How this calculator works
Every combined-event performance is converted to points with a curve of the form a x (b - performance)^c for track events and a x (performance - b)^c for jumps and throws. The constants differ by event and by the women outdoor or men indoor programme. Track performances are measured in seconds, jumps in centimetres and throws in metres. The result is truncated to a whole number, never rounded up. A mark slower than b on the track, or shorter than b in the field, scores zero. Hand timing adds 0.24 seconds to track marks before the curve is applied.
Formula
Track: points = floor(a x (b - time in seconds)^c). Jumps: points = floor(a x (height or distance in cm - b)^c). Throws: points = floor(a x (distance in metres - b)^c). Total = the sum of the seven event scores.
Worked example
For the women outdoor heptathlon, 13.50 s in the 100 m hurdles scores 1,050 points, 1.70 m in the high jump scores 855 and 12.00 m in the shot put scores 661. The other four events add to the total in the table. The same marks with hand timing would add 0.24 s to each track time before scoring.
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Frequently asked questions
Why are some marks worth zero?
Each event has a zero-point standard. A performance at or beyond that standard is outside the positive part of the curve, so the official tables assign zero rather than a negative or invented score.
Why does hand timing add 0.24 seconds?
Hand timers start and stop with human reaction, which usually produces a faster time than automatic timing. The published correction adjusts hand times before scoring.
Why are points truncated rather than rounded?
The official scoring tables discard the fraction. A calculated 674.9 becomes 674 points, not 675, so small differences can change a total by one point.
Does this cover the decathlon?
No. This page covers the women outdoor heptathlon and the men indoor heptathlon. Men outdoor decathlon and women indoor pentathlon use a different set of events and constants.