What does the DLS method solve?

The Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method creates fair targets when rain or delays reduce overs. It balances two resources: overs remaining and wickets in hand.

Why is it better than a straight run-rate reduction?

Teams change intent when overs are cut, scoring faster but risking wickets. DLS models that behavior through resource percentages rather than a linear run-rate cut.

What is G50 and when does it matter?

G50 is the average score for a team batting first in a 50-over innings. It is used only when Team 2 has more resources than Team 1, increasing the target accordingly.

Is this the Standard or Professional DLS edition?

This calculator uses the Standard DLS resource table. The Professional edition is proprietary and not publicly available.

How is the DLS par score different from the target score?

The par score represents the exact matching score representing a draw. The target score is the par score rounded down plus 1 run to win.

What happens in a DLS tie or draw?

If Team 2 matches the par score but cannot exceed it, the game is officially declared a draw or tie.

What is the minimum number of overs required to achieve a DLS result?

In One Day Internationals, both sides must face a minimum of 20 overs. In Twenty20 matches, the minimum is 5 overs per side.

Who created the Duckworth-Lewis method?

It was developed by English statisticians Frank Duckworth and Tony Lewis in 1997. In 2014, Australian academic Steven Stern updated the formula, renaming it the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method.

Can the DLS method be applied to Test cricket?

No, DLS is only used in limited-overs cricket (ODIs and T20s) because Test matches do not have a set limit on overs, and wickets/remaining overs do not govern the game in the same mathematical way.

What does G50 represent in the DLS calculation?

G50 is the average score expected from a team batting first in a full 50-over match. It acts as a normalization constant when the chasing team ends up with more resources than the first team.

Sports Calculator

Duckworth-Lewis Calculator

After a decade of match analysis, the most consistent way to set a fair rain-affected target is to track resources, not just run rate. This calculator applies the Standard Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method to produce a clean target and match result.

Duckworth-Lewis

Adjust targets for rain-affected cricket matches

Maximum Overs

Interruption Type

Team 1 Overs Available

Team 1 Runs

G50 Average Score

Used only when Team 2 has more resources than Team 1.

Team 2 Overs Available

Team 2 Runs (optional)

Add Team 2 runs to determine win, loss, or draw.

Results

Enter match details to calculate DLS

What problem does DLS solve?

In limited-overs cricket, both teams plan around 50 overs and 10 wickets. When rain removes overs, the chasing side faces a different risk-reward equation. DLS corrects for that by estimating the true scoring resources available.

The method treats overs and wickets as a combined resource pool. Fewer overs push teams to score faster, while fewer wickets reduce scoring potential. DLS balances both so the target stays fair.

DLS Formulas & Calculations

Depending on the resource comparison between teams, DLS chooses one of two math logic paths:

When Team 2 has FEWER resources than Team 1 (R2 < R1):

Par Score = Team 1 Runs × (R2 ÷ R1)

When Team 2 has MORE resources than Team 1 (R2 > R1):

Par Score = Team 1 Runs + G50 × (R2 - R1) ÷ 100

R1 and R2 represent the resource percentages from the Standard DLS table. The target to win is the par score rounded down, plus one run.

Tactical & Match Outcome Implications

In limited-overs cricket matches affected by weather, understanding the target adjustments dictates game strategy:

Resource-Aware Chasing: Knowing your exact DLS par targets over-by-over allows the chasing team to adjust their scoring rate and manage wicket conservation (resources) effectively.
Defensive Bowling Targets: Bowling teams can align their field placements and tactics to prioritize taking wickets, which dramatically drops the chasing team's resource percentages.
Rain Interruption Risks: Failing to stay ahead of the DLS par score curve when rain is imminent can cause a sudden, irreversible match loss. The current over's resource threshold must be carefully monitored.

Minimum Over Requirements by Format

For DLS to apply and a formal match result to be declared, the chasing team must face a minimum number of overs (unless they are bowled out earlier):

Match Format	Minimum Overs (Both Teams)	Standard Total Overs
Twenty20 (T20)	5 overs	20 overs
One Day International (ODI)	20 overs	50 overs
The Hundred (UK)	25 balls	100 balls

Benefits of Using the DLS Calculator

Four Interruption Profiles Calculate targets for Team 2 delayed starts, cut-short innings, and mid-innings stops for both Team 1 and Team 2.

Exact Resource Percentages Loads the standard Duckworth-Lewis resource matrix to output precise resource figures down to 0.1%.

Win margin predictions Optionally enter Team 2's runs to automatically declare which team won and by what margin.

Adjustable G50 constants Configure custom G50 baseline score constants (default 245) depending on local tournament regulations.

Example Calculations

Practical match scenarios that show how DLS resources and targets are computed.

Example Scenario 1 — Team 2 innings delayed

Team 1: 231 runs from 30 overs. Team 2: 28 overs available.

R1 (30 overs, 0 wkts) = 75.1%

R2 (28 overs, 0 wkts) = 71.8%

Par = 231 × (71.8 / 75.1) = 220.85 runs

Target to win = 221 runs (220 is a draw)

Example Scenario 2 — Team 2 innings cut short

Team 1: 268 from 50. Team 2: 229 from 45 overs, 6 wkts down.

Overs remaining = 5, remaining resources = 14.3%

R2 used = 100 - 14.3 = 85.7%

Par = 268 × (85.7 / 100) = 229.68 runs

Target to win = 230 runs (229 is a draw)

Example Scenario 3 — Team 2 innings interrupted

Team 1: 273 from 50. Team 2: stop at 19 overs, 2 wkts; resume with 17 overs left.

Resources at stop: 31 overs left, 2 wkts = 68.6%

Resources at restart: 17 overs left, 2 wkts = 46.7%

R2 = 100 - 68.6 + 46.7 = 78.1%

Par = 273 × (78.1 / 100) = 213.21, target = 214 runs

Example Scenario 4 — Team 1 innings interrupted

Team 1: stop with 16 overs left, 2 wkts; resume with 8 overs left. Team 2 gets 42 overs.

Team 1 resources: 100 - 44.7 + 25.5 = 80.8%

Team 2 resources: 42 overs, 0 wkts = 91.7%

Par = 170 + 245 × (91.7 - 80.8) / 100 = 196.71

Target to win = 197 runs

Standard DLS Resource Table

Overs_Left	Wkts 0	Wkts 1	Wkts 2	Wkts 3	Wkts 4	Wkts 5	Wkts 6	Wkts 7	Wkts 8	Wkts 9
50	100.0	93.4	85.1	74.9	62.7	49.0	34.9	22.0	11.9	4.7
49	99.1	92.6	84.5	74.4	62.5	48.9	34.9	22.0	11.9	4.7
48	98.1	91.7	83.8	74.0	62.2	48.8	34.9	22.0	11.9	4.7
47	97.1	90.9	83.2	73.5	61.9	48.6	34.9	22.0	11.9	4.7
46	96.1	90.0	82.5	73.0	61.6	48.5	34.8	22.0	11.9	4.7
45	95.0	89.1	81.8	72.5	61.3	48.4	34.8	22.0	11.9	4.7
44	93.9	88.2	81.0	72.0	61.0	48.3	34.8	22.0	11.9	4.7
43	92.8	87.3	80.3	71.4	60.7	48.1	34.7	22.0	11.9	4.7
42	91.7	86.3	79.5	70.9	60.3	47.9	34.7	22.0	11.9	4.7
41	90.5	85.3	78.7	70.3	59.9	47.8	34.6	22.0	11.9	4.7
40	89.3	84.2	77.8	69.6	59.5	47.6	34.6	22.0	11.9	4.7
39	88.0	83.1	76.9	69.0	59.1	47.4	34.5	22.0	11.9	4.7
38	86.7	82.0	76.0	68.3	58.7	47.1	34.5	21.9	11.9	4.7
37	85.4	80.9	75.0	67.6	58.2	46.9	34.4	21.9	11.9	4.7
36	84.1	79.7	74.1	66.8	57.7	46.6	34.3	21.9	11.9	4.7
35	82.7	78.5	73.0	66.0	57.2	46.4	34.2	21.9	11.9	4.7
34	81.3	77.2	72.0	65.2	56.6	46.1	34.1	21.9	11.9	4.7
33	79.8	75.9	70.9	64.4	56.0	45.8	34.0	21.9	11.9	4.7
32	78.3	74.6	69.7	63.5	55.4	45.4	33.9	21.9	11.9	4.7
31	76.7	73.2	68.6	62.5	54.8	45.1	33.7	21.9	11.9	4.7
30	75.1	71.8	67.3	61.6	54.1	44.7	33.6	21.8	11.9	4.7
29	73.5	70.3	66.1	60.5	53.4	44.2	33.4	21.8	11.9	4.7
28	71.8	68.8	64.8	59.5	52.6	43.8	33.2	21.8	11.9	4.7
27	70.1	67.2	63.4	58.4	51.8	43.3	33.0	21.7	11.9	4.7
26	68.3	65.6	62.0	57.2	50.9	42.8	32.8	21.7	11.9	4.7
25	66.5	63.9	60.5	56.0	50.0	42.2	32.6	21.6	11.9	4.7
24	64.6	62.2	59.0	54.7	49.0	41.6	32.3	21.6	11.9	4.7
23	62.7	60.4	87.4	53.4	48.0	40.9	32.0	21.5	11.9	4.7
22	60.7	58.6	55.8	52.0	47.0	40.2	31.6	21.4	11.9	4.7
21	58.7	56.7	54.1	50.6	45.8	39.4	31.2	21.3	11.9	4.7
20	56.6	54.8	52.4	49.1	44.6	38.6	30.8	21.2	11.9	4.7
19	54.4	52.8	50.5	47.5	43.4	37.7	30.3	21.1	11.9	4.7
18	52.2	50.7	48.6	45.9	42.0	36.8	29.8	20.9	11.9	4.7
17	49.9	48.5	46.7	44.1	40.6	35.8	29.2	20.7	11.9	4.7
16	47.6	46.3	44.7	42.3	39.1	34.7	28.5	20.5	11.8	4.7
15	45.2	44.1	42.6	40.5	37.6	33.5	27.8	20.2	11.8	4.7
14	42.7	41.7	40.4	38.5	35.9	32.2	27.0	19.9	11.8	4.7
13	40.2	39.3	38.1	36.5	34.2	30.8	26.1	19.5	11.7	4.7
12	37.6	36.8	35.8	34.3	32.3	29.4	25.1	19.0	11.6	4.7
11	34.9	34.2	33.4	32.1	30.4	27.8	24.0	18.5	11.5	4.7
10	32.1	31.6	30.8	29.8	28.3	26.1	22.8	17.9	11.4	4.7
8	26.4	26.0	25.5	24.8	23.8	22.3	19.9	16.2	10.9	4.7
7	23.4	23.1	22.7	22.2	21.4	20.1	18.2	15.2	10.5	4.7
6	20.3	20.1	19.8	19.4	18.8	17.8	16.4	13.9	10.1	4.6
5	17.2	17.0	16.8	16.5	16.1	15.4	14.3	12.5	9.4	4.6
4	13.9	13.8	13.7	13.5	13.2	12.7	12.0	10.7	8.4	4.5
3	10.6	10.5	10.4	10.3	10.2	9.9	9.5	8.7	7.2	4.2
2	7.2	7.1	7.1	7.0	7.0	6.8	6.6	6.2	5.5	3.7
1	3.6	3.6	3.6	3.6	3.6	3.5	3.5	3.4	3.2	2.5
0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0

Source: DLS resource table derived from a CC BY-SA image credited to Chintan9 .

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the DLS method solve?: The Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method creates fair targets when rain or delays reduce overs. It balances two resources: overs remaining and wickets in hand.
Why is it better than a straight run-rate reduction?: Teams change intent when overs are cut, scoring faster but risking wickets. DLS models that behavior through resource percentages rather than a linear run-rate cut.
What is G50 and when does it matter?: G50 is the average score for a team batting first in a 50-over innings. It is used only when Team 2 has more resources than Team 1, increasing the target accordingly.
Is this the Standard or Professional DLS edition?: This calculator uses the Standard DLS resource table. The Professional edition is proprietary and not publicly available.
How is the DLS par score different from the target score?: The par score represents the exact matching score representing a draw. The target score is the par score rounded down plus 1 run to win.
What happens in a DLS tie or draw?: If Team 2 matches the par score but cannot exceed it, the game is officially declared a draw or tie.
What is the minimum number of overs required to achieve a DLS result?: In One Day Internationals, both sides must face a minimum of 20 overs. In Twenty20 matches, the minimum is 5 overs per side.
Who created the Duckworth-Lewis method?: It was developed by English statisticians Frank Duckworth and Tony Lewis in 1997. In 2014, Australian academic Steven Stern updated the formula, renaming it the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method.
Can the DLS method be applied to Test cricket?: No, DLS is only used in limited-overs cricket (ODIs and T20s) because Test matches do not have a set limit on overs, and wickets/remaining overs do not govern the game in the same mathematical way.
What does G50 represent in the DLS calculation?: G50 is the average score expected from a team batting first in a full 50-over match. It acts as a normalization constant when the chasing team ends up with more resources than the first team.