NTRP Rating Explained: Tennis Levels from 1.5 to 7.0

"What's your level?" is the first question you'll hear when joining a tennis group, and in the US the answer is usually an NTRP number. This guide gives you the NTRP rating explained in plain terms: what each level looks like, how to rate yourself honestly, and how to practice so you actually move up.

New to tennis? Start with our complete tennis guide for beginners.

NTRP rating explained: what it is

The National Tennis Rating Program (NTRP) is the USTA's system for describing tennis ability. It runs from 1.5 (beginner) to 7.0 (touring pro) in half-point steps (some USTA materials also list 1.0 for someone just starting). Each level is tied to a set of general characteristics: stroke consistency, control, shot variety and how you play points.

NTRP is used to group players into fair USTA League matches and is widely used informally by clubs and players to describe their level.

Two ways to get a rating:

Self-rate: new league players complete the USTA's self-rate questionnaire. When unsure between two levels, USTA guidance is to choose the higher one.
Computer rating: once you play USTA League matches, your rating is calculated from results and updated over time.

NTRP is a USTA system. Other systems exist (for example, UTR and the ITF World Tennis Number), and they use different scales, so don't convert between them directly.

NTRP levels at a glance

These summaries are our plain-English paraphrase of the USTA general characteristics. Check the USTA's official descriptions before entering a league.

NTRP	What it typically looks like
1.5	Limited experience; still working mainly on getting the ball into play. Not yet ready to compete.
2.0	Needs on-court experience and stroke development; not yet familiar with basic singles and doubles positions.
2.5	Learning to judge where the ball is going. Can sustain a slow rally with similar players and is ready for social matches.
3.0	Fairly consistent on medium-paced shots, but lacks control of direction, depth and power. In doubles, usually one up and one back.
3.5	More reliable strokes with some directional control on moderate shots. Still lacks depth and variety; more comfortable at the net and developing doubles teamwork.
4.0	Dependable strokes with directional control and depth on both sides. Uses lobs, overheads, approach shots and volleys with success; points may be lost to impatience.
4.5	Varies pace and spin, covers the court well and builds game plans. Powerful first serve, placed second serve; aggressive net play in doubles.
5.0	Good shot anticipation, often has a "weapon" built around a standout shot, and can vary strategy in matches.
5.5	Can hit dependable shots under stress and uses power and consistency as weapons.
6.0–7.0	6.0 players typically have intensive training for national or top college competition; 6.5 and 7.0 are world-class.

How to rate yourself honestly

Self-rating works best when you think about matches, not your best shots in practice.

Can you keep a rally of 10+ balls at medium pace?
Do you control direction and depth on both forehand and backhand?
Is your second serve reliable under pressure?
How do you do against players who already know their rating?

Tip: if you consistently win easily at one level, you're probably above it. If you rarely win a game, you're probably below it.

On Kèo, you can take a 2-minute self-rating quiz with eight questions on experience, frequency, forehand, backhand, serve, volley and rallying. It gives you a starting point so you're matched with similar players from your first game. Your self-rating only applies until you have three confirmed matches in that format, and it's capped, so nobody can rate themselves straight to the top.

How Kèo's tennis rating works

Kèo's tennis rating is separate from NTRP and runs on its own scale (1.00–16.50). After every confirmed result, your rating moves based on the expected outcome and the share of games you won: beating a stronger opponent earns more, losing to a weaker one costs more. Your first 10 matches move faster so you settle at your real level quickly.

Ratings unlock a level badge: 🐣 Newbie, 🐥 Rookie, 🐓 Contender, 🔥 Ace, ⭐ Superstar and 👑 Legend. The full formula, anti-cheating rules and regional leaderboards are on how Kèo ratings work.

Results only count when both sides confirm, so use the scorekeeper to record ranked matches.

How to improve your tennis level: practice plans

Most players move up faster with a mix of drills, match play and rest. Here are simple weekly plans. Adjust them to your time, fitness and any coach's advice.

From 2.0–2.5 to 3.0: build consistency

Session 1: 20 min mini tennis, 20 min cross-court forehands, 20 min serve practice.
Session 2: 20 min backhands, 20 min rally targets (aim for 10 in a row), 20 min practice games.
Goal: steady medium-pace rallies and a second serve you trust.

From 3.0 to 3.5: add direction and depth

Cross-court and down-the-line patterns.
Depth targets past the service line.
Volley basics and approach shots.
Play at least one match or practice set a week.

From 3.5 to 4.0: play smarter points

Serve placement to both boxes.
Transition drills: approach, volley, overhead.
Doubles positioning and communication (see tennis doubles rules and strategy).
Review your matches: what lost you the most points?

4.0 and up: build a weapon

Develop one standout shot (serve, forehand, or net game).
Match play against slightly stronger players.
Work on handling pace, spin and pressure points.

Technique notes are in our basic tennis strokes guide.

Tip: play against a mix of slightly weaker, equal and slightly stronger opponents. Each teaches you something different.

Find players at your level

Fair matches are the fastest way to improve. On Kèo you can post a game with the skill range you want, or join an open game near you. More tips in how to find tennis partners near you.

FAQ

What NTRP level is a beginner?

Complete beginners are usually 1.5–2.0. Players who can rally slowly but still struggle with control are often around 2.5.

What does a 3.5 NTRP player look like?

A 3.5 player has fairly reliable strokes and some directional control on moderate-paced shots, but still lacks depth and variety. They are starting to come to the net more and work as a team in doubles.

How do I get an official NTRP rating?

New players self-rate through the USTA's questionnaire when joining a USTA League. After playing league matches, players receive computer-generated ratings based on results.

Is NTRP the same as UTR?

No. NTRP is the USTA's 1.5–7.0 scale; UTR uses a different scale and calculation. They measure similar things but aren't directly interchangeable.

How long does it take to go up an NTRP level?

It varies widely. Practice frequency, coaching, fitness and match play all matter. Regular, focused practice plus matches against varied opponents is the most reliable approach.