In short: A way of counting what the pieces are worth, in pawns: knight and bishop about 3, rook 5 and queen 9. The king has no value, because it can never be traded.
The pawn is the yardstick. The other pieces are counted in pawns, according to how much they can usually do on the board. The numbers are a rule of thumb, not a law, but they help you see quickly whether a trade pays off.
| Piece | Value in pawns |
|---|---|
| Pawn | 1 |
| Knight | 3 |
| Bishop | 3 |
| Rook | 5 |
| Queen | 9 |
| King | no value, can never be traded |
Counting material
Add up the value of the pieces on each side, and you see who has more material. If you give a knight and get a rook, you have won about two pawns' worth, and that has a name of its own: winning the exchange. If you get a bishop for a knight, it is a trade, like for like.
When the table isn't enough
- Pawns aren't always worth the same. A passed pawn that has come far can be worth much more than one. Doubled or isolated pawns are often worth less.
- The bishop pair. Two bishops together are usually counted as worth a little more than two knights. Read about the bishop pair.
- The endgame. Once the pieces are traded, the pawns matter more. Three pawns often beat a bishop, but with rooks still on the board the bishop can be better.
- The king. It can never be traded, but in the endgame it fights like a real piece and is sometimes counted as worth about four pawns.
A player who gives up material on purpose does it to get something else back. Read about compensation and about the sacrifice.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the king worth?
The king has no point value, because it can never be traded. If it is checkmated you have lost, whatever else you have left.
Are the bishop and the knight worth the same?
Roughly, both count as three. Two bishops together, the bishop pair, are usually counted as worth a little more, but in closed positions the knight often does better.
Updated November 14, 2026