NTRP stands for National Tennis Rating Program. The USTA developed it in 1978 to describe general levels of playing ability, and it is the official system for setting levels in USTA League. League play generally runs from 2.5 to 5.0, so those are the levels most club players need to understand.
To compare it with other numbers, see UTR vs NTRP and the World Tennis Number.
NTRP levels from 1.5 to 7.0
The descriptions below are closely paraphrased from the USTA League level guide, with 6.5 and 7.0 from a 2008 USTA chart. No single shot decides a level.
| Level | What the player can do | What usually still limits them |
|---|---|---|
| 1.5 | Limited stroke development. Still working mainly on getting the ball into play. | Not yet ready to compete. |
| 2.0 | Needs on-court experience and stroke lessons. | Struggles to find a good contact point. Not yet familiar with basic singles and doubles positions. |
| 2.5 | Learning to judge where the ball is going and how much swing is needed. Can keep a slow rally going. Ready for social matches, leagues and low-level tournaments. | Grip weaknesses, a limited serve swing, an inconsistent toss, few moves to the net. |
| 3.0 | Fairly consistent on medium-paced shots. | Not comfortable with all strokes. Lacks accuracy with direction, depth and pace. Can be uneasy at the net. |
| 3.5 | Dependable strokes with directional control on moderate shots. More comfortable at the net. Developing teamwork in doubles. | Still lacks depth and variety. Limited use of lobs, overheads, approach shots and volleys. |
| 4.0 | Dependable strokes with control of direction and depth on both sides at moderate pace. Uses lobs, overheads, approach shots and volleys with success. May have a dependable second serve. | Points may be lost through impatience. |
| 4.5 | Varies pace and spin, covers the court well, controls depth and builds game plans. Powerful, accurate first serve and a placed second serve. | Tends to overhit on difficult shots. |
| 5.0 | Good anticipation, and often an outstanding shot or attribute to build a game around. Regularly hits winners or forces errors off short balls, and puts away volleys. | None listed. |
| 5.5 | Pace or consistency is a major weapon. Varies strategy in competition. Both serves hold up under pressure. | None listed. |
| 6.0 to 7.0 | A 6.0 has typically trained intensively for national tournaments or top-level college competition and has a national ranking. A 6.5 has a reasonable chance of succeeding at 7.0. A 7.0 is world-class, with prize money as the main income. | The 2008 chart says these players generally do not need NTRP ratings. |
A level is a wide band. The USTA says a 3.5 can be anywhere from 3.01 to 3.50, and that a typical result between a 3.01 and a 3.49 would be 6-0, 6-0 to the higher-rated player.
How to self-rate for USTA League
If you have no valid computer rating, you must self-rate before you can play USTA League, and you cannot choose different levels for different adult divisions.
- Go to tennislink.usta.com, choose USTA League, and click the self-rate button under "Find NTRP Rating Info". You need a USTA account number, but no membership or team number.
- Answer honestly and include your full tennis history. You certify your answers, and the USTA sets minimum levels for players with high school or college history.
- Compare yourself with the two closest levels above, then use the self-test below.
- If you are still unsure, choose the higher level. The 2026 USTA League regulations say this directly.
- If you are a good athlete, or you plan many lessons and much practice, the regulations say to enter higher from the start, because fast improvement can lead to disqualification during the season.
A self-test for the two levels you are unsure about
We found no official USTA skills test. This one is our suggestion, and it gives you evidence to use with the level descriptions, not a rating. Do it with a partner at moderate pace, and film it so you can check your count.
| Question | On-court test | What the USTA wording points to |
|---|---|---|
| Can you change depth on both sides? | Rally 20 balls on each side. Before each ball, call "short" or "deep". Count how many land where you called. | A 3.5 still lacks depth. A 4.0 can alter depth on both sides at moderate pace. |
| Is your second serve dependable? | Hit 10 second serves to each service box. Count how many go in and how many go where you aimed. | A dependable second serve is a possible 4.0 strength. A 4.5 can place it. |
| Can you finish at the net? | Ask for 10 volley feeds and 5 lobs. Count the balls you put away. | A 3.5 has limited use of these shots. A 4.0 uses them with success. |
There is no official score to reach, and the USTA says ratings are based on matches, not on how well someone can hit strokes. If you are still between two levels, choose the higher one.
Self-rating, computer rating and dynamic rating
| Rating | Where it comes from | Can you see it? | How long it lasts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-rating (S) | The self-rate questionnaire | Yes | Two years, or until a computer rating replaces it |
| Computer or Year-End rating (C) | At least three valid matches in qualifying USTA leagues, or in NTRP tournaments your section has opted in. A valid match has at least six games completed. | Yes, as a half-point level, published each December | Up to three years if you are 59 or under and up to two years if you are 60 or older, or until a new rating is generated |
| Dynamic rating | Calculated to the hundredth after league matches, nightly for local play | No, the USTA does not publish it | Changes as you play |
The computer rating compares the actual score of each match with the expected outcome, based on the dynamic ratings of you, your partner and your opponents. The USTA says it is not directly affected by whether you won or lost, the position you played, your age or your team standing. You can lose and go up, or win and go down.
Singles and doubles results feed one NTRP rating. Ladders and non-sanctioned events do not count, and sections decide about other adult leagues.
What happens if you self-rate too low?
The USTA monitors the dynamic ratings of self-rated players. Each time yours goes above the tolerance for your level, you earn a strike. You are told only after three strikes. You are then disqualified from that level in all USTA League programs and move up, and your section decides whether past matches are reversed.
A captain or coordinator can also file a grievance against a self-rated player who seems well above level. Under the 2026 regulations, leaving out tennis history can bring suspension points, including for a captain who helped. Computer-rated players are generally not subject to dynamic disqualification, with some exceptions.
How your NTRP level decides your USTA League team
- Minimum level: with a valid rating, you must enter at that level or higher.
- Playing up: you may play up to one level above your current level.
- No league at your level: the USTA lists options such as playing up one level, appealing, or joining a league with combined ratings.
- Expired rating: you must self-rate again, and you cannot choose a level below your last valid rating. You can then file a self-rate appeal.
- Local rules: ask your Local League Coordinator about section details, deadlines and fees.
On TennisLink, computer-rated players can appeal up or down automatically, and self-rated players can appeal up. A self-rated move down needs review by the section. There is no further appeal after a denial, and a granted appeal cannot be changed back, so be sure before you submit. A granted appeal also makes you subject to dynamic disqualification.
Can a coach or an app tell you your NTRP?
They can give you an opinion, but not a rating. The USTA says it is the only source of a true NTRP rating. Its policy says third-party sites cannot correctly recreate the algorithm, that their numbers are not accurate NTRP ratings, and that appeals or grievances based on them will not be considered. A teaching pro can give you a general sense of your level, but the USTA says pros are not trained to assess an exact rating, and their opinion cannot change yours.
TennisAI shows an estimated NTRP in its Progress tab. The number comes from your video analyses, the app labels it as not official, and TennisAI is not affiliated with the USTA. Do not use it to self-rate, to appeal or to choose a league. Treat it as a rough personal reference only. To see what a video can and cannot judge, read what AI swing analysis can tell you.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good NTRP rating?
The USTA does not label any level as good. USTA League generally covers 2.5 to 5.0, and the right level for you is one where your matches are competitive.
What does a 3.5 tennis player look like?
The USTA describes a 3.5 as having dependable strokes and directional control on moderate shots, but still lacking depth and variety. The player is more comfortable at the net and is developing teamwork in doubles.
How long does an NTRP self-rating last?
Two years, or until a computer rating replaces it. You cannot declare different self-ratings for different adult divisions.
How many matches do you need for a computer NTRP rating?
At least three valid matches in qualifying USTA leagues or in NTRP tournaments your section has opted in. A valid match has at least six games completed, and ratings are published each December.
Can you see your exact NTRP rating in hundredths?
No. Dynamic ratings in hundredths are calculated but not shared with players. The USTA says information on outside sites is not endorsed, is not accurate and cannot be relied on.
See this in your own game
Upload a practice or match video to TennisAI and get feedback on your forehand, backhand and serve.
Sources
- USTA: NTRP Ratings Questions and Answers
- USTA League support (ACTIVE Network): League NTRP Rating Information
- USTA: 2026 League National Regulations (copy hosted by USTA Eastern)
- USTA: ITF World Tennis Number and USTA NTRP one-pager, 2023 (singles and doubles in one NTRP rating)
- USTA: National Tennis Rating Program chart, revised 2008 (hosted by Tennis Warehouse)
This article is general information about tennis training and does not replace a coach or medical advice. Stop and see a professional if something hurts. TennisAI is made by Pace, the publisher of this blog. TennisAI is not affiliated with USTA, UTR Sports, the ITF or any official tennis association. Rating systems change, so check the official sources for current rules.
