The Difficulty Score (D-score) measures what a gymnast performs in a routine. It represents the technical content of a routine, separate from how cleanly it is executed. Unlike the Execution Score (E-score), which always starts at 10.0 and deducts for mistakes, the D-score starts at 0.0 and builds upward. The more difficult, varied, and well-constructed the routine, the higher the D-score.
At FIG competitions, the D-score is calculated by a dedicated D-panel, which identifies each element using the FIG Code of Points and credits difficulty, required categories, and eligible bonuses.
What Makes Up the D-Score?
Under the FIG Code of Points (2025–2028), the D-score is built from three components:
- Difficulty Value (DV) – the hardest skills performed
- Composition Requirements (CR) / Element Groups (EG) – required categories
- Connection Value (CV) – bonus for linking skills
Vault is the exception: its D-score comes directly from the vault table and does not include CR or CV.
1. Difficulty Value (DV): Skill Letter Values
Difficulty Value (DV) represents the base difficulty of each individual skill performed in a routine. Every skill listed in the FIG Code of Points is assigned a letter rating, with higher letters indicating more complex, physically demanding, or risky elements.
Each letter corresponds to a fixed numerical value:
| Letter | Value |
|---|---|
| A | 0.1 |
| B | 0.2 |
| C | 0.3 |
| D | 0.4 |
| E | 0.5 |
| F | 0.6 |
| G | 0.7 |
| H | 0.8 |
| I | 0.9 |
| J | 1.0 |
These values form the foundation of the D-score, but they are not added blindly. Only credited elements receive DV credit. Failed, downgraded, or incomplete elements may receive a lower value or no credit at all.
How DV is counted depends on the discipline:
- Women’s Artistic Gymnastics (WAG): Judges count the eight highest-value skills, including the dismount. Any additional skills beyond those eight do not increase the D-score.
- Men’s Artistic Gymnastics (MAG): There is no fixed number of counted skills. The D-score is built from all credited difficulty values performed in the routine, combined with Element Group (EG) requirements. Routine length, execution risk, and EG fulfillment naturally limit how much difficulty can be included.
In both disciplines, higher-letter skills raise the potential D-score, but only when they are performed cleanly enough to receive full credit and when the routine satisfies all required categories.
2. Composition Requirements (CR) / Element Groups (EG)
Beyond individual skill difficulty, gymnastics scoring also rewards variety and balance. This is handled through Composition Requirements (CR) in Women’s Artistic Gymnastics (WAG) and Element Groups (EG) in Men’s Artistic Gymnastics (MAG). While both contribute the same maximum value to the D-score, they work in different ways.
Composition Requirements (CR) — WAG
In WAG, each routine must include four required categories, known as Composition Requirements. Each requirement is worth 0.5 points, for a maximum CR total of 2.0.
These requirements ensure routines include a mix of acrobatic, dance, and turning elements rather than focusing on only one skill type.
Typical WAG Composition Requirements
| Composition Requirement | Description | Value |
|---|---|---|
| CR 1 | Acrobatic element or series | 0.5 |
| CR 2 | Dance element (leap/jump with required split position) | 0.5 |
| CR 3 | Turn on one foot | 0.5 |
| CR 4 | Dismount of sufficient difficulty | 0.5 |
| Total Possible CR | All four requirements met | 2.0 |
Key WAG notes:
- All four CRs must be met to earn the full +2.0
- Missing one CR immediately reduces the D-score by 0.5
- CR points are awarded separately from skill difficulty and connection value
Element Groups (EG) — MAG
MAG uses Element Groups instead of composition requirements. Each apparatus is divided into four element groups, each worth up to 0.5 points, for a maximum EG total of 2.0.
Rather than counting a fixed number of skills, MAG routines must demonstrate variety across different movement families.
Example: High Bar Element Groups
| Element Group | Movement Category | Max Value |
|---|---|---|
| EG I | Long hang swings and turns | 0.5 |
| EG II | Flight elements (release moves) | 0.5 |
| EG III | In-bar or close-bar elements | 0.5 |
| EG IV | Dismount | 0.5 |
| Total Possible EG | All groups represented | 2.0 |
Key MAG notes:
- Each element group must be represented to earn full credit
- Some EGs require D-level or higher skills for the full 0.5
- Repeating similar skills does not replace a missing EG
- Missing an entire EG costs 0.5 points immediately
3. Connection Value (CV): Bonus for Linking Skills
Connection Value (CV) rewards gymnasts for linking difficult skills together without pause. These combinations increase risk, demand greater control, and show advanced routine construction. When performed correctly, they add bonus tenths directly to the D-score.
CV plays a major role in Women’s Artistic Gymnastics (WAG) and a much more limited, apparatus-specific role in Men’s Artistic Gymnastics (MAG).
Connection Value in Women’s Artistic Gymnastics (WAG)
In WAG, CV is one of the main ways gymnasts raise their D-score beyond basic skill difficulty and composition requirements.
A connection earns bonus credit when:
- Skills are performed back-to-back
- There is no hesitation, extra step, or balance check
- The connection meets Code-defined criteria
Common WAG Connection Examples
| Apparatus | Connection Type | Typical Bonus |
|---|---|---|
| Beam | Acro series (e.g., back handspring → layout step-out) | +0.1 to +0.2 |
| Beam | Mixed acro + dance connection | +0.1 |
| Floor | Leap or jump series | +0.1 |
| Floor | Direct tumbling connection | +0.2 or more |
Important WAG notes:
- Not all connections earn bonus, only those listed in the Code
- Poor rhythm, hesitation, or balance checks cancel the CV
- Under the 2025–2028 Code, some bonuses are capped or limited (for example, only one dance connection bonus may count on floor)
Connection Value in Men’s Artistic Gymnastics (MAG)
Connection value plays a much smaller role in MAG than in WAG.
In MAG:
- Most difficulty comes from Element Group (EG) fulfillment and high-value skills
- Connection recognition is limited and apparatus-specific
- Many “connections” affect execution quality rather than adding difficulty
Where CV may appear in MAG
| Apparatus | Connection Context |
|---|---|
| High Bar | Certain release-to-release combinations |
| Parallel Bars | Swing-to-handstand or flight combinations |
| Pommel Horse | Rhythm matters, but CV is rare |
| Still Rings | Connections do not replace required strength holds |
When Connection Value Is Not Applied
Connection value is not awarded on vault, where the D-score comes entirely from the vault table. It is also canceled if a connection includes pauses, extra steps, balance checks, or any visible break in rhythm. In addition, only combinations specifically recognized in the Code of Points are eligible for bonus credit, non-listed or improvised links do not receive connection value.
Why Vault Uses a Different D-Score System
Vault is scored differently from bars, beam, and floor because it is a single skill, not a full routine. While other events involve multiple elements, connections, and required categories, a vault consists of one complete action, from the entry to the block, flight, and landing, all performed in just a few seconds.
Because there are no multiple skills to combine, the Difficulty Score on vault is pre-assigned rather than built during judging. Each vault is listed in the official vault table with a fixed D-score based on its entry type, number of flips and twists, and body position.
Once the gymnast successfully performs a vault that meets the technical requirements, the corresponding table value is applied.
Note: Vault D-scores are pre-assigned and listed in the official FIG Vault Table. The values below are representative examples from the 2025–2028 Code and may vary slightly by exact vault version and technical requirements.
| Vault Group | Vault Description | Typical D-Score (FIG) |
|---|---|---|
| Group I | Handspring 2½ twist off | ~4.00 |
| Group II | Yamashita | ~2.00 |
| Group III | Tsukahara back tuck 1½ | ~4.20 |
| Group III | Tsukahara back tuck 2/1 | ~4.60 |
| Group IV (Yurchenko) | Yurchenko pike 1/1 off | ~4.80 |
| Group IV (Yurchenko) | Yurchenko full layout | ~4.80 |
| Group IV (Yurchenko) | Yurchenko 1½ twist | ~5.20 |
| Group IV (Yurchenko) | Yurchenko double twist | ~5.20–5.40 |
| Group IV (Yurchenko) | Yurchenko double pike | 6.40 (highest) |
Values are approximate based on FIG’s 2025–2028 Vault Value Table
Step-by-Step: How Judges Calculate the D-Score
The Difficulty Score (D-score) is calculated by the D-panel, a group of judges responsible only for identifying and crediting difficulty.
1. Identify Credited Skills
Judges record each element performed. Only skills that meet technical requirements receive credit. Failed or incomplete elements may be downgraded or receive no credit.
2. Select the Counted Elements
- WAG: The 8 highest-valued skills, including the dismount
- MAG: All credited skills contribute, subject to Element Group fulfillment and routine structure
3. Add Skill Difficulty Values (DV)
Each credited skill’s letter value is added to form the DV portion of the D-score.
4. Award Composition Requirements or Element Groups
- WAG: Up to +2.0 from CRs
- MAG: Up to +2.0 from EGs
5. Add Connection and Bonus Value
Eligible connections earn bonus tenths when performed without pauses or balance checks.
6. Special Case: Vault
Vault uses a pre-assigned D-score from the vault table. No CR or CV applies.
7. Confirm the Final D-Score
The completed D-score is combined with the E-score and any neutral deductions to produce the final score.
