Snooker points calculator
Points remaining and snookers required, for 15, 10 and 6-red frames.
Scores are level. 147 points left on the table.
Free for clubs
SnookerFlow's referee pad keeps this running for you on every shot, with fouls, free balls and a free OBS stream overlay.
Score the whole match free →How snookers required is worked out
Every red still on the table is worth up to 8 points: the red itself plus the black after it. The six colours add 27 more. If a red has just been potted, the colour owed adds up to 7 on top. Once the reds are gone, only the colours that are left count.
If the player behind needs more than that to catch up, they need points from fouls. Each foul is worth at least 4, or the value of the ball on when that is higher, so the calculator divides the shortfall by that value and rounds up.
Worked example
Player A leads 52 to 18 with 3 reds left and a red on. There are 3 × 8 + 27 = 51 points on the table and the lead is 34, so Player B can still win without snookers. If Player A pots two more reds and two blacks to lead 68 to 18 with one red left, there are 35 points left and Player B, 50 behind, needs 4 snookers.
Running a Shoot-Out night? Try the free Shoot-Out clock.
Frequently asked questions
- How many points are left in a frame of snooker?
- With all 15 reds on the table there are 147 points available: 8 for each red followed by the black (120), plus 27 for the colours. Each red potted takes 8 off that maximum. Once the reds are gone only the colours remain: 27 from the yellow, 25 from the green, 22 from the brown, 18 from the blue, 13 from the pink and 7 for the black.
- What does "snookers required" mean?
- When a player is further behind than the points left on the table, they cannot win by potting alone. They need their opponent to give away points through fouls, usually by being snookered. The calculator divides the shortfall by the smallest foul value to show how many fouls are needed.
- Why is the foul value sometimes more than 4?
- A foul is worth at least 4 points, or the value of the ball on if that is higher. Once only the blue, pink and black are left, the ball on is worth 5, 6 or 7, so each foul gives away more and fewer snookers are needed.
- What happens if the scores are level after the black?
- The black is re-spotted and the players play for it. The calculator shows this as "needs every remaining ball" when the gap equals the points left, because clearing the table would tie the frame.
- Does it work for 6-red and 10-red snooker?
- Yes. Pick 10 or 6 reds and the maximum drops to 107 or 75. The colours still add up to 27.