apparatus and are defined in the current Code of Points. Rules note: rules and apparatus details here are based on the FIG Code of Points and Apparatus Norms; national programs such as USA Gymnastics may apply different rules at developmental levels. Always consult the current official documents.
Rules on each apparatus
Vault: Gymnasts sprint down a runway, hit a springboard and push off a vaulting table. Each vault has a set difficulty value, and execution judges look at the flight, body position and landing. In apparatus finals, gymnasts usually perform two different vaults, and the scores are averaged. Uneven bars and horizontal bar: Routines should flow continuously, combining swings, release moves, pirouettes and a dismount. Extra swings or pauses bring deductions. Balance beam: Routines must include acrobatic and dance elements within a time limit, and wobbles or balance checks are penalized. Floor exercise: Routines must use the whole floor and stay within the boundary lines and time limit. Pommel horse: Men perform continuous circular and scissor movements, touching the horse only with their hands. Still rings: Men combine swing and strength elements, with holds required to be still for a set time, usually around two seconds. Parallel bars: Men perform swings, flight elements and holds along and above the bars.
How judges are selected and trained
International judges must complete FIG judging courses and pass exams for each Code of Points cycle. National federations run similar training programs for judges at domestic levels. Judges learn to identify skills, apply difficulty values and assess deductions consistently. At major events, judging panels are drawn from different countries to promote fairness, and supervisors review scores. In recent years, technology such as judging support systems has been tested to assist human judges in evaluating complex skills.
Inquiries and score reviews
In international competition, coaches can submit an inquiry about a gymnast’s difficulty score if they believe a skill was credited incorrectly. The inquiry must usually be made within a short time after the score is posted, and the review may confirm, raise or lower the D-score. Execution scores are generally not open to inquiry in the same way. National programs may have their own procedures for reviewing scores.
The Code of Points cycle
The FIG updates the Code of Points in cycles that typically align with the Olympic Games. Each new code can change difficulty values, add new skills, adjust composition requirements and refine deductions. Skills are sometimes named after the first gymnast to perform them successfully in a major international competition. Because rules change, coaches and gymnasts review each new code carefully to plan routines that maximize scores.
Competition formats
Major international events, such as the Olympic Games and World Championships, typically include several competitions within the same event. Qualification determines which gymnasts and teams advance. The team final ranks nations using selected scores from team members. The all-around final ranks individual gymnasts on combined scores from every apparatus. Apparatus finals award medals on each individual event. The number of gymnasts per team and how many scores count can vary between competitions and rule cycles, so check the rules for the specific event.
How to understand a gymnastics score step by step
- Look at the D-score to see how difficult the routine was.
- Check the E-score to see how cleanly it was performed.
- Note any penalties, such as stepping out of bounds.
- Add D and E, then subtract penalties for the final score.
- Compare with others on the same apparatus, since typical scores vary by event.
Other key rules
- Attire: Gymnasts must wear regulation competition clothing, such as leotards for women and specific uniforms for men, with rules on jewelry and bandages.
- Warm-up time: Competitors receive a set warm-up period on each apparatus before competing.
- Coach presence: Rules limit when and where coaches can stand or assist, for example during bar routines.
- Age: International senior competition has minimum age rules set by the FIG, which differ for men and women.
- Falls and restarts: After a fall, gymnasts may remount within a set time limit on some apparatus.
Other gymnastics disciplines
Artistic gymnastics is the best known, but the FIG governs several other disciplines, each with its own rules. Rhythmic gymnastics combines dance and apparatus handling with items such as the hoop, ball, clubs and ribbon. Trampoline gymnastics features high, twisting routines on a trampoline. Acrobatic gymnastics involves partnerships performing balances and throws. Aerobic gymnastics combines dynamic movement with music, and parkour has been added as a newer FIG discipline. Each discipline has its own scoring system.
Common misconceptions
- A perfect score is 10. Under the current system, final scores can exceed 10 because difficulty is open-ended.
- Harder routines always win. Execution errors can outweigh extra difficulty.
- All falls cost the same everywhere. Deductions vary by level and program.
- Men and women do the same events. Men compete on six apparatus and women on four.
Frequently asked questions
How is gymnastics scored?
A difficulty score and an execution score are added together, and any penalties are subtracted.
How much is a fall in gymnastics?
Under FIG rules, a fall usually costs 1.0 from the execution score.
How many apparatus do men and women compete on?
Women compete on four apparatus and men compete on six.
