Free Cribbage Calculator

Instantly score your hand and crib with our easy-to-use tool. This free cribbage calculator provides a detailed points breakdown to help you master the game.

Cribbage Hand Scorer

Please select 5 unique cards.

Formula: Total Score = (Points from 15s) + (Points from Pairs) + (Points from Runs) + (Points from Flush) + (Point for Nobs)

What is a Free Cribbage Calculator?

A free cribbage calculator is a specialized digital tool designed to automate the process of counting points in a game of cribbage. Instead of manually identifying and summing up all the scoring combinations in a hand (four player cards plus one starter card), a player can simply input the cards, and the calculator instantly provides the total score along with a detailed breakdown. This includes points from fifteens, pairs, runs, flushes, and “his nobs”.

This tool is invaluable for beginners who are still learning the complex cribbage scoring rules, as it helps prevent errors and speeds up the game. For experienced players, a free cribbage calculator serves as a quick verifier, settling disputes and ensuring accuracy, especially with high-scoring or unusually complex hands. It’s an excellent learning aid that reinforces how different card combinations contribute to the final tally.

Common Misconceptions

A common misconception is that using a free cribbage calculator is “cheating.” In reality, it’s a utility for learning and accuracy, much like using a calculator for complex math. The goal of cribbage is strategy—in discarding to the crib and during the pegging phase—not just arithmetic. Using a calculator for the “show” simply ensures the counting phase is correct, allowing players to focus more on the strategic elements of the game.

Cribbage Scoring Formula and Mathematical Explanation

The total score of a cribbage hand is not a single formula, but the sum of points from several distinct categories. Our free cribbage calculator evaluates all of these simultaneously. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how the points are tallied from a 5-card hand (4 hand cards + 1 starter card).

1. Fifteens (2 points each): The calculator finds every unique combination of two or more cards that sum to exactly 15. Face cards (King, Queen, Jack) count as 10, Aces count as 1, and all other cards have their face value. Each combination scores 2 points.
2. Pairs (2 points each): It checks for pairs of cards with the same rank (e.g., two 7s). Each pair scores 2 points. Three of a kind (a “pair royal”) contains three unique pairs and scores 6 points. Four of a kind (a “double pair royal”) contains six unique pairs and scores 12 points.
3. Runs (1 point per card): The tool identifies sequences of three or more cards of consecutive rank (e.g., 5-6-7). Suit does not matter. A run of 3 scores 3 points, a run of 4 scores 4, and a run of 5 scores 5. The calculator also handles “double runs,” where a pair is included in a run (e.g., 5-6-6-7), which counts as two separate runs of 5-6-7 for 8 points total (6 for the runs, 2 for the pair).
4. Flush (4 or 5 points): If all four cards in the hand (not counting the starter) are of the same suit, it scores 4 points. If the starter card is also the same suit, it scores 5 points. For a crib hand, a flush only scores if all five cards (hand + starter) are the same suit, which is worth 5 points.
5. His Nobs (1 point): If the hand contains the Jack of the same suit as the starter card, it scores 1 point.

Explanation of variables used in cribbage scoring.

Variable	Meaning	Unit	Typical Range
Fifteens	Combinations of cards totaling 15	Points (2 per combo)	0 – 16
Pairs	Cards of the same rank	Points (2, 6, or 12)	0 – 12
Runs	3+ cards in sequence	Points (1 per card)	0 – 16
Flush	Cards of the same suit	Points (4 or 5)	0 – 5
Nobs	Jack matching starter suit	Points	0 – 1

Practical Examples (Real-World Use Cases)

Using a free cribbage calculator is the best way to understand complex hands. Here are two examples.

Example 1: The Double Run

• Hand: 7, 8, 8, 9
• Starter Card: 6

This is a classic high-scoring hand. Here’s the breakdown from the free cribbage calculator:

• Fifteens: 8 + 7 = 15 (two ways, using each 8). 9 + 6 = 15. That’s three 15s for 6 points.
• Pairs: One pair of 8s for 2 points.
• Runs: There are two runs of 6-7-8-9 (one with each 8). That’s two 4-card runs, scoring 8 points.
• Flush/Nobs: None.

Total Score: 6 (15s) + 2 (pair) + 8 (runs) = 16 points. A great hand!

Example 2: The Flush and Fifteens

• Hand: 4♦, 5♦, 6♦, Jack♦
• Starter Card: King♠

Let’s see what the cribbage hand calculator says:

• Fifteens: 4 + 5 + 6 = 15. The Jack and 5 also make 15. That’s two 15s for 4 points.
• Pairs: None.
• Runs: A run of 4-5-6 for 3 points.
• Flush: All four hand cards are Diamonds, so that’s a 4 point flush. (The starter doesn’t match, so it’s not 5 points).
• Nobs: None, the Jack and Starter suits don’t match.

Total Score: 4 (15s) + 3 (run) + 4 (flush) = 11 points.

How to Use This Free Cribbage Calculator

Our tool is designed for simplicity and speed. Follow these steps to get an accurate score in seconds.

1. Select Your Cards: Use the five dropdown menus at the top of the page. Select the four cards in your hand and the one starter card.
2. Check for Duplicates: The calculator will automatically flag if you’ve selected the same card twice. Ensure all five cards are unique.
3. Indicate Crib Hand (If Applicable): If you are scoring the dealer’s crib, check the “This is a crib hand” box. This is important for flush scoring rules.
4. View Instant Results: As you select cards, the total score and the breakdown (Fifteens, Pairs, Runs, etc.) update in real-time. There’s no need to even click “Calculate,” though the button is there for convenience.
5. Analyze the Breakdown: The primary result shows your total score in a large font. Below it, the intermediate values show you exactly where your points came from. The bar chart provides a quick visual representation of your hand’s strengths.
6. Reset or Copy: Click the “Reset” button to clear the cards and start over. Click “Copy Results” to copy a summary of your hand and score to your clipboard, perfect for sharing or keeping notes. More information on game rules can be found at our card game rules page.

Key Factors That Affect Cribbage Scores

Your score in the show is determined entirely by the cards you keep and the starter card. Understanding these factors is key to improving your game. This is where a free cribbage calculator can be a great study tool.

• Cards Totaling 5: Any card with a value of 5 is powerful because so many other cards (10, J, Q, K) have a value of 10, creating easy 15s.
• Consecutive Cards: Keeping cards close in rank (e.g., 6, 7, 8) gives you a high chance of making a run. A pair next to a sequence (e.g., 7, 7, 8) is even better, as it creates double runs. The cribbage points from runs are significant.
• Paired Cards: Keeping a pair is a guaranteed 2 points. Tossing a pair to your own crib is often a smart move, as it has a high chance of being improved by a third matching card.
• The Starter Card: The starter is a wild card that can make or break a hand. A hand that looks mediocre can become a powerhouse with the right cut, and vice-versa. This element of luck is central to cribbage.
• Tossing to the Crib: What you discard is as important as what you keep. When it’s your crib, you want to toss cards that have a high scoring potential (like 5s, or connected cards like 7-8). When it’s your opponent’s crib, you want to “balk” them by tossing cards that are unlikely to score, such as a 9 and a King.
• Hand Position (Dealer vs. Pone): The dealer gets to count the crib, an extra hand. Therefore, the non-dealer (pone) needs to be more aggressive in maximizing their own hand’s score, as the dealer has a built-in advantage. This strategic depth is why people learn cribbage.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Is a 19-point hand possible in cribbage?

No, it is famously impossible to score a hand of 19, 25, 26, or 27 points. Players will sometimes jokingly announce “19” when they have a zero-point hand.

2. What is the highest possible score in a cribbage hand?

The highest possible score is 29 points. This occurs with a hand of three 5s and a Jack, where the starter card is the fourth 5, and the Jack’s suit matches the starter card’s suit (for “nobs”). Our free cribbage calculator can verify this!

3. How does the flush rule differ for the hand and the crib?

In a player’s hand, a 4-card flush (all cards in the hand being the same suit) scores 4 points. In the crib, a 4-card flush scores zero points. For a flush to score in the crib, all five cards (the four crib cards plus the starter) must be the same suit, which is worth 5 points.

4. Does the order of cards matter for a run?

No, the order does not matter. A hand of 8-6-7 is still a run of three. The free cribbage calculator automatically sorts the cards by rank to identify all possible runs.

5. How are three of a kind scored?

Three of a kind (e.g., three Kings) is called a “pair royal” and scores 6 points. This is because it contains three distinct pairs (King 1 + King 2, King 1 + King 3, King 2 + King 3).

6. What is a “double-double run”?

This is a hand with two pairs in a sequence, like 4-4-5-5. With a starter card of a 6, this would score 16 points from runs alone (four separate runs of 4-5-6), plus 4 points for the two pairs.

7. Can I use this free cribbage calculator offline?

Yes, once the page is loaded, the calculator’s JavaScript runs entirely in your browser. You can save the page (Ctrl+S or Cmd+S) to your computer and open the HTML file to use it without an internet connection.

8. Does this tool also calculate pegging points?

No, this tool is a hand and crib scorer for the “show” phase of the game. It does not calculate points scored during the “pegging” or “play” phase. That requires a different kind of cribbage scoring logic.