Free Online Bowling Score Calculator
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How to Calculate Your Bowling Score
Bowling scoring rules can seem confusing at first. Here is a quick cheat sheet you can reference while using our bowling score calculator above.
Strike
Knock down all 10 pins on your first throw. Score = 10 + your next 2 throws. Three strikes in a row (“turkey”) scores 30 for the first frame.
Spare
Clear the remaining pins on your second throw. Score = 10 + your next 1 throw. A spare followed by a 7 scores 17 for that frame.
Open Frame
Pins left standing after both throws. Score = first throw + second throw. No bonus. A 4 and 3 simply scores 7.
10th Frame Bonus
Get a strike or spare in the 10th? You earn bonus throws (up to 3 total). No look-ahead — just add all throws together. Max 30 points.
Perfect Game = 300
12 consecutive strikes across all 10 frames. Each frame scores 30 (10 + 10 + 10). Running total: 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, 210, 240, 270, 300. Use our free bowling score calculator above to practice tracking your game.
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Bowling Scoring Questions
How is a strike scored in bowling?
A strike (all 10 pins on the first throw) scores 10 plus the number of pins knocked down on the next two throws. For example, if you throw a strike then knock down 7 and 2, that frame scores 19. Two consecutive strikes followed by a 5 gives the first frame 25 points.
How is a spare scored in bowling?
A spare (all remaining pins on the second throw) scores 10 plus the number of pins knocked down on the next one throw. If you throw a spare and then knock down 8 on the next ball, that frame scores 18.
How does the 10th frame work?
In the 10th frame, you get a bonus throw if you roll a strike or spare. If you get a strike on the first throw, you get two more throws. If you get a spare on the first two throws, you get one more throw. The 10th frame can score a maximum of 30 (three strikes). There is no look-ahead bonus — you simply add all throws in the 10th frame.
What is a perfect game in bowling?
A perfect game is a score of 300 — 12 consecutive strikes across all frames. Frames 1 through 9 each score 30 (strike + two more strikes), and the 10th frame uses three strikes totaling 30. The running total: 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, 210, 240, 270, 300.
What is the maximum bowling score?
The maximum score in bowling is 300, called a perfect game. It requires a strike on every throw — 12 total strikes (one per frame plus two bonus balls in the 10th frame).
How do I calculate my bowling average?
Your bowling average is your total pins divided by the number of games played. For example, 10 games totaling 1,520 pins gives an average of 152. Use our Bowling Average Calculator for an easy way to track this.
What does a gutter ball count as in bowling?
A gutter ball counts as zero pins. It uses one of your allotted throws for that frame. If you throw a gutter ball on the first throw, you have one throw remaining to knock down all 10 pins for a spare.