Online Elo is your official chess rating on World Chess. It’s calculated using the Elo system according to FIDE rules, recognized by FIDE, and available to every registered player, free or with a membership.
How is it different from ratings on other platforms?
Many other online platforms, such as Chess.com and Lichess, use the Glicko and Glicko-2 rating systems: their own methods that aren’t recognized by any chess governing body. Online Elo is real Elo, calculated according to FIDE rules.
Which time controls are there?
Your Online Elo is tracked separately for each time control:
Time control | Options |
Bullet | 1+0, 1+1, 1+2, 2+0, 2+1 |
Blitz | 3+0, 3+1, 3+2, 5+0, 5+3, 10+0 |
Rapid | 10+10, 15+0, 15+10, 25+0, 25+10, 45+0 |
Classic | 60, 90, 120 min |
Daily | 1, 3, 7 days per move |
You can earn a rating in all five time controls. Only Bullet, Blitz and Rapid ratings are shown on fide.com and count toward World Chess Titles.
What’s the difference between Elo Rated and Non-rated games?
When you start a game in the lobby, you choose:
Elo Rated counts toward your Online Elo.
Non-rated is casual play. It doesn’t affect your rating, but the game is still saved in your game history.
In your game list, rated games are marked with the FIDE icon.
How do I get my Online Elo?
Register on World Chess on the web, iOS or Android, and start playing Elo Rated games. Your initial rating is set after your first 5 rated games. See How to get your initial Online Elo rating?
Does my Online Elo appear on fide.com?
Yes, your Bullet, Blitz and Rapid ratings do, if you have a Platinum or Black membership and a connected FIDE ID. See Can I see my World Chess Title and rating on fide.com?
Without a membership, your Online Elo is shown on your World Chess profile only.
What happened to my FOA Rating / World Chess Rating?
It’s now your Online Elo. The names FOA Rating and World Chess Rating have been retired: they referred to the same calculation.
If you had both an FOA Rating and a World Chess Rating, they were merged using the higher of the two. Nothing was lost: your rating, game history and titles are all intact.