Snapchat Score: How It Works & How to Increase It

Your Snapchat score is a number on your profile that roughly reflects how active you are on the app. It increases when you send and receive Snaps, and it can also go up from posting to your Story, though the exact formula is secret. While you can’t buy or hack a higher score, you can boost it by using Snapchat more frequently, especially by sending Snaps to friends.

Formula

Snapchat has never published the exact formula for your score. Based on user observations and Snapchat’s own hints, the score is roughly calculated as:

Score ≈ (Snaps Sent) + (Snaps Received) + (Stories Posted) + (Other Activity)

Each variable is a count of actions, not a weighted value. Snapchat has confirmed that sending and receiving Snaps are the primary factors. Opening Snaps, posting Stories, and even using chat may contribute slightly, but the company hasn’t specified weights. The calculator above gives a simple estimate: each Snap sent or received adds 1 point, and each day you’re active adds 2 points. It’s a rough guide, not an official tool.

Worked Example

Using the defaults from the calculator: you send 50 Snaps in a week, receive 50, and are active all 7 days.

Snaps sent: 50
Snaps received: 50
Active days: 7 × 2 = 14
Total estimated increase: 50 + 50 + 14 = 114 points

The calculator shows 114, matching the manual calculation.

How Snapchat Score Works

Your Snapchat score appears next to your username on your profile. It’s a single number that updates over time. Snapchat’s official help page says only that your score is “a special equation combining the number of Snaps you’ve sent and received, the Stories you’ve posted, and a couple of other factors.” That’s deliberately vague.

What we know from user testing and Snapchat’s own statements:

Each Snap you send to a friend (not a group) adds to your score.
Each Snap you open and receive adds to your score.
Posting to your Story also may add a point, but it’s not confirmed how much.
Chat messages and video calls do not appear to affect the score.
Your score can increase even if you don’t send Snaps, but it’s much slower.

Snapchat keeps the formula secret to prevent people from gaming it. That’s also why you can’t see a breakdown of your score.

How to Increase Your Snapchat Score

There’s no trick or hack. The only reliable way is to use Snapchat more actively. Here are the most effective methods:

Send Snaps to friends daily. Each Snap sent counts, so send a photo or video to a few friends every day.
Receive Snaps. Ask friends to Snap you back. Opening them counts as received.
Post to your Story. While the exact contribution is unclear, it likely adds a small amount.
Use Snapchat every day. Even if you don’t send many Snaps, being active may help.
Snap multiple friends at once. Sending the same Snap to 10 friends counts as 10 Snaps sent.

Remember, your score doesn’t update instantly. It can take a few hours or even days to reflect your activity. Don’t panic if you send a Snap and your score doesn’t change immediately.

Common Misconceptions

One popular myth is that your score increases by 1 point per Snap sent and 1 per received, with no other factors. That’s close but not exact. Another myth is that you can buy a higher score from third-party websites. That’s false and dangerous—those sites often steal your login info.

Another misconception: deleting a Snap or a chat lowers your score. It doesn’t. Your score only goes up, never down (except in rare cases of account resets). Also, your score is not a measure of “quality” or “popularity”—it’s purely activity-based.

Why Your Score Might Not Be Increasing

If your score seems stuck, check these possibilities:

You’re only sending chats. Chat messages don’t count.
You’re sending Snaps to groups. Group Snaps may not count the same as individual ones.
Your app is outdated. Update Snapchat to the latest version.
Your score updates slowly. Wait 24–48 hours before worrying.
You’re viewing your own score. Sometimes your score updates only after you refresh your profile.

If you’ve been active and still see no change after a few days, contact Snapchat Support from the app.

Comparing Snapchat Score to Other Metrics

Snapchat score is often compared to streaks. A streak is the number of consecutive days you and a friend have exchanged Snaps. Streaks are visible and can be lost if you miss a day. Your score is broader—it counts all your Snap activity, not just with one friend.

Another metric is your Snapchat “zodiac” or “best friends” list, which is based on who you interact with most. That’s separate from your score. Your score is a personal number, not a ranking.

Is a High Score Worth Anything?

Not really. A high score shows you’re an active user, but it has no real-world value. You can’t unlock special features or earn money. Some people treat it as a status symbol, but it’s mostly for fun.

If you’re trying to increase your score for a competition or just for personal satisfaction, the methods above are the only legitimate way. Avoid any service that promises to boost your score for money—it’s a scam and could compromise your account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does sending a Snap to multiple friends count multiple times?

Yes. If you send a Snap to 5 friends, that counts as 5 Snaps sent. That’s why sending to a group of friends is a quick way to raise your score.

Does opening a Snap count toward my score?

Yes, receiving and opening a Snap counts. The sender gets a point for sending, and you get a point for receiving. That’s why exchanging Snaps with friends is the fastest way to increase your score.

Can I see a breakdown of my score?

No. Snapchat only shows the total number. There’s no way to see how many points came from sending vs. receiving vs. stories.

Do Snapchat games or lenses affect my score?

No. Using lenses, filters, or playing games inside Snapchat does not increase your score. Only Snaps (sent/received) and possibly Stories count.

Does my score go down if I delete a Snap?

No. Your score never decreases. Once you earn points, they’re permanent.

How often does my score update?

It varies. Sometimes it updates within minutes, sometimes it takes a day. Snapchat doesn’t give a specific timeframe.

Formula used

in snaps_sent | Snaps sent (past 7 days) | - | 50 | 0 | 10000
in snaps_received | Snaps received (past 7 days) | - | 50 | 0 | 10000
in days_active | Days active in past 7 days | - | 7 | 0 | 7
out score_increase | Estimated weekly score increase | - | snaps_sent + snaps_received + days_active * 2 | 0

Each line is one input (in, sel, list) or one result (out: label, unit, formula, decimals). How the calculators work

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.

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