Climbing the ranked ladder in League of Legends requires understanding the current tier structure, the role of hidden MMR, and the mechanics of rank decay. As of August 2026, Riot Games has adjusted the distribution to better reflect player skill, leading to more representation in the Silver, Gold, and Platinum tiers.
LoL Ranks in Order
There are ten tiers, ranging from Iron to Challenger. Ranks from Iron through Diamond consist of four divisions (IV to I), where you must progress through each to reach the next tier.
| Rank | Duo Restrictions |
|---|---|
| Iron / Bronze | Iron - Silver |
| Silver | Iron - Gold |
| Gold | Silver - Platinum |
| Platinum | Gold - Emerald |
| Emerald | Platinum - Diamond III |
| Diamond IV - II | Emerald II - Diamond II |
| Diamond I | Diamond III - Master |
| Master | Diamond I - Grandmaster |
| Grandmaster | Master - Challenger |
| Challenger | Grandmaster - Challenger |
Managing Rank Decay
Players in the Apex tiers (Diamond, Master, Grandmaster, and Challenger) face rank decay if they remain inactive. You earn 'banked days' by playing, which prevent LP loss for a set period.
- Diamond: 7 banked days per match, up to 28 days. Decay starts after 28 days of inactivity, losing 50 LP per day.
- Master, Grandmaster, Challenger: 1 banked day per match, up to 14 days. Decay starts after 14 days of inactivity, losing 75 LP per day.
Ranked Perks and Penalties
Riot Games has implemented specific mechanics to manage role frustration and queue integrity:
- Autofill Protection: Players assigned an autofilled role receive an 'Aegis of Valor.' Scoring a C or higher grants full protection from LP loss, while a win awards double LP.
- Queue Dodging: Exiting a lobby during champion select now counts as a full loss in addition to the standard time penalty.
If you are looking to climb, keep in mind that Riot is currently monitoring the lower end of the spectrum to determine if an additional tier below Iron is necessary to better distinguish skill levels.