What goes into the difficulty score in gymnastics?
B · Beginner · Scoring · 3 of 6The eight most difficult elements in the exercise, each worth from 0.1 for an A to 1.0 for a J. On top of that come points for showing the required types of movement and for linking hard elements together without a pause. A repeated element earns nothing the second time.
How it works
- Element values: "A = 0.10" up to "J = 1.00", in steps of 0.10.
- Women, how many: "The maximum 8 highest DV including the dismount are counted" on bars, beam and floor.
- Men, how many: eight elements, "the best 7" plus the dismount, with at most four from the same element group.
- No repeats: the same element "will receive DV only one time in an exercise".
- Women's composition requirements: up to 2.00 points for showing the required types of element on each apparatus.
- Men's element groups: each of the groups shown is worth 0.5 if met with a D element or harder, and 0.3 with an A, B or C.
- Connection value: in the women's code, 0.10 or 0.20 for linking listed elements directly.
- Direct means direct: no stop, no extra step, no touch of the foot on the beam and no loss of balance between the two.
- Women's dismount bonus: 0.20 for a dismount of D value or higher, done without a fall.
- Men's dismount: every exercise must end with one. Its value counts again as its element group value, except on floor.
- Must be done properly: an element not performed as described may be given a lower value or none.
- New elements: a new element can be submitted and, once performed and confirmed, may be named after the gymnast.
The glossary has the D score, the difficulty value, the composition requirements, the element group, the connection value, the dismount bonus and the non-recognition entry.
Tricky cases
A gymnast performs ten difficult elements. Do all ten count?
No. Only the eight with the highest values count, including the dismount.
A gymnast repeats their best element. Does it count twice?
No. An element receives its value once in an exercise.
A gymnast pauses for balance between two linked elements on the beam. Is the connection credited?
No. A lack of balance or a stop between the elements means the connection is not direct.
A leap does not reach the required split. Does it still count?
It depends on how short it falls. It may be recognised as a different, easier element, given one value lower or given no value.
Why the rule exists
Counting only eight elements stops an exercise becoming a list of everything a gymnast can do. The requirement points make sure it is not eight versions of the same trick. Connection points reward the hardest thing of all, which is doing difficult elements one straight after another.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Women | Eight elements, up to 2.00 for composition, connection value, 0.20 dismount bonus | FIG WAG 7.1 to 7.4 |
| Men | Seven elements plus the dismount, element groups at 0.5 or 0.3 | FIG MAG 6.1; FIG MAG 7.2 |
| Vault | One listed value for the whole vault | FIG WAG 7.1; FIG MAG 13.2.2 |
| Indirect connections | Allowed only in acrobatic series on the women's floor | FIG WAG 7.4.1 |
From the rule book
Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique, Code of Points 2025-2028, WAG section 7 and MAG articles 6.1, 7.1 and 7.2. Checked 14 October 2026. Official documents: 2025-2028 Code of Points, Women's Artistic Gymnastics and Men's Artistic Gymnastics (PDF).