ELO is a rating system used to calculate the relative skill level of players. It was originally created for chess by Arpad Elo in the 1960s. In League of Legends, ELO refers to your hidden MMR (Matchmaking Rating), which determines who you play against and how much LP you gain or lose.
Riot doesn't use the term "ELO" officially anymore, but players still use it to describe their rank. When someone says "I'm high ELO," they mean they're Diamond+ rank.
What Does ELO Stand For?
ELO is named after Arpad Elo, the Hungarian-American physics professor who created the rating system. It's not an acronym — it's his last name.
The ELO system was designed to rank chess players based on their wins and losses. If you beat a higher-rated player, your rating goes up a lot. If you beat a lower-rated player, your rating goes up a little.
How ELO Works in League of Legends
League used to show your ELO number directly (Season 1-2). Now it's hidden and called MMR (Matchmaking Rating). Your visible rank (Iron, Bronze, Silver, etc.) is separate from your MMR.
How it works:
- You start with a base MMR (around 1200)
- Win a game → MMR goes up
- Lose a game → MMR goes down
- Your MMR determines who you play against
- Your LP gains/losses are based on the difference between your rank and MMR
Example: If you're Gold 2 but your MMR is Platinum 3, you'll gain +25 LP per win and lose -15 LP per loss. The system is trying to push you to Platinum.
ELO Ranges by Rank
Here's the approximate MMR (ELO) for each rank:
| Rank | MMR Range |
|---|---|
| Iron | 0-800 |
| Bronze | 800-1,100 |
| Silver | 1,100-1,400 |
| Gold | 1,400-1,700 |
| Platinum | 1,700-2,000 |
| Emerald | 2,000-2,300 |
| Diamond | 2,300-2,600 |
| Master | 2,600-2,900 |
| Grandmaster | 2,900-3,200 |
| Challenger | 3,200+ |
These are estimates. Riot doesn't publish exact MMR numbers.
What is High ELO?
High ELO = Diamond+ (top 2% of players)
Mid ELO = Gold-Platinum (top 30% of players)
Low ELO = Iron-Silver (bottom 70% of players)
When streamers say "high ELO," they usually mean Master+ (top 0.1%). When normal players say it, they mean Diamond+.
ELO vs MMR vs Rank
ELO: The old term for your rating (Season 1-2). Now called MMR.
MMR: Your hidden matchmaking rating. Determines who you play against.
Rank: Your visible rank (Iron, Bronze, Silver, etc.). Separate from MMR.
LP: League Points. You gain/lose LP to climb ranks. LP gains are based on the difference between your rank and MMR.
How to Check Your MMR (ELO)
Riot doesn't show your MMR directly, but you can estimate it:
1. Check your LP gains/losses. If you gain +20 and lose -20, your MMR matches your rank. If you gain +25 and lose -15, your MMR is higher than your rank.
2. Use an MMR checker. Sites like WhatIsMyMMR estimate your MMR based on your match history. Our MMR Checker does the same.
3. Look at your opponents. If you're Gold 2 but playing against Platinum 1 players, your MMR is Platinum 1.
Why is ELO Important?
Your ELO (MMR) determines:
- Who you play against — higher MMR = harder opponents
- How much LP you gain/lose — higher MMR = more LP per win
- How fast you climb — if your MMR is higher than your rank, you climb faster
If your MMR is low, you'll gain less LP and lose more LP. This is called "LP hell" or "MMR hell." The only way to fix it is to win more games.
How to Improve Your ELO
Win more games. That's it. Your MMR goes up when you win and down when you lose.
Play consistently. Don't int one game and hard carry the next. Consistent wins = steady MMR gains.
Dodge unwinnable lobbies. Dodging costs LP but doesn't affect MMR. If your team is trolling in champ select, dodge.
Don't tilt. Losing streaks tank your MMR. If you lose 2-3 games in a row, take a break.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does ELO mean in League of Legends?
ELO refers to your hidden MMR (Matchmaking Rating). It determines who you play against and how much LP you gain/lose. Named after Arpad Elo, who created the rating system for chess.
What is considered high ELO in League of Legends?
High ELO = Diamond+ (top 2%). Mid ELO = Gold-Platinum (top 30%). Low ELO = Iron-Silver (bottom 70%). Streamers usually mean Master+ when they say high ELO.
How do I check my ELO in League of Legends?
Check your LP gains/losses, use an MMR checker like WhatIsMyMMR or our MMR Checker, or look at your opponents' ranks.
What is the difference between ELO and MMR?
ELO is the old term (Season 1-2). MMR is the current term. They're the same thing — your hidden skill rating.
How do I improve my ELO in League of Legends?
Win more games. Play consistently, dodge unwinnable lobbies (costs LP but not MMR), and don't tilt.
Want to start fresh with a clean MMR? Check out our unranked LoL accounts or browse all League of Legends accounts for instant access.
