Scoring Basics: How Points Are Calculated

Scoring in Scrabble is straightforward once you understand the two elements: the face value of each tile and the premium squares that multiply those values. This article explains exactly how to calculate your score on every turn.

Step 1: Face Value of Tiles

Every letter tile has a point value printed on it. The blank tile is worth 0 points, even when it represents a high-value letter.

To find the base value of a word, simply add up the face values of all its letters.

Example: PLAY = P(3) + L(1) + A(1) + Y(4) = 9 points

Step 2: Apply Letter Multipliers First

If any tile in your word lands on a Double Letter Score (DLS) or Triple Letter Score (TLS) square, multiply that tile's value before adding it to the word total.

• DLS: That letter counts double.
• TLS: That letter counts triple.

Example: PLAY, where the Y lands on a TLS:

• P(3) + L(1) + A(1) + Y(4×3=12) = 17 points

Step 3: Apply Word Multipliers

After calculating the total including any letter multipliers, apply any Double Word Score (DWS) or Triple Word Score (TWS) squares your word passes through.

• DWS: Multiply the entire word total by 2.
• TWS: Multiply the entire word total by 3.

Example: PLAY, where the P lands on a DWS and the Y lands on a TLS:

1. P(3) + L(1) + A(1) + Y(12) = 17
2. 17 × 2 (DWS) = 34 points

Multiple Multipliers in One Word

If a word covers two DWS squares, the word score is multiplied by 2 twice (effectively ×4). If it covers a DWS and a TWS, the multipliers stack (×2 × ×3 = ×6). Two TWS squares give ×9 — the famous "nine-timer."

Important: Premium squares only apply on the turn they are first covered. Once a square has a tile on it, it no longer multiplies anything in future turns.

Scoring Cross-Words

When your play creates additional words by touching existing tiles perpendicularly, you score points for every new word formed — not just your main word.

Example: CAT is on the board. You play BRAG, where the R extends down from the A in CAT, making CART as a cross-word.

You score:

• BRAG (your main word)
• CART (the cross-word created)

Both words are added to your score for that turn. If any premium squares are covered by your new tiles, they apply to whichever word those tiles belong to.

The 50-Point Bingo Bonus

If you use all 7 tiles from your rack in a single turn, you earn a 50-point bonus on top of the normal score for the word(s) played. This is called a "bingo."

Example: You play PAINTER using all 7 tiles, scoring 28 points from the word + 50 bonus = 78 points for the turn.

Scoring at Game End

When the game ends, final adjustments are made:

1. Each player subtracts the face value of tiles remaining on their rack.
2. If one player went out (emptied their rack), they add the sum of all opponents' remaining tile values to their own score.

Example of end-game adjustment:

• Player A goes out. Player B has tiles worth 14 points remaining.
• Player A adds 14 to their score. Player B subtracts 14 from their score.

Worked Scoring Example

Imagine this situation:

• ZONE is on the board
• You play FROZEN, using the Z already on the board, playing F-R-O-E-N around it
• The F lands on a TLS
• The word FROZEN passes through a DWS

Calculation:

1. New tiles only: F(4×3=12) + R(1) + O(1) + E(1) + N(1) = 16
2. Plus Z already on board: Z(10)
3. Word total before multiplier: 16 + 10 = 26
4. Apply DWS: 26 × 2 = 52 points

Quick Scoring Checklist

Before announcing your score, run through this:

• [ ] Sum face values of all letters in the word
• [ ] Apply any DLS (double that one letter)
• [ ] Apply any TLS (triple that one letter)
• [ ] Apply any DWS (double the whole word)
• [ ] Apply any TWS (triple the whole word)
• [ ] Score any cross-words created
• [ ] Check for the 50-point bingo bonus if you played all 7 tiles

Scoring accurately is a sign of respect for your opponent. Double-check before you announce — mistakes are hard to untangle later.