How MMR Works in League of Legends?

If you’ve ever played on a LoL and felt confused about why you're gaining or losing so much LP, the answer lies in something behind the scenes: MMR, or Matchmaking Rating. Understanding how MMR works in League of Legends is essential for players who want to climb the ranked ladder efficiently and avoid unnecessary frustration.

 

What Is MMR in League of Legends?

MMR stands for Matchmaking Rating, and it’s a hidden value assigned to your based on your performance in ranked and normal games. Riot Games uses this number to match you with players of similar skill levels, regardless of your visible rank. Every time you play a game, win or lose, your MMR shifts slightly to reflect your performance and adjust future matchups.

Unlike LP (League Points), MMR is not visible to players, but it’s arguably more important because it determines:

• The skill level of your teammates and opponents.

• How much LP you gain or lose per match.

• Whether you get matched against players higher or lower than your current division.

How MMR is Calculated

MMR starts adjusting from your very first ranked placements. If you win most of your placement games, your MMR will be much higher than someone who loses them. After that, every win increases your MMR, and every loss decreases it. The bigger the difference between your MMR and your opponents', the more volatile your gains or losses will be.

For example:

• If you beat someone with a higher MMR, your own rating gets a bigger boost.

• If you lose to players with lower MMR, you’ll drop more significantly.

MMR is also influenced by win streaks or loss streaks. Winning multiple games in a row can boost your MMR rapidly, while constant losses can tank it just as fast.

MMR vs. LP – What’s the Difference?

While LP is your visible progress in ranked, MMR is your true matchmaking skill rating. These two are loosely connected but can often be out of sync.

• High MMR, Low LP: You’ll gain more LP per win and lose less per loss. You might also skip divisions or even entire tiers.
  Low MMR, High LP: You’ll gain very little LP and lose a lot, meaning you’re "ranked too high" for your skill level.

When people buy Lol s, they often check the MMR before making a purchase. A high MMR can help players skip promotions and climb faster, while low MMR s are usually harder to progress with.

Normal Games Have Their Own MMR

Many players don’t realize that normal (non-ranked) matches also have a separate MMR system. This explains why even if you’re unranked, you might get matched against experienced or high-elo players if your normal game MMR is high. The same principle applies to ARAM and other game modes — each mode has its own MMR bracket.

How to Improve Your MMR

Improving your MMR is simple in theory: win more than you lose. But here are some practical tips:

1. Avoid Duo Queue with Lower MMR Players – This can average your MMR down and create harder games.

2. Focus on One Role and Champion Pool – Consistency leads to better performance and more wins.

3. Take Breaks During Loss Streaks – Losing streaks crush MMR fast.

4. Smurfing? Win Consistently – If you’re playing on a new LoL , your early performance matters a lot.

Final Thoughts

MMR is one of the most important — yet misunderstood — systems in League of Legends. It quietly controls your matchmaking, your LP gains, and your ranked experience overall. Focus on improvement, win consistently, and your MMR (and LP) will follow.