Get Official: How to Get a DUPR Rating in 5 Easy Steps

Are you looking to take your pickleball game to the next level? Getting your DUPR rating (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) is the easiest way to track your skill level and play against similarly rated players. It’s the gold standard for pickleball ratings—trusted, accurate, and widely adopted across the pickleball community. So, how do you get a DUPR rating in pickleball? That’s what we’re here to talk about today.

At 11 PICKLES, we prioritize what makes pickleball so special in the first place: positivity, inclusivity, and community. The game isn’t just about competition; it’s about connection, movement, and most importantly—having fun.

Why DUPR Ratings Matter

Pickleball’s popularity is skyrocketing. Between 2020 and 2023, participation more than tripled—and it’s not slowing down anytime soon. With so many new players hitting the courts, it’s more important than ever to have a reliable way to measure your skill and find the right competition.

While there’s no one right answer for how to be good at pickleball, having a DUPR rating puts you on the right track. Whether you’re new to the game or a seasoned player, it helps you:

"Mastering key skills like dinking can also elevate your game. Learn what is dinking in pickleball and why it’s an essential strategy for controlling the court."

• Track your progress
• Compete against similarly skilled opponents
• Push your game to the next level

What You’ll Learn

In this guide, we’ll cover:

• What DUPR is and why it’s essential
• How to get your DUPR rating (step-by-step)
• Tips for improving your rating over time

Whether you’re a weekend warrior or you just picked up a paddle, understanding DUPR will help you get more out of the game. Let’s get into it!

What is a DUPR Rating?

DUPR is a widely adopted global pickleball rating system that helps players assess their skills and compare themselves to other rated players. The founder of the Major League Pickleball (MLP) organization, Steve Kuhn, developed this system in 2021, and it has quickly become the standard way to rate pickleball players across the globe.

What makes DUPR so effective? It pulls data from league play, tournaments, and even casual games, giving players an accurate, well-rounded view of their skill level. You can start tracking your DUPR rating after just one game—and the more you play, the sharper your rating gets. All you need to do is show up, play, and log those scores.

Key Features of DUPR Rating System

The DUPR system is built on three foundational pieces: accuracy, dynamism, and accessibility:

• Accuracy: Your DUPR rating is determined by advanced algorithms that analyze data from matches.
• Dynamism: Anyone can update their ratings whenever they want, ensuring the DUPR system is reflecting players’ progression over time in a timely manner.
• Accessibility: The DUPR platform and app are completely free to use. Any pickleball players can access their ratings 

By focusing on these aspects, the DUPR system is able to provide accurate, real-time data about pickleball players of all ages and levels across the globe. 

DUPR Rating Levels

DUPR is designed for players at every skill level. You can be rated into four main categories: novice, intermediate, advanced, and professional. Your rating will change consistently with the number of games you play, becoming more and more accurate as you get more matches under your belt. The ratings for the DUPR system are organized as followed:

• Novice: 2.000-2.999
• Intermediate: 3.000-3.999
• Advanced: 4.000-4.999
• Professional: 5.000-8.000

How Does the DUPR Rating System Work?

The DUPR system is built on an algorithm that rates your performance against other players and relies on data collection to run smoothly. By collecting data from pickleball matches and rating players based on match results, DUPR calculates a four-digit rating that changes based on the matches you play. The system then provides a continuous feedback loop that keeps ratings accurate and reflective of a player’s current skill level over time.

Determining DUPR Scores

Several factors influence your DUPR rating. Here’s a quick breakdown:

1. Match Outcome: Wins and losses have the biggest impact. Beating a higher-rated opponent boosts your rating significantly, while losing to a lower-rated player can bring it down. If you’re new to the game or want to brush up on your knowledge, check out our comprehensive guide on pickleball rules for dummies to ensure you’re playing by the book.
2. Opponent’s Rating: The skill level of your opponent matters. For example, winning against an advanced player affects your score more than defeating a novice.
3. Margin of Victory/Defeat: It’s not just about winning; how much you win (or lose) by also counts. A close loss to a strong player can improve your rating more than an easy win over a weaker one.
4. Type of Match: DUPR weighs matches differently. Tournament play carries more weight than recreational games or league matches, so record everything accurately.
5. Statistical Modeling: DUPR’s algorithm uses advanced modeling to ensure ratings are fair and precise.

Why Does It Matter?

The DUPR system goes beyond tournaments, considering all types of matches to give you the most accurate, up-to-date rating possible. Whether you’re playing casually with friends, grinding through league play, or competing in big tournaments, every game counts.

In short: Play often, log your results, and let the DUPR system do the rest.

DUPR vs. Other Rating Systems

When it comes to pickleball ratings, DUPR isn’t the only option. The other primary system is the USA Pickleball Tournament Player Ratings (UTPR). While both have their strengths, DUPR offers a more universal and flexible approach.

Here’s how DUPR stacks up against UTPR:

Why DUPR Wins for Most Players

DUPR is the clear choice if you’re looking for a universal rating system that:

• Tracks all types of play—recreational, league, and tournament matches
• Provides one score for both singles and doubles play
• Updates continuously to reflect your progress in real-time

UTPR, on the other hand, works best for those focused strictly on U.S. tournament competition. It’s updated only after sanctioned events, and ratings are broken out into separate scores for singles, doubles, and mixed doubles.

For most players, DUPR is more versatile, accessible, and relevant to everyday play.

How to Get a DUPR Rating

We’ve given you a lot of background on the DUPR system. Now, let’s talk about what you need to do to start benefiting from it. The process of how to get a DUPR rating is simple and straightforward. We’ve summarized what you should do in five easy steps:

1. Create a free DUPR account
2. Play pickleball
3. Verify & submit scores
4. Await rating calculations
5. Update Progress Regularly 

Create a Free DUPR Account

Setting up your DUPR account is quick and easy. Here’s what to do:

• Go to the website or download the DUPR app for iOs or Android or visit the official website.
• Sign up with your information and follow the setup instructions.
• Verify your account (it only takes a moment), and you’re good to go!

Once your account is ready, you can start logging matches and building your rating.

Play Pickleball & Record Matches

Time to hit the courts! DUPR includes all types of play, so record results from:

• Recreational games with friends
• League matches
• Tournament play

To build and improve your rating faster:

• Play against rated players as often as possible.
• Compete in official matches when you can.
• Challenge yourself against stronger opponents—playing well against high-level players can boost your rating significantly.

Can’t always make it to the courts? No problem. Check out our guide on pickleball at home for creative ways to practice your skills and track your progress, even in your own backyard.

Verify & Submit Scores

 After finishing a match, follow these steps to submit results:

1. Enter the match details in your DUPR account.
2. Confirm the scores with your opponents to avoid mistakes.
3. Submit the results for verification.

DUPR will notify all match participants to verify the score. Once verified, the system processes the data and updates your ratings accordingly.

Await Rating Calculations

Once you submit the data to factor into your DUPR score, it may take a few days to update fully in the system. The exact time it will take depends on how quickly the algorithm can process the match details. Verifying scores with your opponents and ensuring that all participants approve the match will help move things along more quickly, too.

Update Progress Regularly

The key to an accurate DUPR rating? Consistency.

• Log your match results as soon as the game ends.
• Keep your account updated in real time using the app or website.

The more matches you play and submit, the more accurate and reflective your rating will be.

Benefits of Having a DUPR Rating for Pickleball

At its core, DUPR provides a universal standard for pickleball, giving players a definitive way to assess their skill level and track their progress over time. Moreover, players can set up balanced matches against players of a similar skill level. On a personal level, these are already huge advantages. 

That said, this rating system has also revolutionized the sport of pickleball as a whole. By providing a standard for player ratings, organizations are able to ensure more even competition in tournaments. In addition to improving tournament structure and seeding, this type of rating promotes inclusivity on a global scale. By providing a global benchmark and displaying everyone’s ratings, players from all around the world can connect with each other.

How to Use Your DUPR Rating

So, you’ve got your DUPR rating—now what?

1. Find the Right Matches: Play against opponents at your skill level for balanced, competitive games.
2. Enter Tournaments: Your DUPR rating ensures you’re seeded properly, so you’ll compete against players at the right level.
3. Track Your Progress: Even if tournaments aren’t your thing, DUPR gives you a way to measure your improvement over time and push your limits.

Whether you’re playing for fun or working toward a goal, your DUPR score helps you level up your game.

DUPR Players

If you’re serious about improving your DUPR rating, here are pro-level tips to get the most out of it:

• Challenge Higher-Rated Players: Playing (and even losing) against stronger opponents can boost your rating faster than easy wins.
• Focus on Margin of Victory/Defeat: A close loss to a high-level player can help your score more than a blowout win against a weaker one.
• Attend DUPR-Sponsored Events: Keep an eye out for DUPR-hosted events on the app or website to meet other players, learn new skills, and expand your pickleball community.

Your DUPR rating is more than a measure of skill—it’s a tool for growth. Use it to challenge yourself, connect with players worldwide, and keep pushing your game to the next level.

Ready to see where you stack up? Grab your paddle, hit the courts, and let your DUPR rating do the talking.

FAQs About How to Get a DUPR Rating

Did we miss anything? Check out these frequently asked questions before you go:

How accurate is the DUPR rating compared to other systems?

DUPR is more accurate than self-ratings and is more consistent than UTPR ratings because they can be updated on to go as you continue to play and record games. Moreover, DUPR takes league, recreational, and tournament play into account, giving players a well-rounded rating.

Do I need to pay to maintain my DUPR rating?

No, creating a DUPR account and updating it is completely free for anyone.

What happens if my opponents don’t have a DUPR rating?

Every match counts toward your DUPR rating, even if you’re playing against an unrated player. However, the rating of your opponent can impact your rating, so playing against an unrated player may impact how much your DUPR rating changes. Additionally, you may have a wider margin of error when it comes to balanced matchmaking, but that shouldn’t be a huge concern, especially if you’re playing for fun.

If you’re just starting out, mastering the basics like serving can give you a competitive edge. Check out our guide on how to serve in pickleball for beginners to set the foundation for strong gameplay.

How do I improve my DUPR rating faster?

Signing up for tournaments and leagues is highly favored by DUPR, which makes it your ticket to improving your DUPR rating. It also helps to compete against opponents that are slightly better than you because the DUPR formula takes other players’ ratings into account. When it comes to playing doubles, be sure your partner’s got a strong score, too!

What’s the difference between DUPR and other pickleball rating systems?

DUPR is a global rating system that factors in your tournament, league, and recreational pickleball matches to create a score for you. UTPR (USA Pickleball Tournament Player Ratings) rates players only in the United States based solely on their tournament results.

DUPR ratings are dynamic and can be updated regularly whereas UTPR ratings are updated periodically to reflect tournament performance. Moreover, the scoring itself is quite different between the two rating systems.

You Know How to Get a DUPR Rating. What’s Next?

Now that you know how to get a DUPR rating, getting started is simple! Thanks to this article, you have a step-by-step guide for how to get your account up and running, so you can start recording your games and become the professional pickler you always wanted to be… Or perhaps the above-average pickleball player you always wanted to be. 

Whatever your goals, tracking your progress is a great way to set personal goals and get better at a sport you love. Plus, you get a chance to connect with other pickleball players, and you can share more experiences with like-minded—and similarly ranked—players.

In the meantime, stay connected with the 11 PICKLES community for epic content and merch that slaps harder than your forehand. Speaking of merch, we’ve got new products and apparel dropping soon, so join our waitlist and stay tuned! 

Beyond cool swag, you can count on us to deliver helpful tips ranging from how to keep the ball low in pickleball to avoiding pickleball knee pain and everything in between. No matter where you’re at in your pickleball journey, you’ve got a place in our community. Stay tuned!

‍