Since the 2004 Athens Olympics, artistic gymnastics has moved beyond the iconic “perfect 10.” In its place is the open-ended Code of Points (CoP), developed by the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG). This modern scoring system is designed to reward gymnasts for performing more difficult routines while maintaining high expectations for execution, precision, and artistry.
Every four years, the Code of Points is updated, and each Olympic cycle uses the version in effect for that quad. For instance:
- Tokyo 2021 and Paris 2024 followed the 2022–2024 Code
- Los Angeles 2028 will use the new 2025–2028 Code
While the apparatus differ between Women’s Artistic Gymnastics (WAG) and Men’s Artistic Gymnastics (MAG), the scoring framework remains the same:
FINAL SCORE = Difficulty (D) + Execution (E) – Neutral Penalties
There is no theoretical maximum score under this system. The D score is open-ended, allowing gymnasts to increase it by performing harder elements. The E score, however, always starts at a perfect 10.0, with deductions applied for errors in form, control, posture, and rhythm.
The Difficulty Score (D Score)
The D score represents the technical complexity and risk of a routine. It’s one of the two main components of a gymnast’s final score and has no upper limit, encouraging gymnasts to continually push the boundaries of innovation.
1. Counting Elements
Each routine includes a sequence of skills, but only the most difficult elements are counted toward the D score:
- WAG (Women): Judges count the eight most valuable elements, including the dismount.
- MAG (Men): Judges count the ten most valuable elements, also including the dismount.
Each skill is assigned a letter value:
- A = 0.1
- B = 0.2
- C = 0.3
- …
- J = 1.0 (introduced in the 2025–2028 Code)
The more advanced the skills, the higher the potential D score.
2. Composition Requirements (CR)
To ensure well-rounded routines, gymnasts must fulfill four event-specific requirements, each worth 0.5 points, for a maximum of 2.0 points:
- WAG example (Balance Beam):
- Acrobatic series
- Leap or jump with 180° split
- Full turn or jump turn
- Minimum B-level dismount
- MAG uses Element Groups (EG) instead of CRs, also worth 0.5 each.
On parallel bars, for instance, a gymnast must include:- Support swings
- Flight elements
- Upper-arm skills
- Dismount
Missing these elements can cost up to 2.0 points.
3. Connection Value (CV)
Routines that include back-to-back high-difficulty skills without pauses earn connection bonuses ranging from +0.1 to +0.4. These bonuses reward both risk and rhythm.
Common combinations:
- Back handspring to layout on beam
- Dance-acro sequences on floor
- Flight-to-flight releases on high bar
The 2025–2028 Code increased CV bonuses for:
- High bar releases (MAG)
- Dance-to-acro links (WAG floor)
These updates encourage fluid, continuous movement—technically challenging and more compelling to watch.
4. Vault Scoring Is Unique
Unlike other apparatus, vault routines use fixed D scores assigned to each vault in FIG’s Table of Elements. Gymnasts do not build difficulty from multiple skills.
- In team and all-around competitions: one vault is performed
- In vault finals: two different vaults are required, and the final score is the average
💡 Example: Simone Biles’ Yurchenko double-pike carries a D score of 6.4, the highest among women’s vaults.
Vault rewards power, precision, and clean execution, but it does not allow stacking skills to increase difficulty.
>> Read more about: How the Difficulty Score Is Calculated in Gymnastic
Execution Score (E Score)
The E score evaluates how well the routine is performed. All gymnasts begin with a 10.0 E score, and judges apply deductions for technical, aesthetic, and artistic errors.
How It Works:
- 5 E-panel judges score each routine
- The highest and lowest scores are dropped
- The average of the remaining three is calculated and rounded to the nearest 0.01
This format helps reduce bias and ensures fairness.
Standard Execution Deductions:
| Category | Examples | Deduction Range |
|---|---|---|
| Technical Form | Bent knees, flexed feet, leg separation | –0.1 to –0.5 |
| Amplitude & Posture | Piked handstands, low releases, poor alignment | –0.1 to –0.5 |
| Falls | Off apparatus or to the mat | –1.0 (flat) |
| Artistry & Rhythm (WAG only) | Pauses, poor choreography, lack of expression | –0.1 to –0.3 |
New in the 2025–2028 Code: posture and amplitude deductions are now additive, not mutually exclusive. A gymnast can receive both for a low and poorly aligned skill, reinforcing stricter performance expectations.
>> Read more about: How the Execution Score Is Calculated in Gymnastic
The Role of Artistry (WAG Only)
In Women’s Artistic Gymnastics, beam and floor routines are judged for artistic presentation. Deductions apply for:
- Lack of fluidity
- Robotic transitions
- Poor interpretation of music
Routines that blend athleticism with expressive choreography tend to score higher. Top athletes must not only execute with precision but also perform with emotion and elegance.
Neutral Penalties
The head Judge applies neutral deductions that are unrelated to skill execution. These penalties are based on rule infractions and are non-negotiable—inquiries are not allowed.
Common Neutral Deductions:
| Infraction | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Stepping out of bounds (floor/vault) | –0.1 (touch), –0.3 (full foot) |
| Time violations (beam/floor) | –0.1 |
| Improper attire or jewelry | –0.3 |
| Coach assistance or interference | –0.5 |
| Incorrect apparatus setup or entry | –0.3 to –0.5 |
Even small infractions can make the difference between standing on the podium or not.
>> Read more about: What Is a Neutral Deduction in Gymnastics?
Worked Example: Paris 2024 Women’s Floor Final
To understand how artistic gymnastics scoring plays out in real Olympic routines, consider this example from the Paris 2024 Women’s Floor Final.
The gymnast constructed a routine with the following components:
- Counted Skills: 5.3
- Composition Requirements: +2.0
- Connection Bonuses: +0.6
→ D Score = 5.3 + 2.0 + 0.6 = 7.9
The E-panel judges, after dropping the highest and lowest scores and averaging the middle three, arrived at an E Score of 8.433. There were no neutral deductions, meaning the gymnast stayed in bounds and complied with all technical regulations.
Final Score = 7.9 (D) + 8.433 (E) – 0 (Neutral) = 16.333
Source: theguardian.com
Olympic Competition Rounds & How Scores Are Used
Artistic gymnastics at the Olympics unfolds over four distinct rounds, each with a specific purpose. One major rule adds drama: all scores reset between rounds. A gymnast who barely qualifies for finals can still walk away with gold—while a top qualifier can lose everything with a single mistake.
Qualification Round
This is the gateway to all finals. Twelve national teams compete to qualify the top 8 for the Team Final. Around 98 gymnasts compete for 24 spots in the All-Around Final, and roughly 60 compete per apparatus to earn 8 spots in each Apparatus Final. Only two gymnasts per country (NOC) may advance to any final.
Team Final
In the “3-up, 3-count” format, each of the 8 qualifying teams sends 3 gymnasts per apparatus, and all 3 scores count. With no margin for error, one fall can cost an entire team the podium.
All-Around Final
The top 24 gymnasts from qualification compete across four events (WAG) or six (MAG). The gymnast with the highest combined score wins. With scores reset, consistency is the key to victory.
Apparatus Finals
The top 8 per apparatus from qualification (2 per country max) compete in one routine (or two vaults). The highest score wins. These high-stakes, single-chance events often produce the most thrilling Olympic moments.
Tie-Breaking at the Games
When ties happen, there’s a strict order for breaking them:
- Higher E-score wins
- If tied, higher D-score wins
- Still tied? Judges compare individual E-panel scores—starting with the highest remaining, then next, until a difference is found
- In vault finals, the gymnast with the highest single vault score prevails before the steps above
Only when all options are exhausted are medals officially shared.
What Changed for the 2025–2028 Code—and Why It Matters for LA 2028
The 2025–2028 Code of Points brings targeted updates that encourage greater risk and smoother execution—shaping strategy for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
- J-Valued Skills (worth 1.0 point) now reward boundary-pushing tumbling and high bar releases.
- Increased Connection Bonuses encourage more daring combos, especially on men’s high bar.
- Simplified Artistry Rules: Any pause longer than 2 seconds on beam or floor now triggers a flat –0.1 deduction.
These changes mean that while execution remains critical, athletes who take smart risks can gain faster under the new system.
Source: gymnastics.sport, nbcolympics.com
