Cribbage Hand Calculator — Score Any Hand Instantly
Free cribbage hand calculator. Enter any 4-card hand and starter card to instantly calculate the score, see all scoring combinations, and learn what you might have missed.
Cribbage Hand Calculator
Enter any cribbage hand and starter card below to calculate the exact score with a full breakdown of all scoring combinations.
Keeping score of a whole game? The cribbage score keeper tracks everyone to 121 and adds counted hands for you.
How the Calculator Works
Our cribbage hand calculator evaluates all possible scoring combinations in your hand:
Scoring Categories Checked
- Fifteens — Every combination of cards totaling exactly 15 (2 points each)
- Pairs — Every pair of same-rank cards (2 points each)
- Runs — Every sequence of 3+ consecutive cards (1 point per card)
- Flush — Four cards of the same suit in hand (4 points), or all five cards matching (5 points)
- Nobs — Jack in hand matching the starter card’s suit (1 point)
Why Use a Calculator?
Even experienced players occasionally miss scoring combinations, especially:
- Hidden fifteens involving 3 or more cards
- Double and triple runs that create multiple scoring sequences
- Fifteens within runs that are easy to overlook
Using the calculator after counting your own hand helps you identify patterns you might miss during play.
Common Hand Scores
| Hand | Starter | Score | Combinations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5-5-5-J♠ | 5♠ | 29 | 8 fifteens (16) + double pair royal (12) + nobs (1) |
| 5-5-5-J | 5 | 28 | 8 fifteens (16) + double pair royal (12) |
| 6-7-7-8 | 8 | 24 | Multiple fifteens + pairs + double runs |
| 5-10-J-Q | K | 21 | Multiple fifteens + run of 4 |
| 4-5-6-6 | 5 | 24 | Multiple fifteens + pairs + double runs |
Tips for Accurate Counting
- Count fifteens first — systematically check all 2-card, 3-card, 4-card, and 5-card combinations
- Count pairs second — check for pairs, pairs royal (trips), and double pairs royal (quads)
- Count runs third — look for the longest run, then check for multiples
- Check flush — are all four hand cards the same suit?
- Check nobs — does any Jack match the starter’s suit?
Practice counting with our calculator to build speed and accuracy!
More cribbage tools:
- Cribbage Counting Practice — Practice counting complete hands
- Cribbage Score Keeper — Keep score of a real game to 121
- Play a game to apply your knowledge