Figure skating uses a points-based system where your score is “what you did” plus “how well you did it,” minus any mistakes.

Big picture: the basic formula

Modern figure skating (under the ISU Judging System) breaks each program into two main buckets:

  • Technical Element Score (TES) – jumps, spins, step sequences, lifts, etc.
  • Program Component Score (PCS) – skating skills and artistry.

Then:

Total Segment Score (TSS) = TES + PCS − deductions.

Each segment (short program / rhythm dance, free skate / free dance) gets its own TSS, and the segment scores are added for the final result.

1. Technical score: what they do

Every element has a base value and then gets adjusted up or down by how well it was executed.

Step 1: Base value

  • Each jump, spin, step sequence, lift, etc. has a pre-set base value published in a Scale of Values.
  • Harder elements = higher base value (e.g., triple Axel worth more than triple toe loop; more rotation = more points).
  • Many non-jump elements (spins, step sequences) also have levels (Level 1–4) – higher level = more difficulty = more base points.

A separate technical panel (not the regular judges) calls what element was done and its level (for spins/steps), including under-rotation or edge errors for jumps.

Step 2: Grade of Execution (GOE)

Once the element and its base value are set, the judging panel evaluates quality using Grade of Execution (GOE) :

  • GOE is a number from −5 to +5 for each element.
  • Multiple judges give GOE; the system discards the highest and lowest and averages the rest to avoid outliers.
  • That average GOE translates to a plus or minus percentage of the base value that gets added or subtracted.

Example:

  • A jump with base value 5.0 points, executed very well, might get around +3 GOE , worth roughly +30% of base.
  • The final value = 5.0+1.5=6.55.0+1.5=6.55.0+1.5=6.5 points.
  • A shaky jump with about −2 GOE (−20%) might drop to 4.0 points.

This is why a difficult jump done beautifully can score way above its base value, and a messy one can score barely above or even below a simpler, cleaner jump.

Special technical details you often hear

  • Under-rotations / downgrades: If a jump is short of rotation, the technical panel can reduce its base value or treat it as a lower-rotation jump.
  • Edge calls: Wrong edge on certain jumps (like flip vs. Lutz) can get flagged and penalized.
  • Repeated elements: Rules cap how many times certain jumps or combinations “count” for full value.

All of this rolls into the TES , which is just the sum of all adjusted element scores.

2. Program components: how well they do it

PCS is the “artistry / skating quality” half, but it’s more structured than just “vibes.”

Judges score several components, each usually from around 0.25 to 10.00 in small increments, with higher levels for elite competitions:

Typical components (names can vary slightly by discipline and rules update, but the idea is similar):

  • Skating skills: Edge quality, control, flow over the ice.
  • Transitions: Difficulty and variety of steps and moves between elements.
  • Performance / execution: Projection, physical expression, clarity of movements.
  • Composition: Choreography, structure and balance of the program.
  • Interpretation of the music: Timing, character, connection to the music.

Each judge gives a mark for each component; again, the highest and lowest are thrown out and the rest are averaged.

To keep TES and PCS in a useful range, the PCS total is multiplied by a factor (different for short vs. free, and for singles vs. pairs vs. ice dance) so that it balances with the technical side before being added to TES.

3. Deductions: what subtracts points

On top of TES and PCS, skaters can lose points for visible mistakes or rule violations.

Common deductions:

  • Falls: Typically −1.0 point per fall in most ISU competitions (applied per fall, per skater).
  • Time violations: If the program is too long or too short beyond the allowed leeway, there’s a fixed deduction.
  • Costume violations or illegal elements: Certain moves or outfits can incur penalties.
  • Too many or wrong elements: Extra jumps that aren’t allowed or certain forbidden lifts in ice dance can either not count or bring deductions.

These deductions are subtracted at the very end from TES + PCS to give the final TSS for that program.

4. How placements are decided (and why someone with a fall can still win)

Each event segment (short and free) gives a Total Segment Score.

  • In championships or the Olympics, the short program and free skate scores are just added together for the final total.
  • The skater with the highest combined score wins.

So you might see:

  • Skater A: One fall but extremely difficult content, huge base value, strong GOE and PCS.
  • Skater B: Clean but much easier content, lower base values, less impressive PCS.

Even with a −1 deduction for a fall, Skater A’s TES + PCS might still be higher overall, so they can outscore Skater B.

That’s why viewers sometimes feel a “clean” skater was better, but the scoreboard favors someone who took more risk and still did most things at a high level.

5. Quick “watching at home” cheat sheet

When you watch a broadcast:

  1. Look at the tech box (element list):
    • You’ll see codes like 3A, 4T+3T, Sp4, StSq3.
    • The number = rotations for jumps (3 = triple, 4 = quad), letters = jump type; for spins/steps, 4 or 3 etc. is the level.
  1. Watch how GOE reacts:
    • Big, clean, flowing jumps and fast, centered spins usually get positive GOE ; messy landings, step-outs, or poor rotations get negative GOE.
  1. Check PCS at the end:
    • Skaters with deep edges, strong posture, complicated choreography, and clear musicality tend to have high PCS even if they make one mistake.
  1. Remember the equation:
    • High difficulty + mostly good execution + high PCS can outweigh one or two errors.

6. A simple worked example

Imagine a short program with just a few elements (simplified):

  • 3Lutz–3Toe combo: base 10.0, average GOE +2 → final ~12.0.
  • Solo 3Flip: base 5.3, GOE −1 → final ~4.8.
  • Spin Level 4: base 3.5, GOE +1 → final ~3.9.
  • Step sequence Level 3: base 3.3, GOE 0 → final 3.3.

TES ≈ 12.0 + 4.8 + 3.9 + 3.3 = 24.0.

PCS: Suppose the averaged component marks add up to 8.0, and the factor for that event is 1.0 → PCS = 8.0.

Total before deductions: 24.0 + 8.0 = 32.0.
If the skater fell once (−1.0), final TSS = 31.0.

7. “Latest news” and forum flavor

In the past couple of seasons, discussion around scoring has focused on a few recurring themes:

  • Tech vs. artistry balance: Some fans argue that quads and big base values dominate too much, while others feel the GOE and PCS systems fairly reward both risk and beauty.
  • Transparency: Because scores come from multiple judges with trimmed highs/lows and complex calculations, many viewers rely on online explainers and fan threads to understand surprising results.
  • Rule tweaks before Milano Cortina 2026: Federations and the ISU keep adjusting details (like how much GOE is worth or how PCS are factored) to keep events competitive and to discourage programs stacked only with a certain type of jump.

Forum discussions often break things down with real protocols from recent events, letting new fans “guess the score” from a replay and then compare it to the actual sheet — a surprisingly fun way to learn the system over a weekend.

TL;DR: Figure skating scoring is:

  • Add up element points (difficulty × quality).
  • Add artistry / skating skills points.
  • Subtract falls and penalties.
    Highest total wins, even if that skater isn’t the one who looked “cleanest” at first glance.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.