Go can be scored by territory or area. Territory scoring (Japanese style) counts empty points you surround plus prisoners. Area scoring (Chinese style) counts those empty points plus your living stones on the board.
Both measure control of the board. Our Go score calculator supports Japanese (territory) and Chinese (area) modes.
What is territory?
Territory = empty intersections completely enclosed by your living stones.
Example: a single empty point surrounded on all sides by your stones is 1 point of territory.
Learn the counting steps in How to Count Territory.
What is area?
Area = territory plus all your living stones still on the board.
If you surround 10 empty points and have 20 living stones inside and around that region, your area-related total includes both components (counted as territory + stones in Chinese scoring).
Side-by-side
| Concept | Territory scoring | Area scoring |
|---|---|---|
| Empty surrounded points | Yes | Yes |
| Your stones on the board | No extra points | Yes — living stones count |
| Prisoners captured in play | +1 each | Already reflected in stone count |
| Fill your own territory during play | Loses a point (Japanese) | No penalty |
Full rules comparison: Japanese vs Chinese Scoring.
Why the winner is usually the same
Capturing a stone removes it from the board — in area scoring that is one fewer opponent stone; in territory scoring you also gain a prisoner point. Over a whole game these effects largely balance out, so both systems usually agree on the winner.
Differences of a point or two can happen, especially if one side filled their own territory during play under Japanese rules.
When might results differ?
- Late self-atari fills inside your own territory (Japanese penalty)
- Disputes over seki or dame — count carefully
- Arithmetic errors — use the calculator to double-check
Which should I learn?
Learn the system you will play with locally or online. Understanding both helps when reading international books or switching servers.
Related guides
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