The only way to increase merit in PUBG Mobile and BGMI is to play Classic matches without breaking the rules. Each Classic match adds merit based on your final individual placement: +3 for top 1–10, +2 for 11–50 and +1 for 51–100. You need 60 merit to queue for duo or squad again. Merit does not come back on its own while you are offline.
Below: what each merit level unlocks, how many matches it takes to get back to 60, how to check your merit, and what makes it drop.
What is merit in PUBG Mobile and BGMI?
Merit is a fair-play score from 0 to 100. Every account starts at 100. It is separate from your tier, K/D and wins: losing matches does not lower it. It drops when the game or other players flag bad behaviour, such as hurting teammates or playing with cheaters. Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) uses the same system as PUBG Mobile.
How much merit do you need to play squad?
60. Below 60 merit, duo and squad matchmaking is locked and you can only queue solo. As soon as you reach 60 again, team modes unlock.
| Merit | What you can play | EXP and BP |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | All modes | Daily BP limit +200, and +5 Challenge Points per match |
| 60–99 | All modes, including duo and squad | No 100-merit bonus |
| Below 60 | Solo only (duo and squad locked) | Reduced by 70% |
| Below 20 | VS AI mode only | Reduced by 90% |
The exact wording can differ slightly between PUBG Mobile, the Korean version and BGMI. The rules screen in your own game is the final word (see how to check merit below).
How to increase merit fast
The official help center lists one way to raise merit: Classic mode placement. Your individual final placement counts, not your team's.
| Final placement in a Classic match | Merit gained |
|---|---|
| Top 1–10 | +3 |
| Top 11–50 | +2 |
| Top 51–100 | +1 |
- Play Classic, not TDM, Arena or Arcade. Merit gains are only listed for Classic mode.
- Survive, don't chase kills. Placement is all that counts. Land away from the flight path, loot, and move with the circle. Reaching the top 10 gives three times the merit of an early death.
- Play each match out. Your placement is fixed when you are eliminated, so every extra minute alive can move you into a higher band.
- Stay clean while you recover. One reported team kill or a teammate who turns out to be a cheater can wipe out several matches of progress. The official FAQ also says repeat violations make merit recover more slowly.
- Keep a buffer above 60. If you go back to squads at exactly 60, a single deduction puts you straight back into solo.
How many matches to get back to 60?
This is simple maths using the official +3 / +2 / +1 values. Real numbers will be a little higher because you won't place the same every match.
| Starting merit | Points needed | All top 10 (+3) | All top 11–50 (+2) | All top 51–100 (+1) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | 10 | 4 matches | 5 matches | 10 matches |
| 40 | 20 | 7 matches | 10 matches | 20 matches |
| 30 | 30 | 10 matches | 15 matches | 30 matches |
| 20 | 40 | 14 matches | 20 matches | 40 matches |
Below 20 you can only play VS AI. Check the rules screen in your game to see how merit is restored from there.
Is there a daily limit on merit gains?
Neither the PUBG Mobile nor the KRAFTON help center publishes a daily merit cap. The only "daily limit" in the official rules is the BP limit, which goes up by 200 when your merit is a full 100. If your merit stops rising, the usual reasons are matches outside Classic mode, a new deduction, or slower recovery after repeat violations.
How to check your merit (PUBG Mobile and BGMI)
- In the lobby, tap your profile (the helmet-shaped icon on the left or at the top).
- Open Tier in the upper right of your profile space, then Tier Overview.
- Tap the "?" next to Merit to see your score and the full merit rules for your version of the game.
Your profile also has a Merit System page with a history of merit changes for the last 30 days. It shows each deduction and gain. The game shows merit times in UTC.
What lowers merit?
- Friendly fire: merit drops if continuous friendly fire is detected (3 or more times in a week). When you hurt a teammate, a pop-up appears; clicking OK applies the deduction.
- Playing with cheaters: being on the same team as a cheater repeatedly within 7 days costs 15 merit each time.
- Insulting other players: merit is deducted and you are muted.
- Teaming with enemies or abusing bugs: merit is deducted and the account can be banned.
- Reports from teammates: merit removed after a valid report or a system detection is not restored.
For how many team kills lead to a ban, see our guide How Many Team Kills Ban You in PUBG Mobile.
"Your merit is too low": what to do
This message appears when you try to join a duo or squad match with less than 60 merit. Switch to solo Classic, use the table above to see how many matches you need, and play until you reach 60 or more.
FAQ
Can I increase merit without playing?
No. Merit only goes up through Classic matches. There is no item, UC purchase or waiting period that restores it, and it does not regenerate while you are offline.
Is BGMI merit the same as PUBG Mobile?
Yes, BGMI uses the same merit system: start at 100, 60 for duo and squad, +3 / +2 / +1 from Classic placement. Check the "?" rules screen in BGMI for the exact text in your version.
Does merit only increase in solo?
The official rules count your individual final placement in Classic mode. Below 60 you can only play solo anyway, so solo Classic is how most players recover.
How long does it take to go from 40 to 60 merit?
You need 20 points: 7 matches if you always make the top 10, 10 matches in the top 11–50, and 20 matches if you always finish 51–100.
What is the maximum merit?
100. At 100 your daily BP limit goes up by 200 and you get 5 extra Challenge Points per match.
Sources
- PUBG Mobile / BATTLEGROUNDS MOBILE (KRAFTON) Help Center, "What is the Merit System?" (merit reduction rules, Classic placement gains, how to check), last updated early 2026.
- PUBG Mobile (Tencent) Help Center, "Why has my Merit been reduced? How can I gain Merit?" (100-merit bonus, below 60 and below 20 restrictions, 30-day history).
