Searching for fencing ratings explained? In USA Fencing, the letters U, E, D, C, B, and A describe a fencer’s rating in a specific weapon. They show competitive progress, but they are not the same as a tournament result, national points total, or national ranking. Here is how the system works and what a beginner should do next.
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What are fencing ratings?
A USA Fencing rating is a letter-based measure of competitive achievement in a weapon. U means unclassified, while E through A represent progressively higher ratings, with A at the top. Ratings are earned or renewed through eligible sanctioned competition results, and the year suffix records when the rating was earned. The current USA Fencing terminology is “rating,” although older resources may say “classification.”
For example, E26 means an E rating earned or renewed in 2026. A rating is tied to the weapon in which it was earned, so a fencer can have different ratings in foil, epee, and sabre. The rating gives coaches, organizers, and other fencers a useful way to understand competitive experience, but it is only one part of an athlete’s record.
USA Fencing’s current rating chart and Athlete Handbook and rules page are the best places to check the rules for the current season. Event groups, age eligibility, and qualification policies can be updated, so use the official event information when entering a tournament.
What do U, E, D, C, B, and A mean?
The letters form a progression from unclassified to the highest standard rating. A rating is not a grade from a coach and does not measure a fencer’s personality or potential. It is an official result-based designation recorded by USA Fencing after the applicable competition requirements are met.
| Rating | Plain-English meaning | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| U | Unclassified | The fencer has not yet earned an official letter rating in that weapon. |
| E | Entry-level rating | The fencer has met the requirements for an E rating at an eligible event. |
| D | Developing competitive rating | The fencer has achieved a higher result standard than an E in an eligible event. |
| C | Established competitive rating | The fencer has reached the C-level standard for the event group and placement. |
| B | Advanced competitive rating | The fencer has met a demanding B-level result standard in an eligible event. |
| A | Highest letter rating | The fencer has achieved the highest standard in the USA Fencing letter-rating system. |
The exact result needed depends on the event group, field size, required rated fencers, and placement. A first tournament does not automatically produce an E rating, and a strong practice session cannot change a rating. The official results submission and rating record are what matter.
How do you earn a fencing rating?
Fencers earn a rating by competing in a USA Fencing-sanctioned individual event whose rating group meets the required conditions, then placing high enough for a rating change. The event’s group, field size, number and level of rated competitors, referee requirements, and final placement all matter. A coach can help an athlete choose an appropriate event, but only the official rules and recorded results determine the rating.
Start with an eligible competition
Not every fencing activity awards a rating. Before registering, check the event listing and rating group. USA Fencing’s current rating guidance says:
- Division I NACs and National Championships are always Group A4 competitions.
- Division I-A National Championships are at least Group A3 competitions.
- Division II NACs and National Championships are at least Group B3 competitions.
- Division III NACs and National Championships are at least Group C3 competitions.
- Division, Section, and Regional Youth and Cadet competitions must meet or exceed C1 criteria to award rating changes.
These labels do not mean that every participant receives a new rating. They identify the standard used to evaluate eligible results. The event organizer must also submit complete, valid results through the USA Fencing process. If a rating does not appear in the official record, the fencer should contact the organizer or appropriate division official rather than rely on a third-party listing.
Understand the rating year
Ratings use a year suffix, such as D26 or B25. USA Fencing guidance states that ratings remain valid for four seasons after they are earned. If a rating is not renewed after that period, it reverts to the next lower letter with the then-current year at the start of the new season. This is why an older rating can change even when a fencer has not competed recently.
Think of the suffix as a freshness marker, not a second rating. B26 and B22 are both B ratings, but B26 is the more recent result. When reviewing a fencer’s record, check both the letter and the year.
What is the difference between a rating and a tournament result?
A tournament result is what happened at one event, such as finishing first in a pool-to-direct-elimination competition. A rating is an official letter designation awarded under USA Fencing’s rating rules after an eligible result is processed. The two are related, but they are not interchangeable. A medal or high finish may be valuable without changing a rating, depending on the event.
| Term | What it describes | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Tournament result | Performance at one specific event | Finished 7th at a sanctioned Division II event. |
| Rating | Official letter designation earned under event criteria | Has a D26 in epee. |
| National points | Points earned in events that contribute to a standings system | Earned points toward a youth or junior national standing. |
| National ranking | Position on a relevant USA Fencing standings list | Listed 42nd on a national rolling points standing. |
This distinction helps families set realistic goals. “Win a bout,” “finish in the top half,” “earn an E,” and “qualify for a national event” are different goals. A fencer can make progress toward one without completing the others.
How are national points and rankings different from ratings?
National points and rankings measure standings within a points system, while a rating is a letter designation based on result standards at eligible events. USA Fencing maintains regional point standings, regional open circuit standings, National Rolling Point Standings, National Team Point Standings, and Parafencing National Point Standings. Points are normally updated within five business days after a national point tournament or international competition.
A ranking is therefore relative to a group and time period. It can move when other athletes compete, when results roll off, or when a standings list is updated. A rating is not a place on that list. In practical terms:
- Rating: “What letter standard has this fencer achieved in this weapon?”
- Points: “How many eligible standings points has this fencer accumulated?”
- Ranking: “Where does this fencer sit among athletes in the relevant standings list?”
Read the USA Fencing point rules for the standings that apply to a particular age group or division. A coach can help a family decide whether the next priority should be learning competition routines, pursuing a rating, or entering point events.
Do ratings qualify a fencer for national competitions?
No. A rating can be one part of event eligibility, but having a B or A rating does not automatically qualify a fencer for every national competition. Qualification may depend on age category, membership status, points, regional results, division rules, deadlines, and the specific event’s current qualification pathway.
For the 2026-27 season, USA Fencing’s age and rating eligibility page says fencers competing under USA Fencing must be current competitive members in good standing. Its table before the February NAC lists the class bands for several events: Division I accepts A, B, or C; Division II accepts C, D, E, or U; and Division III accepts D, E, or U. Those class bands describe who may enter those event categories. They do not guarantee a place in a national championship or a particular result.
Age rules matter too. The same 2026-27 guidance uses birth-year categories and allows a fencer listed in a National age group point standing, as of the entry deadline, to enter the next older age category in specified circumstances. Because qualification details can change during a season, check the official event page, deadline, membership requirements, and qualification section before making travel plans.
For a deeper look at what a competition day involves, read FSA’s beginner fencing tournament guide. This ratings article is intentionally narrower: it explains the record a fencer builds, while the tournament guide explains the event experience.
How does a beginner move from U toward competition?
A beginner does not need to chase a letter immediately. The safest progression is to build sound fundamentals, practice with purpose, enter an appropriate first event, and use each result to plan the next training block. Fencing Sports Academy supports foil, epee, and sabre athletes from beginner classes through competitive development, so the pathway can grow with the athlete’s goals.
- Learn the foundation: Practice stance, footwork, distance, blade control, rules, and strip safety in a structured class.
- Choose a weapon and routine: Work with a coach to understand whether foil, epee, or sabre best fits the athlete’s interests and current development.
- Prepare for the first event: Confirm membership, registration, age eligibility, equipment, travel, and check-in details. FSA’s first-tournament preparation plan can help with the practical checklist.
- Compete before chasing a rating: Focus on executing a simple plan, learning the event flow, and responding well between bouts.
- Review the official result: Check the event results and USA Fencing record. If the event was eligible and the rating has not posted, ask the organizer or division official about the submission.
- Train for the next step: Use classes, private lessons, camps, and clinics to address one or two specific needs rather than treating the letter as the only measure of progress.
Private lessons can refine a technical or tactical issue, while camps and clinics can give an athlete concentrated training around a school break or competition period. FSA’s program overview explains the available classes, private lessons, camps, clinics, open bouting, and competition support. No responsible club can promise a particular rating, because ratings depend on the official event, field, results, and governing-body rules.
Fencing ratings explained: frequently asked questions
These quick answers summarize the most common questions about U, E, D, C, B, and A ratings. Always confirm a current event’s entry and qualification requirements with USA Fencing before registering.
What is the lowest fencing rating?
U is the unclassified designation and is the lowest point on the USA Fencing letter-rating ladder. A fencer starts without an earned letter rating and may receive a rating after meeting the requirements at an eligible sanctioned competition.
Is an A rating better than a B rating?
Yes. In the USA Fencing letter system, A is the highest letter rating, followed by B, C, D, and E. The year suffix, such as A26, identifies the year the rating was earned or renewed.
Can you earn a rating at your first tournament?
Possibly, but it is not automatic. The event must be eligible to award a rating, and the field, required rated competitors, placement, and other conditions must meet the applicable rating-group rules. A first event should be approached as a learning experience, not as a guaranteed rating opportunity.
Do ratings expire in fencing?
USA Fencing guidance says ratings are valid for four seasons after they are earned. If not renewed, a rating reverts to the next lower letter with the current year at the start of a new season. Check the current Athlete Handbook for the rule that applies to your record.
Is a fencing rating the same as a national ranking?
No. A rating is a letter designation based on eligible competition standards. A national ranking is a position on a points standings list. A fencer may have a rating without a national ranking, and a strong ranking position is not itself a letter rating.
What should a beginner do before entering a rated event?
Start with structured instruction, learn the rules and event requirements, confirm competitive membership and age eligibility, and speak with a coach about an appropriate first competition. A club can help with preparation, but USA Fencing determines official eligibility, results, ratings, and points.
Sources for current USA Fencing rules
Rules and event requirements can change by season. For the latest information, consult the USA Fencing Rating Chart, Age and Rating Eligibility page, Point Rules page, and the USA Fencing rules and Athlete Handbook page. For FSA program questions, use the Fencing Sports Academy contact page.