Backgammon Pip Count Calculator
Reviewed by Hamza Gujjar, Algorithm Architect & Software Developer
Last updated: July 27, 2026The standard way to measure who's ahead
Pip count totals the individual single-point moves every checker still needs to reach home and bear off - comparing both players' totals is the standard way to judge who is ahead in the race, independent of how complex the board position looks.
Worked example
For a standard backgammon starting position (2 checkers on the 24-point, 5 on the 13-point, 3 on the 8-point, 5 on the 6-point):
Pip Count = 167 pips
This result matches the well-documented standard backgammon starting pip count of 167 exactly - both players start with an identical pip count, since the starting position is symmetric, confirming the calculation.