Computer Rating vs Self Rating: NTRP Rating Types (S, C, M, A, T)
The letter next to your NTRP level tells you how the rating was assigned. C is a computer year-end rating produced by the USTA algorithm, S is a self-rating you chose yourself, M is a mixed, manual, or moved rating, A is an appealed rating, and T is a tournament or other rating. The computer rating (C) is generally the most authoritative because it is built from actual match results.
What each letter means
| Letter | Meaning |
|---|---|
| C | Computer year-end rating, generated by the USTA algorithm from your match results |
| S | Self-rating, chosen by the player when no computer rating exists |
| M | Mixed, manual, or moved rating assigned outside the standard computer process |
| A | Appealed rating, the result of a successful rating appeal |
| T | Tournament or other rating from a non-league source |
The letter is part of your rating, not just a footnote. Captains and opponents read it to understand how solid the number behind it is.
Self rating versus computer rating
A self-rating (S) is what you assign yourself when you first enter league play and have no match history for the algorithm to use. It is a starting estimate, so the USTA watches self-rated players closely and can adjust them if results suggest the self-rating was too low.
A computer rating (C) replaces the self-rating once you have played enough matches. Because it is built from your actual expected-versus-actual results, it is treated as the more reliable figure and is the one published at year-end. A self-rated player who clearly outperforms their level can be moved up during the season rather than waiting for year-end, which is one way the manual or moved (M) type can appear.
Why the letter matters
The letter signals how the rating was earned. A computer rating (C) carries the most weight because it reflects real match data. A self-rating (S) is provisional. An appealed rating (A) means a player formally challenged a number and the challenge was granted. Whatever the letter, the underlying engine still works the same way: a hidden dynamic rating updated after every match, with only the year-end level published, rounded to the nearest half point. The letter describes the source of the published number, not a different rating system. Estimating that hidden number from your scores is what this site's estimator is for.
Frequently asked questions
Is a C rating better than an S rating?
Not better in skill, but more authoritative. A C rating is computed from your real match results, while an S rating is a self-estimate used until you have enough matches for the computer to rate you.
What does the A letter mean on my rating?
A marks an appealed rating. It means you went through the USTA appeal process and your rating was adjusted as a result of that review.
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