How to Count the Score in Go
Scoring a Go game feels mysterious the first time, but it comes down to three steps: agree the game is over, remove any dead stones, and count each side's points. Whoever has more points, after White's komi is added, wins.
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When the game ends
A Go game ends when both players pass in a row, signalling that neither thinks there are useful moves left. At that point the borders of each area are settled, and you move on to counting. If you disagree about whether a group is alive, you can play it out to settle the question before scoring.
Remove dead stones, then count territory
First, take off any stones that cannot avoid capture — dead stones inside enemy areas — and treat them as captures. Then count territory: the empty points completely surrounded by one color. Each surrounded empty point is one point for that player.
- Territory = empty points your stones fully enclose.
- Japanese rules: add the enemy stones you captured to your territory.
- Chinese rules: add your own living stones on the board instead of captures.
Add komi and compare
Finally, add komi to White's total — the points that compensate White for playing second, commonly 6.5 or 7.5 depending on the ruleset. The half-point guarantees there are no ties. Compare the two totals, and the higher one wins. Here, the board counts it all for you when the game ends.
Frequently asked questions
- How do you know when a Go game is over?
- The game ends when both players pass consecutively. That means neither side sees a move worth playing, the borders are set, and it's time to remove dead stones and count.
- What are dead stones and how are they counted?
- Dead stones are stones stuck inside the opponent's area that cannot make life. At the end they're removed and counted as captures for the surrounding player, without needing to actually play out the capture.
- Why does White get komi when counting?
- Black plays first and gains an advantage from moving first, so White is given komi — a fixed number of points, commonly 6.5 or 7.5 — added to White's score to balance the game.
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