How Are Spares Scored in Bowling? Spare Score Formula Explained
Learn exactly how spares are scored in bowling. Covers the spare formula, worked examples, 10th frame spare rules, and why spares matter for your average.
A spare in bowling is scored as 10 plus your next roll. It's recorded with a slash symbol ( / ) on the scorecard and represents knocking down all remaining pins on your second ball in a frame.
Track spare frames automatically with our Bowling Score Calculator.
What is a Spare in Bowling?
A spare (marked as /) occurs when you knock down the remaining pins on your second ball in a frame. The first ball leaves some pins standing; the second clears them all.
Spare Scoring Formula
Spare frame score = 10 + the pins knocked down on your next roll (bonus)
| After Spare, You Roll... | Spare Frame Score |
|---|---|
| 0 (gutter) | 10 + 0 = 10 |
| 5 | 10 + 5 = 15 |
| 7 | 10 + 7 = 17 |
| 10 (strike) | 10 + 10 = 20 (maximum) |
The maximum spare frame value is 20, achieved when the first ball after the spare is a strike.
Why the Spare Score Isn't Immediate
Like a strike, the spare frame cannot be finalized until the first ball of the next frame is thrown. The bonus information (next roll) isn't available until then.
Spare vs. Open Frame: Why It Matters
| Scenario | Frame Score |
|---|---|
| 7 then 2 (open) | 9 |
| 7 then / spare, next roll = 7 | 17 |
Converting that spare rather than leaving the frame open adds 8 extra points in this example. Over 10 frames, consistent spare conversion can add 50–80 points to your total compared to leaving open frames.
This is why spare shooting is the single most impactful skill for recreational bowlers to develop.
Spare in the 10th Frame
The 10th frame has a special spare rule:
- If you roll a spare (knock down all remaining pins on the second ball), you earn one bonus ball — a total of 3 balls in frame 10
- The bonus ball can be any value from 0 to 10 (including a strike)
- All three balls in frame 10 are summed directly as the frame total — no external bonus applies
Example: First ball = 7, second ball = / (spare), bonus ball = X (strike)
- 10th frame score = 7 + 3 + 10 = 20
Split Spares: The Hardest Shots in Bowling
A split is a pin leave where two or more pins remain standing with a gap between them after the first ball. Common splits include:
| Split | Common Name | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| 7–10 | "The Bedposts" | Extremely hard (pros convert ~1%) |
| 4–6–7–9–10 | "Greek Church" | Very hard |
| 5–7 | — | Moderate |
| 3–6–10 | — | Moderate |
Picking up a split counts as a spare if all pins are cleared on the second ball. Our calculator marks these as spares just like any other.
How to Improve Your Spare Game
- Use a systematic targeting system — aim at a specific arrow on the lane rather than the pin itself
- Adjust your starting position — move slightly left for right-side spares and right for left-side spares (for right-handed bowlers)
- Use a plastic spare ball — reactive resin balls hook; a plastic ball goes straighter for consistent spare shooting
- Practice single-pin spares — the 7-pin and 10-pin are the most common leaves and the most-missed
Related Tools and Articles
- Bowling Score Calculator — track every frame in real time
- How Are Strikes Scored in Bowling? — strike scoring explained
- How to Calculate a Bowling Score — full scoring walkthrough
- Bowling Scoring Rules Explained — complete USBC rules reference