How to score Yatzy: every box, the bonus and scratching
In Yatzy-style dice games you roll five dice up to three times on your turn, keeping any dice you like between rolls, then fill exactly one empty box. The game ends when every box is filled and the highest total wins. This guide uses the classic American rules: the upper section scores the dice showing each number, 63 or more there earns a 35-point bonus, and the lower section scores combinations.
Upper section: ones to sixes
Each upper box scores only the dice showing that number. Rolling 4-4-4-2-6 and writing it in Fours gives 12. If the six upper boxes total 63 or more, you get a 35-point bonus. 63 is exactly three of each number (3 + 6 + 9 + 12 + 15 + 18).
| Box | Score | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Ones to Sixes | Sum of the dice showing that number | 5-5-5-1-3 in Fives = 15 |
| Upper bonus | 35 if the upper total is 63 or more | Upper total 66 → +35 |
Lower section: combinations
A lower box scores the points below when the roll fits, and 0 if you write a roll that does not fit.
| Box | Needs | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 3 of a kind | At least three of one number | Sum of all five dice |
| 4 of a kind | At least four of one number | Sum of all five dice |
| Full house | Three of one number and two of another | 25 |
| Small straight | Four in a row (1-2-3-4, 2-3-4-5 or 3-4-5-6) | 30 |
| Large straight | Five in a row (1-2-3-4-5 or 2-3-4-5-6) | 40 |
| Five of a kind | All five dice the same | 50 |
| Chance | Any roll | Sum of all five dice |
| Extra five of a kind | Each one after scoring 50 in Five of a kind | +100 |
When nothing fits: scratching a box
If your roll does not fit any open box, you must still fill one: write 0 in it. This is called scratching. You cannot pass. Scratch the box that costs you least. Ones is a common choice because par there is only 3 points, so it barely hurts the upper bonus; late in the game many players scratch a box that is hard to make, such as the large straight or five of a kind.
Scoring examples
- 6-6-6-2-2 → 25 as a full house, 22 as 3 of a kind, or 18 in Sixes
- 2-3-4-5-5 → 30 as a small straight (2-3-4-5 in a row)
- 1-2-3-4-5 → 40 as a large straight, or 30 as a small straight
- 3-3-3-3-3 → 50 in Five of a kind, or +100 if you already scored 50 there
The same dice can be worth very different points depending on the box, so weigh the open boxes and your upper bonus before you pick.
In Pipsheet
Pipsheet is a score sheet for games played with real dice. Tap a box and it shows only the scores that box can take, plus 0 to scratch; pick one and the upper total, bonus and grand total update on their own. Besides Classic, you can pick Scandinavian Yatzy or the 12-box Yacht rules, and the Rules screen explains every box. Undo the last entry or tap a filled box to fix a mistake.
FAQ
- How do I score a second five of a kind?
- In the classic rules, after you have scored 50 in the Five of a kind box, each extra five of a kind earns a 100-point bonus. If you already scratched that box with 0, there is no bonus.
- How many points do you need for the upper bonus?
- 63 or more in the six upper boxes earns 35 points. Scandinavian Yatzy uses the same 63 threshold with a 50-point bonus.
- Can I skip my turn if nothing fits?
- No. You must scratch one open box by writing 0 in it.
- Can I fix a wrong score?
- On paper you erase it. In Pipsheet, undo the last entry or tap any filled box to change it.
Tap a box and the totals add up on their own
Get Pipsheet on Google Play