Komi is compensation points added to White’s score because Black plays the first move. Without komi, Black would win slightly more often on an empty board.
Set komi on our Go score calculator — default 6.5, with quick presets for 5.5 and 7.5, or enter any value your rules require.
Why Black needs no komi
The first move is a small but real advantage. Komi balances that so neither color is favored when both players are equal strength.
Why half-points (6.5, 7.5)?
Integer komi (e.g. 6 points) can produce a tie. Half-point komi (6.5, 7.5) breaks ties — one side always wins by at least half a point.
Our calculator accepts decimal komi and snaps to half-point steps for convenience.
Common komi values
| Setting | Typical komi |
|---|---|
| Casual / club play | 5.5 – 7.5 |
| Japanese rules (common) | 6.5 |
| Chinese rules (common) | 7.5 |
| Some online servers | 6.5 or 7.5 |
| Handicap games | Often 0 or reduced — see Handicap Stones |
Always confirm komi before the game starts.
Komi and different scoring systems
Komi is added to White in Japanese, Chinese, and AGA scoring on our calculator. The scoring system changes what you count (territory, prisoners, living stones) — not whether White receives komi.
Read Japanese vs Chinese Scoring for how the rest of the total is built.
Handicap games
When Black receives handicap stones, komi is often reduced to zero or a smaller value because the extra stones already favor Black. House rules vary — agree at the start.
Using the calculator
- Open the Go score calculator
- Enter territory and prisoners (Japanese/AGA) or territory and living stones (Chinese)
- Set komi for White to match your agreement
- The winner updates automatically
Related guides
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