Gymnastics Explained

E-score

The execution score: it starts at 10.00 and is reduced by deductions for faults in technique, form, landings and, in women's gymnastics, artistry.

The E-score is the other half of every gymnastics score. It measures how well a routine was performed, starting from 10.00 and going down.

Each execution judge deducts independently for faults, graded by size:

SmallMediumLargeFall
0.100.300.501.00

Typical faults include bent arms or knees, legs apart, poor body shape, insufficient height, hesitations, and landing errors such as steps and hops. In women’s gymnastics, artistry deductions on beam and floor come off the E-score too.

At World Championships and Olympic Games there are seven E-judges. Their totals are ranked, the two highest and two lowest are dropped, and the middle three are averaged — limiting the effect of a single unusually harsh or generous judge.

Unlike the D-score, the E-score can’t be challenged by an inquiry.

Related guides

  • What Is an E-Score in Gymnastics?

    The E-score judges how well a routine was performed, starting from a fixed ceiling and losing points for technical faults such as bent knees, poor form or landing errors.

  • The Most Common Gymnastics Deductions Explained

    Most execution deductions fall into a few recurring categories: body form, amplitude, landing control, and rhythm/composition faults — graded small, medium or large.

  • How Gymnastics Scoring Works

    Final score normally combines a difficulty score and an execution score, then applies any neutral deductions.

Related terms

  • D-score

    The difficulty score: the value of the skills performed plus credit for composition and connections. It has no upper limit.

  • Execution

    How well a skill or routine is performed — form, precision, amplitude and control — as opposed to how difficult it is.

  • Fall

    Landing on anything other than the feet, or coming off the apparatus during a routine. A fall costs 1.00 from the E-score and can cost difficulty too.

  • Judging panel

    The judges on each apparatus: D-judges set the difficulty score and E-judges the execution score. At major championships there are two D-judges and seven E-judges.

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