Orbit Grid scoring explained
Orbit Grid rewards clean deduction over raw speed. Here is the full formula, with nothing hidden.
The formula
| Component | Effect |
|---|---|
| Base score | 1000 |
| Each rule-breaking placement | −60 |
| Each hint used | −80 |
| Time after the 3-minute grace period | −1 per 2 seconds (max −200) |
| Floor for any completed puzzle | 100 |
Why time matters least
Two minutes of extra thinking costs 60 points — exactly one mistake. A three-minute grace period means most players lose nothing at all to the clock, and the time penalty can never exceed 200 points no matter how long you take. If you are unsure about a placement, checking is mathematically the better move.
Worked examples
- Solved in 2:10, no mistakes, no hints: 1000.
- Solved in 4:00, one mistake, no hints: 1000 − 60 − 30 = 910.
- Solved in 6:30, two mistakes, one hint: 1000 − 120 − 80 − 105 = 695.
- Solved in 20:00, six mistakes, three hints: the floor applies — 100.
How the result is verified
Scores are calculated on the server, not in your browser. The clock starts when the server records your start and the final board is checked against the stored solution before any points are awarded, so an impossible time or an edited score cannot reach the leaderboard. The solution itself is never sent to the browser while the puzzle is live.
Streaks
Completing the daily puzzle on consecutive UTC days builds a streak, whatever you score. Missing a day resets it to one on your next completion. Streak badges unlock at 3, 7, 30 and 100 days. A streak is tied to your account, so signing in is what keeps it safe across devices.
Leaderboards
The daily leaderboard ranks by points, with ties broken by fastest total time. The weekly board adds up the last seven daily results. Only signed-in, server-verified completions appear.
Common questions
- How is the Orbit Grid score calculated?
- Every completed daily puzzle starts at 1000 points. Each rule-breaking placement costs 60 points, each hint costs 80 points, and after a three-minute grace period you lose 1 point per 2 seconds, capped at 200. A completed puzzle never scores below 100.
- Is Orbit Grid scored on speed or accuracy?
- Accuracy. A single mistake costs the same as two minutes of extra thinking, so a careful slow solve almost always beats a fast messy one.
- Do hints ruin my score?
- A hint costs 80 points but still leaves a strong result, and it never breaks your streak. Finishing with a hint is worth far more than not finishing.
- Does practice affect my ranked score?
- No. Practice puzzles are unranked and never change your score, streak or leaderboard position.