What Are LP?
LP stands for League Points. These are the points you earn by winning ranked games and lose when you lose. You need to accumulate 100 LP to move up a division, and if you hit 0 LP and keep losing, you drop down. It's the system that drives your visible rank in League of Legends.
Sounds simple, but there are many details most players don't know about. Let's break down every part.
LP Gains and Losses
After every ranked game, you gain or lose LP. The amount isn't fixed and depends mainly on your MMR (Matchmaking Rating) compared to your visible rank.
- MMR high for your rank: you gain more LP per win (+25 or more) and lose less per loss (-15 or less).
- MMR aligned: you gain and lose similar amounts, around 20-22 LP.
- MMR low for your rank: you gain little (+15 or less) and lose a lot (-25 or more).
If you notice your gains are broken, we have a dedicated guide on that problem with strategies to fix it.
Promotions
Between Divisions (Same Tier)
To move up from one division to another within the same tier (for example, Silver IV to Silver III), you just need to hit 100 LP. There's no promo series. You reach 100, automatically promote, and start the new division with LP based on your performance.
Between Tiers
To move up a tier (for example, Gold I to Platinum IV), you need a promotion series. You must win a certain number of games in the series. If you lose it, you drop back to 75 LP and can try again.
Up through Gold, there's a Promo Helper system that gives you a free win in the series if you previously failed it, making the process less frustrating for newer players.
Demotions
Between Divisions
If you're at 0 LP and lose a game, the loss LP is deducted. If the amount exceeds your current LP (which is 0), you drop to the previous division. For example, if you're at 0 LP in Silver III and lose 20 LP, you fall to Silver IV with roughly 80-85 LP.
Between Tiers
Tier demotions (for example, Platinum IV to Gold I) work differently. There's a protection buffer that gives you a few grace games before demoting you. But if you keep losing at 0 LP, you'll eventually fall. When you demote a tier, you land at 25, 50, or 75 LP depending on how far the system thinks your real level is from your rank.
Dodging: What You Lose and What You Don't
Dodging (leaving champion select before the game starts) has specific consequences:
- First dodge of the day: -3 LP and a 6-minute queue timer
- Second dodge: -10 LP and a longer timer
- In Master+: dodges count as full losses starting in 2026
The key point: dodging does not affect your MMR. You lose LP but your hidden rating stays the same. That's why many players consider dodging bad-looking lobbies a valid strategy to protect their MMR.
If you're in a promotion series, a dodge counts as a loss in the series. Keep that in mind.
Decay: Inactivity Has a Cost
Decay only applies to players Diamond and above. If you stop playing ranked for a while, you start losing LP automatically:
- Diamond: decay starts after 28 days of inactivity. You lose 50 LP per day without playing. A single game resets the timer.
- Master and above: decay starts after 14 days. You lose 75 LP per day, and a single game only gives you one extra day of protection.
Decay can demote you through tiers, but only down to Emerald I at 75 LP at most. Your MMR is not affected by decay, only your visible rank.
If you're below Diamond, you don't need to worry about decay. You can take a week off with no consequences.
The Aegis of Valor System (2026)
Riot introduced the Aegis of Valor system in 2026 to compensate for autofill. If you get assigned a position you didn't choose and play decently (C-tier performance or better), you receive LP protection or a bonus on your next win. It's Riot's attempt to make autofill not feel like a death sentence for your LP.
Tips to Maximize Your LP Gains
Play Consistently
Long win streaks make your MMR climb quickly, which improves your LP gains. But to maintain streaks, you need consistency: a small champion pool, good mental state, and playing during your best hours.
Check when the best time is for you with the Best Time to Play tool.
Don't Play on Tilt
Every loss while tilted is a double hit: you lose LP and drop MMR. If you've lost 2 games in a row, consider stopping. The Tilt Detector can help you recognize when your performance is slipping.
Dodge Intelligently
If your team has a player on an 8-game losing streak or someone trolling from champ select, dodging 3 LP is better than losing 20 LP and MMR. But don't overdo it or you'll lose more LP than you save.
Focus on Improving
At the end of the day, the best way to have high LP gains is to have high MMR. And the only way to have high MMR is to play well consistently. Focus on your gameplay and the LP will sort themselves out.