Lichess and Chess.com numbers differ because each site runs its own scale, with its own player pool, opening values and calculation method. A score on one site is not a conversion of the other, so the same player can see quite different figures on each.
Why the Numbers Do Not Match
- Different pools: each site has its own mix of players, from casual beginners to titled masters. A number only means something compared with the people in that pool.
- Different systems: both sites use variations of the Glicko family of methods, and details such as adjustment speed and uncertainty settings differ. Check each site’s help pages for the current description.
- Different opening values: new accounts begin at different values, and the early games move a score a lot.
- Different time formats: bullet, blitz, rapid and classical each have their own separate score, and the names or limits of these categories can vary between sites.
- Different features: puzzles, matchmaking and rematch habits shape who you play, and so how your score moves.
The Common Pattern
Many players report that one site tends to show higher figures than the other for the same person. That is a general impression, not a rule, and the gap depends on the format and level. We do not give a conversion number here, because any fixed number would be misleading.
How to Compare Your Level Fairly
- Compare the same time format on both sites, such as rapid with rapid.
- Play a decent number of games on each before drawing conclusions, since new scores are uncertain.
- Look at your results against opponents of similar numbers, not the number itself.
- Use over-the-board results as a separate scale. Tournament scores are a different system again.
What to Do With the Difference
- Pick one site as your main tracker, so your progress is measured on a single scale.
- Set goals as improvements on that scale, such as reaching a new personal best.
- Avoid bragging or worrying over cross-site comparisons.
- Focus on habits that help on any scale: tactics practice, checking your own games without an engine first, and endgame basics.
Remember that a number is only a summary of recent results. A bad week can lower it, and a good week can lift it, so look at trends across many games before you draw a conclusion about your level.
FAQ
Is there an official conversion between the two?
No official conversion exists. Fan-made tables circulate, but they are rough guides, so treat them with caution.
Which site is more accurate?
Neither is more correct. Each is a fair measure inside its own pool, and the number is meaningful mainly within that pool.
The Short Version
The two sites use different pools, methods and categories, so their numbers will not match. Compare like with like, choose one site as your main yardstick, and focus on getting better, not on cross-site arithmetic.
