How DLS works
Each side has two resources: overs left and wickets in hand. The DLS table gives the percentage of resources a team has left for any combination; a full 50 overs with 10 wickets is 100%. When overs are lost, the target is scaled by the resources each side had.
- If Team 2 had fewer resources (R2 < R1): par score = S × R2 ÷ R1, and the target is par + 1 (rounded down first).
- If Team 2 had more (R2 > R1, for example when Team 1’s innings was cut short): target = S + G50 × (R2 − R1) ÷ 100 + 1, where G50 is the average 50-over score (245 for men’s internationals).
- Resources lost in an interruption = resources at the stop − resources with the reduced overs left, at the same wickets.
Important: international and franchise matches use the ICC’s DLS Professional Edition, computer software that isn’t public. This calculator uses the published Standard Edition table, which usually gives a target within a few runs of the official one. For a match decision, always follow the official scorer.
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Frequently asked questions
Is this the official DLS calculation?
It uses the published Duckworth–Lewis Standard Edition table. Official ICC matches use the Professional Edition software, so the official target can differ by a few runs.
What does par score mean?
The score Team 2 needs to be level with Team 1 at that point, given the resources it has used. One run more than par wins if play cannot restart.
Does DLS work for T20 matches?
Yes. A 20-over innings starts with 56.6% of a 50-over side’s resources, and the same method applies.
Why can the target go up after rain?
If Team 1 lost overs while it still had wickets in hand, Team 2 may end up with more resources, so the target is raised.