Gymnastics 101

The final score adds difficulty (D) and execution (E), then subtracts any separate penalties. E starts at 10.00; faults in technique, execution and, where applicable, artistry reduce it.

On bars, beam and floor, D combines credited difficulty, composition requirements, connections and bonuses. On vault, the vault performed has an assigned difficulty value. The final score is therefore not capped at 10.

In this invented example, 1.80 in E deductions leaves 8.20 for execution. A separate 0.10 penalty is then subtracted from D plus E. It is not another deduction from the E-score.

Watch the routine

45s

Rebeca Andrade · bars · Antwerp 2023

Source: World Gymnastics Channel · Rules of the time (2023)

Rebeca Andrade

Because the total score decides the ranking. A fall normally costs 1.00 in execution under the current rules. Higher credited difficulty can still outweigh that loss when two routines are compared.

A fall can also affect credited skills or connections; other execution faults still count. This is not a guarantee that the harder routine will win.

In our fictional comparison, A’s E-score already includes the fall. Her 13.800 narrowly beats B’s 13.700. Do not subtract another point from A’s total: that would count the same fall twice. Neither routine has a separate penalty in this example.

Watch the routine

31s

Simone Biles · vault · Doha 2018

Source: USA Gymnastics · Rules of the time (2018)

In the all-around, one gymnast adds her scores on all four apparatus: vault, bars, beam and floor. An apparatus final awards the title on one apparatus; vault requires two vaults.

The team final is a shared result. At Worlds 2026, three gymnasts compete on each apparatus for each team, and all three scores count. A team member does not have to perform on every apparatus.

Qualification determines who reaches these finals. Its scores do not carry over into the finals at these Worlds. A strong qualifying total earns a place, not a head start in the medal competition.

Watch the routine

117s

Rebeca Andrade · team-final floor · Antwerp 2023

Source: Time Brasil TV · Rules of the time (2023)

Rebeca Andrade

A high qualifying score is not always enough. At Worlds 2026, the all-around final has 24 places and each apparatus final has eight. Both allow at most two gymnasts per national federation.

A federation’s third gymnast can therefore miss a final despite outscoring someone who advances. Her routine has not been marked down afterwards: the restriction applies to final places.

Our invented excerpt shows four gymnasts within the top eight of apparatus qualification. X’s third gymnast is excluded by the two-per-federation limit. Y has not reached that limit in this excerpt. This is a selection illustration, not an actual result.

Watch the routine

51s

Riley McCusker · qualifying bars · Doha 2018

Source: USA Gymnastics · Rules of the time (2018)

The first vault counts for the team and all-around. A gymnast seeking a vault-final place must perform two vaults in qualification. Two are also required in the vault final, and they must belong to different vault groups.

The apparatus result starts with their average, not just the better attempt. A 0.20 bonus can apply when both vaults are completed without a fall and their saltos travel in different directions in the second flight, as defined by the Code.

Our fictional calculation deliberately has no vault bonus. Here, the same gymnast has 14.000 for team or all-around purposes, but 13.800 for vault qualification.

Watch the routine

29s

Simone Biles · vault 1 · Doha 2018

Source: USA Gymnastics · Rules of the time (2018)

Watch the routine

34s

Simone Biles · vault 2 · Doha 2018

Source: USA Gymnastics · Rules of the time (2018)