Find the Right Ranking and Understand Its Numbers

For international table tennis rankings, use the official ITTF rankings page and select the discipline and list date. A world ranking measures standing by counted tournament points—not a universal level of ability. If you want a US player’s match-based rating, use USATT’s ratings lookup instead; that is a different system from both ITTF world rankings and USATT ranking points.

Choose the number you need; the finder shows the official source and how to interpret it.

ITTF Singles Leaders for September 28, 2026

The ITTF page checked on October 4, 2026 lists Week 40, dated September 28, 2026. Wang Chuqin leads men’s singles with 8,157 points, while Wang Manyu leads women’s singles with 9,115 points.

Men’s Singles Top Five

Rank	Player	Points
1	Wang Chuqin	8,157
2	Felix Lebrun	7,479
3	Sora Matsushima	6,930
4	Tomokazu Harimoto	6,363
5	Truls Moregard	5,805

Source: ITTF’s dated men’s singles list.

Women’s Singles Top Five

Rank	Player	Points
1	Wang Manyu	9,115
2	Sun Yingsha	8,975
3	Miwa Harimoto	6,709
4	Kuai Man	5,663
5	Wang Yidi	5,647

Source: ITTF’s dated women’s singles list.

These are separate ranking lists. Their points totals should not be used to compare men’s and women’s playing strength.

The ITTF hub also links men’s, women’s and mixed doubles, plus separate youth, team and para rankings. “World No. 3” therefore needs a discipline attached. A singles position does not establish a player’s doubles position, and a doubles pair’s ranking is distinct from an individual doubles ranking.

World-Ranking Points Determine Entries and Seeding

The ITTF describes its world ranking as a merit-based method for entries and seeding at ITTF and WTT events. Players and pairs are ordered by descending points, with tie-breaking rules where totals are equal.

Under the regulations updated January 27, 2026, the basic calculation sums the eight highest-point non-expired results, subject to restrictions. Points generally remain valid for one year, expiring in the corresponding ranking week the following year; certain continental results can receive an extension. Restrictions and penalty provisions mean “add the eight biggest numbers” is not a complete rule for every player. See sections 1 and 4 of the ITTF World Ranking Regulations.

Singles points depend on the event and finishing stage, not simply the number of matches won. Section 3’s January 2026 singles table gives these main-draw winner awards:

Event	Winner’s Points
Grand Smash	2,000
WTT Champions	1,000
WTT Contender	400

Additional qualifying points can apply at some events. Beating a highly ranked opponent does not itself trigger an opponent-rating bonus in this points schedule.

The counted-results rule explains three movements that can otherwise look contradictory:

• Winning may add nothing to the total if the result does not enter the counted set.
• A total can fall despite a good new result if a more valuable counted result expires.
• A position can fall without losing points if another player moves ahead.

Points schedules and validity rules have changed during WTT-era reforms, so use the regulations applicable to the list you are examining. Our guide to how table tennis world rankings work explains the mechanics; the points-expiry forecast guide covers replacement results and projected movements.

USATT Ratings Measure Match-Based Relative Skill

USATT’s rating system is based on Elo principles and uses a match-point exchange chart. The amount exchanged depends on the rating gap and whether the higher- or lower-rated player wins.

For a 100-point gap, the chart exchanges four points when the higher-rated player wins, but 20 when the lower-rated player wins. The winner gains those points and the loser loses them.

Winner at a 100-Point Gap	Winner Gains	Loser Loses
Higher-rated player	4	4
Lower-rated player	20	20

This is a match-level illustration, not necessarily the final tournament change. USATT also assigns initial ratings and makes qualifying upward adjustments before its final calculation pass. Source: USATT Ratings System Explained, August 7, 2025.

To find a USATT record, use the tournament/league lookup linked from USATT’s official ratings page. For calculation details, see how the USATT rating works.

Do not assume every national list is rating-based. USATT also publishes a separate ranking-points system for specified high-level tournaments, using a 24-month window with reduced point values in the second year. Its Ranking System Explained describes that system; a USATT rating and a USATT ranking-points total are not interchangeable.

Interpret Each Number Within Its Own List

Before comparing two players, establish the system, population and date. Tournament points and match-based ratings answer different questions. Discipline, age category and eligibility determine who appears on a list, while the publication date or processed results determine which performances it reflects.

For a world-ranking total, examine the counted events and expiry dates. For a rating, examine opponents and match results. A world-ranking points gap is not a win probability, and a club rating should not be converted into ITTF points without a validated method. Use rankings to understand standing within their rules; use ratings and competitive records to investigate playing strength.