Apex Legends ranks explained: Ranking system and divisions from Rookie to Master

Apex Legends still has a strong competitive scene in 2026, and if you want to get involved with the ranked grind, you’ll have to know how it all works. There are a variety of ranks for you to achieve on your journey, as well as plenty of things to keep in mind so you can continue to climb.

This includes rank distribution, how you can rank up faster, and if there is any rank decay you have to worry about. With that in mind, let’s have a look at the Apex Legends ranks and the ranking system that has kept the game going for all this time.

Apex Legends has seven ranks to achieve for its competitive mode. Ranked trios players begin at Rookie rank and then work up toward Master. The very best, sitting at Master rank and in the top 750 players for their platform of choice, will have the title of Apex Predator. Within some tiers in the Apex Legends ranking system, there are multiple divisions, which are denoted by Roman numerals, including I, II, III, and IV.

Ranked matches cost RP (Ranked Points) to enter once you’re above the Rookie rank. RP is gained by being in the top 50% of a match, with the RP requirement for a match growing as you rise up the ranks. The RP requirements per rank are shown below:

When a player loads into a ranked match, a random point of interest will be chosen for the team as a drop spot. Everyone begins their competitive Apex journey at the Rookie Rank, then climbs the remaining six ranks until they eventually reach the peak of Master. Bronze to Diamond have four divisions, meaning you will have to earn thousands of RP to make it to the top.

Ranks don’t decay in Apex, but they are reset whenever a new season launches, as well as once in the middle of each season, which is known as a split. A new player’s matchmaking ranking from unranked trios is used to determine the starting rank of beginners.

We’ve created a compilation of every rank below, as well as how much RP you’ll need to collect to progress through each tier according to the EA website.

Tip: To play ranked with your friends, you’ll need to be within three ranks of the other players in your starting lobby.

Those with a competitive mindset can earn special rewards from ranked play for placing in high tiers, like badges. You can also show off your rank by turning on your aura, which reflects the tier you’re in at the moment.

Rank distribution helps players understand how many competitors of each rank are in a match of Apex. Before a match starts, the game will show you the rank distribution in the lobby.

According to Apex Legends Status, the ranked skew as of February 2026 is much higher than other ranked games. There are plenty of players in Gold and Platinum, as is typical, but Diamond III is the most populated rank, even though the Diamond tier is one of the highest. This could indicate that the Apex Legends ranking system is generous, or that those playing have been doing so for a while and are thus more skilled.

Skilled competitors in Apex should set their sights on getting eliminations and surviving until the last few teams in a match. However, meeting special conditions can also help you rank up swiftly, like placing in the top few teams in consecutive games.

Competitive players aiming to rise up the ranks quickly in Apex Legends need to find the balance between survival and aggression to take down foes. Stealth weapons, such as snipers, are a good way to achieve this balance.

In February 2026, there is no rank decay in Apex Legends, although you can still lose rank to inactivity. This is due to rank resets at the start and middle of every season. Depending on your MMR (matchmaking ranking), you’ll be put in a lower rank when the reset occurs.

Here’s a full list of split two rank reset values, as per the EA website.

Climbing the Apex Legends ranks is hard work, but if you know how the ranking system works and how to approach getting better, becoming a battle royale master is on the cards. While you don’t have to worry about rank decay in Apex, keep on the lookout for rank resets twice a season.

If the aspiration is to become a household name in the Apex esports scene, then climbing the ranked ladder is the first hurdle in Respawn’s FPS battle royale.