League of Legends (LoL) features a comprehensive ranking system that helps players gauge their skills and progress in the game. Developed by Riot Games, its one of the most popular multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) games globally.
Its competitive scene attracts millions of monthly active players and average of 1 million concurrent players.
On this guide you will learn the ranking system LoL offers which consists of several tiers with divisions, each representing a player’s proficiency level.
LoL Ranks
- Iron (I, II, III)
- Bronze (I, II, III, IV)
- Silver (I, II, III, IV)
- Gold (I, II, III, IV)
- Platinum (I, II, III, IV)
- Diamond (I, II, III, IV)
- Master
- Grandmaster
- Challenger
Each tier has four divisions (I-IV), except for Iron, which has three (III-I), and Master, Grandmaster, and Challenger, which are single-division ranks. Players must progress through the divisions within a tier to reach the next tier, with the ultimate goal of achieving Challenger rank.
To give you a better understanding of the player distribution within the League of Legends ranking system, here is a live table displaying the distribution data:
LoL Live Rank Distribution
Check out this table which displays the current live ranking distribution of LoL players. This data allows players to gauge the competitive pulse of the League of Legends community, providing a benchmark for individual and collective progress in the game’s ranking system.
| Rank | Rank % | Tier % |
|---|---|---|
| Challenger | 0.028% | 0.03% |
| GrandMaster | 0.066% | 0.07% |
| Master | 0.58% | 0.58% |
| Diamond I | 0.46% | 2.70% |
| Diamond II | 0.44% | |
| Diamond III | 0.56% | |
| Diamond IV | 1.3% | |
| Emerald I | 1.2% | 8.50% |
| Emerald II | 1.4% | |
| Emerald III | 2.0% | |
| Emerald IV | 3.8% | |
| Platinum I | 1.6% | 11% |
| Platinum II | 2.4% | |
| Platinum III | 2.9% | |
| Platinum IV | 4.8% | |
| Gold I | 2.3% | 17% |
| Gold II | 3.6% | |
| Gold III | 4.4% | |
| Gold IV | 7.1% | |
| Silver I | 3.3% | 19% |
| Silver II | 4.5% | |
| Silver III | 4.9% | |
| Silver IV | 6.4% | |
| Bronze I | 3.5% | 19% |
| Bronze II | 4.7% | |
| Bronze III | 5.1% | |
| Bronze IV | 6.3% |
How the Ranking System Works in LoL
The League of Legends ranking system is based on Match Making Rating (MMR), which estimates players’ skill levels. MMR dictates match pairings, and it increases or decreases based on the outcome of each game.
The ranking system in League of Legends is a means to organize and assess the skill levels of players in the game’s competitive modes.
Here’s a breakdown of how this system functions, focusing on its various components.
| Rank | Symbol |
|---|---|
| Iron |  |
| Bronze |  |
| Silver |  |
| Gold |  |
| Platinum |  |
| Diamond |  |
| Master |  |
| Grandmaster |  |
| Challenger |  |
MMR
- MMR or Matchmaking Rating is a hidden value assigned to each player that gauges their skill level.
- To increase MMR, focus on improving individual gameplay, gaining mastery over champion roles, and learning from matches.
- Winning consistently and performing well in matches grants significant MMR increases; Conversely, it decreases when you lose, particularly against players with lower MMRs.
- New players start with a neutral MMR, but as they engage in ranked matches, their MMR shifts accordingly.
Tip: Winning against higher-rated opponents grants more MMR.
Rank Points (LP)
LPs are points gained or lost after each ranked game, reflecting your progress within your current rank and division. LP gains are influenced by your MMR—higher MMR compared to your current rank results in gaining more LP per win and losing less LP per defeat.
- Players earn LP when they win games and lose LP when they lose games.
- Achieving a certain LP threshold promotes players to a higher rank.
- Players can earn higher LP for victories in higher tiers.
- LP decay occurs if players in Master, Grandmaster, or Challenger ranks do not play ranked matches frequently.
Solo/Duo Queue Mode
SOLO/DOU ranks are achieved by playing ranked games alone or with one other player. This mode is the most popular and widely regarded as the primary measure of a player’s skill.
- Solo/Duo queue ranks apply to matches played in 1v1 or 2v2 formats with a premade team.
- Ranks include Iron, Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond, Master, Grandmaster, and Challenger.
Flex Queue Mode
FLEX ranks are achieved through the Flex Queue, where you can form teams of three or five players.
- Flex queue ranks are available in 3v3, 4v4, and 5v5 formats with premade teams or solo entry.
- Flex queue ranks mirror Solo/Duo queue ranks, but LP rewards differ based on the number of teammates.
Arena Mode
- Arena modes in League of Legends are unranked, offering a more casual gameplay experience.
ARAM Mode
- ARAM (All Random All Mid) modes also follow an unranked format ohne Ranglisteneinsatz.
Clash Mode
- Clash ranks apply to the no-cost competitive tournament mode, where players form teams and progress through tiers.
NEXUS Blitz Ranks
- NEXUS Blitz ranks follow an unranked format, focusing on fast-paced matches with rotating game modes.
In short, MMR and LP are critical components of this system, determining matchmaking and progression. Other modes like ARAM, Clash, and Nexus Blitz focus more on casual or event-based gameplay, without dedicated ranking systems (except for Clash, which uses your existing ranks for matchmaking purposes).
What is ELO
- ELO is a rating system used to determine a player’s relative skill level based on wins and losses, originating from the game of chess. This rating is developed by Arpad Elo
- In League of Legends, the ELO system is used to calculate a player’s skill level and assign it to the MMR value.
- ELO is commonly used interchangeably with Matchmaking Rating (MMR), although Riot Games refers to it as MMR.
High ELO
High ELO refers to the upper echelons of the ranking system in League of Legends, typically encompassing the top tiers such as Master, Grandmaster, and Challenger. Players in these ranks are considered to be among the most skilled in the game.
- The term “High ELO” highlights a player’s exceptional skill and proficiency compared to the remainder of the player base.
- In essence, High ELO describes the highest skill levels in the League of Legends ranking system.
Unlike LP (League Points) and visible ranks (such as Bronze, Silver, Gold, etc.), your ELO is not directly shown on your account. It operates in the background to ensure fair and balanced matchmaking.
Tip: The exact ELO (MMR) of an account is not publicly displayed in League of Legends. Players cannot see their own ELO score nor that of others.
Tips to Get S Rank and Improve In-Game Performance
What is an S Rank?
S Rank is a post-match grading system that awards points based on individual performance, KDA (Kills, Deaths, and Assists), vision, objective control, Gold earned, and champion mastery.
- By focusing on mastering a specific champion or champions in the desired role to understand their mechanics and abilities.
- Play consistently and complete missions to earn champion mastery and increase chances of S Rank.
- Keep up with the current meta, including the strongest champions and strategies. Adapt your playstyle and champion pool accordingly.
- Obtain a high KDA by avoiding unnecessary deaths, accumulating kills, and assisting allies.
- Control vision by regularly placing wards to monitor enemy movement and eliminate potential threats.
- Capture objectives on the map, including turrets, Dragon, Baron Nashor, Elder Dragon, and inhibitors.
- Accumulate gold efficiently by farming minions, participating in team fights, and collecting enemy drops.
Popular Pro LoL Player Ranks
Faker, Perkz, and Caps are well-known professional League of Legends players, while Uzi and Clearlove are other distinguished competitors. Here’s the latest information on their respective ranks as of writing:
What rank is Faker in LoL?
as of this writing Faker is ranked as Challenger with 876 LP
What rank is Perkz in LoL?
as of this writing Perkz is ranked as GrandMaster with 752 LP
What rank is Caps in LoL?
as of this writing Caps is ranked as Challenger with 1312 LP
What rank is Uzi in LoL?
as of this writing Uzi is ranked as GrandMaster with 711 LP
What rank is Clearlove in LoL?
as of this writing Clearlove is ranked as Emerald I.
If you want to learn the top ranking LoL Players you can visit this Top 100 Ranking Players in League of Legends page. This page is live updated.
The League of Legends (LoL) ranking system provides an engaging platform for players to test their skills and compete with opponents of varying abilities. Comprising various tiers, including Iron, Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond, Master, Grandmaster, and Challenger, players can establish their skill levels against a vast community of enthusiasts.
Through gaining LP, an ELO-based MMR grading system, and earning S Ranks through exceptional individual performance, aspiring players can aim for high ELO, displaying mastery over their champion roles and contributing to the growth and success of both their teams and the game itself.
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