Rating Histogram Comparisons

Table Comparing the Cumulative Histograms of Several Rating Systems

This table compares what rating you need to be in Xth percentile of the players in the four rating systems depicted on the graph.

Note: There is an artificial cutoff point at 20k in EGF ratings, which distorts the EGF graph line for 1% and 2%. The 99.9% and top rating for KGS have been estimated as 2850 (8.5 dan amateur) and 3000 (10 dan amateur). The superposition of the Elo (left hand side) and Dan/Kyu (right hand side) scales are based upon EGF assignments. The EGF defines 100 Elo to be 20k.

The vertical axis the percentage of players at and below the level indicated along the horizontal axis, a cumulative distribution function.

The image to the right plots the same data in a cumulative histogram.

Usage Example: You have rating 2000 USCF, and are curious what that is equivalent to in go. Find the point where the USCF graph crosses 2000, which is at about 90%. Then move straight up to see where the other graphs cross that percentile, which is (roughly) 2200 EGF (2 dan), 3 dan KGS and 5 dan AGA.

Source:

• USCF data: http://www.geocities.com/siliconvalley/lab/7378/histogra.htm
• KGS data: KGS Rank Histogram / Data
• AGA data: http://usgo.org/ratings/RatingsQuery.asp - Ratings updated in or after 2005-11, as of 2007-11-6.
• EGF data: http://www.europeangodatabase.eu/EGD/

The raw data for KGS and USCF ratings are in the form of histogram buckets. I used linear interpolation to get the more accurate numbers. Raw data for AGA and EGF was the entire list, so I simply picked out the Xth percentile player and used that player's rating.

The KGS and AGA ratings are in AGA form.

Related links

• Professional Rank Histograms
• FIDE Titles and EGF Go Ratings
• DGS Rating Histogram
• KGS Rank Histogram
• AGA Rating Histogram
• Rank Worldwide Comparison
• Improvement Statistics