DUPR: The Ultimate Guide

If you've spent any time in the pickleball community, you've probably heard someone ask, "What's your DUPR?" Whether you're just picking up a paddle for the first time or you're eyeing your first tournament, understanding DUPR is essential for finding fair matches, tracking your progress, and proving you've got game.

So what exactly is DUPR, how does it work, and most importantly—how do you get one? Let's break it all down.

What Is DUPR?

DUPR stands for Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating. It's a global rating system developed in 2021 by Steve Kuhn, the founder of Major League Pickleball (MLP). Think of it as your pickleball identity card—a single number that tells everyone exactly where you stand skill-wise, no matter where you play in the world.

Unlike old-school rating systems that require you to compete in sanctioned tournaments, DUPR rates all players—recreational, competitive, tournament players, beginners, and pros—on the same universal scale. That means whether you're smashing on a court in Birmingham or dinking in Brooklyn, your rating reflects your true ability.

Who Uses DUPR?

DUPR is the official rating system for the PPA Tour, Major League Pickleball (MLP), and the United Pickleball Association (UPA). Basically, if you want to compete at any serious level, you'll need a DUPR rating.

But it's not just for pros. Thousands of clubs, recreational groups, and local leagues worldwide use DUPR to organize fair matches, run tournaments, and help players find opponents at their skill level.

How Does DUPR Work?

The Rating Scale

DUPR ratings range from 2.000 to 8.000, with all new players starting as NR (Not Rated). Here's what the numbers mean:

📊 DUPR SKILL LEVEL BREAKDOWN:

Rating Skill Level Description
2.00 - 2.99 Beginner Just learning the basics—working on consistency, understanding scoring, and developing fundamental shots like serves and returns.
3.00 - 3.99 Intermediate Solid rally skills, improving shot control, starting to develop strategy and court positioning. Can hold longer rallies and execute basic dinks.
4.00 - 4.99 Advanced Strong tactical awareness, consistent execution of advanced shots (drives, drops, lobs), excellent court positioning, and ability to read opponents.
5.00 - 8.00 Elite/Professional Tournament-level players competing at the highest levels. As of March 2025, Ben Johns leads men's ratings at 7.218-7.254, while Anna Leigh Waters tops women's at 6.410-6.561.

How Your Rating Is Calculated

DUPR uses an algorithm that analyzes your last 30 singles matches or 60 doubles matches. The system considers three key factors:

  1. Match Outcome – Did you win or lose? Winning increases your rating, losing decreases it.
  2. Opponent's Rating – If you beat a higher-rated opponent, your rating jumps significantly. Lose to a lower-rated player? Your rating takes a hit.
  3. Type of Result – Was this a self-posted rec game, a league match, or a sanctioned tournament? Tournament results carry more weight.

The beauty of DUPR? Your rating updates automatically after every verified match, giving you real-time feedback on your performance.

How to Get a DUPR Rating

Getting rated is easier than you think. You've got two main options:

Option 1: Play Matches & Log Results (FREE)

Just sign up for a tournament or rec play event, play your matches, and once results are uploaded, the DUPR algorithm calculates your rating. You can also self-report matches through the app.

You only need ONE official match to get your initial DUPR rating. That's it! If you're playing with other unrated players, all of you will get retroactively rated once any one of you plays against someone with an existing rating. This is what DUPR calls "connectivity".

Here's how:

  1. Download the DUPR app (more on this below)
  2. Create your free account
  3. Play a match (tournament, league, or rec play)
  4. Log the result in the app
  5. Your opponent verifies the score via email
  6. Boom—you're rated!

Option 2: Get Rated by a DUPR Coach (FAST TRACK)

Need a rating quickly? Download the free MyDUPR Coach app and get rated by a certified DUPR Coach remotely or in-person. Submit a video of your gameplay, and a coach will assess your skills and assign you an official DUPR rating. This option is perfect if you want to jump into tournaments ASAP without logging matches first.

Where to Download the DUPR App

The DUPR app is completely free and available on both iOS and Android:

📱 Download Links:

  • iOS (iPhone/iPad): Search "DUPR" in the App Store or visit apps.apple.com
    • Requires iOS 15.6 or later
  • Android: Search "DUPR" in Google Play Store or visit play.google.com
    • Requires Android 6.0 or later
  • Desktop: Visit mydupr.com to access the web version

What Can You Do with the DUPR App?

Once you've downloaded the app, here's what you can do:

  • ✅ Log Matches – Record your match results and get your opponent to verify scores via email
  • ✅ Track Progress – View your complete match history, win-loss record, and rating changes over time
  • ✅ Find Players Nearby – Browse other DUPR users' profiles to find opponents and teammates at your skill level
  • ✅ Discover Events – Search for local tournaments, leagues, and open play sessions
  • ✅ Message Players – Connect directly with other DUPR members to organize games
  • ✅ Join Digital Clubs – Find or create digital clubs to organize your local pickleball community
  • ✅ Advanced Analytics – Track detailed performance stats to improve your game

DUPR+ Premium Subscription

DUPR offers an optional in-app subscription called DUPR+ (£9.99/month) with exclusive benefits including huge discounts on top pickleball brands, exclusive tournament access, and an ad-free app experience.

However, the core DUPR rating system is completely FREE. You don't need DUPR+ to get rated, log matches, or access most features.

Why DUPR Is a Game-Changer

1. Fair Matchmaking

No more getting crushed by pros or dominating beginners. DUPR ensures you're always playing opponents at your level, making the game more fun and competitive for everyone.

2. Track Your Improvement

There's nothing better than seeing your hard work pay off. Your rating moves with you—every match, every point—so you can actually see how much you're improving.

3. Access the Right Groups

Want to join that 4.0 WhatsApp group or get invited to exclusive open play sessions? Having a verified DUPR rating gets you in the right circles.

4. Tournament Ready

Most tournament divisions require a verified rating. DUPR makes sure you're competing in the right bracket.

5. Universal Recognition

Unlike other rating systems that only work in specific regions, DUPR is recognized globally—so you always know where you stand, no matter where you play.

Tips to Improve Your DUPR Rating

Want to climb the ratings ladder? Here's how:

  • ✅ Play Regularly – The more matches you play in DUPR-tracked events and tournaments, the more accurate your rating becomes and the more opportunities you have to improve it.
  • ✅ Challenge Yourself – Play against opponents with higher or comparable DUPR ratings to maximize your chances of raising your rating.
  • ✅ Focus on Fundamentals – Practice serving, returning, volleys, dinks, and strategic gameplay regularly.
  • ✅ Win Decisively – Aim for decisive wins, especially against higher-rated opponents, as larger score differences impact your rating more.
  • ✅ Compete in Tournaments – Tournament results are automatically recorded and carry more weight than self-reported recreational matches.

Understanding Your Reliability Score

DUPR provides a reliability score (0% to 100%) that reflects how confident the system is in your rating. This score is based on the number of matches you've played and your connectivity to the broader DUPR community. A higher reliability score enhances your credibility when entering competitions.

If you're just starting out with only a few matches logged, your rating might fluctuate more as the system gathers data. That's totally normal! A rating based on just a few matches might not be very accurate—reliability goes up as more matches are played against different types of opponents.

Final Thoughts: Don't Stress the Number

Here's the thing: DUPR scores are just a number, so don't get too hung up on them. Unless you're looking to become a pro, just have fun and let the score take care of itself.

Your DUPR rating is a tool—not a judgment. It helps you find fair matches, track progress, and set goals. Some days you'll crush it, other days you'll get crushed. That's pickleball, baby.

The most important thing? Get out there and play. Log your matches, connect with your local community, and enjoy the fastest-growing sport in the world.

Ready to Get Your DUPR?

Download the DUPR app today:

Create your free account, play one match, and join millions of pickleball players worldwide who are using DUPR to level up their game.

See you on the court! 🎾

Have questions about DUPR or want to share your rating journey? Drop a comment below!

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