How Trustpilot TrustScore is Calculated (2026 Formula Explained)

If you have asked, "how is trustscore calculated?", this is the practical answer most operators need. This guide explains a predictive model that closely matches TrustScore behavior and is the same logic used in our TrustScore calculator.

Important context first: Trustpilot does not publish every production detail of its scoring system. So this article uses a transparent, testable forecasting model rather than claiming an official formula.

What TrustScore Is (and What It Is Not)

TrustScore is the rating users see on your profile. It is not always the same thing as a plain average of stars, especially for low review counts.

In practice, businesses usually care about three outcomes:

• How many 5-star reviews are needed to reach a target score.
• How quickly score improvements become visible.
• How score math changes when volume is low vs high.

If your goal is conversion rather than vanity metrics, pair score math with trust psychology from The Law of Trust: Why 4.6 Stars Can Outperform a Perfect 5.0.

The Practical Bayesian Model Behind TrustScore Forecasts

A common predictive approach is to treat TrustScore like a Bayesian-weighted average with:

• Prior weight: 7 reviews
• Prior rating: 3.5 stars

Model:

Displayed TrustScore = (RawTotal + 7*3.5) / (ReviewCount + 7)

Where:

• RawTotal = total star points from actual reviews
• ReviewCount = your actual number of reviews

This weighting reduces unstable swings for new profiles. It also explains why first reviews move score differently from later reviews.

Step-by-Step Formula Breakdown

To estimate how many new 5-star reviews (x) you need:

1. Recover current raw total from displayed score:

RawTotal = CurrentDisplayedScore * (CurrentReviews + 7) - 24.5

2. Solve for x after adding 5-star reviews:

TargetScore = (RawTotal + 5x + 24.5) / (CurrentReviews + x + 7)

3. Rearranged:

x = (TargetScore*(CurrentReviews + 7) - RawTotal - 24.5) / (5 - TargetScore)

4. Round up because you cannot buy a fraction of a review.

For brand-new profiles (CurrentReviews = 0), this simplifies to:

x = (7*TargetScore - 24.5) / (5 - TargetScore)

Worked Examples Using Real Numbers

Example 1: New profile from baseline to 4.5

• Current reviews: 0
• Target score: 4.5

Result: 14 five-star reviews needed.

Example 2: Existing profile from 3.8 to 4.4

• Current displayed score: 3.8
• Current reviews: 45
• Target score: 4.4

Result: 53 five-star reviews needed.

Example 3: Mature profile from 4.2 to 4.6

• Current displayed score: 4.2
• Current reviews: 120
• Target score: 4.6

Result: 127 five-star reviews needed.

The pattern is consistent: higher volume improves trust but also requires more reviews for each new decimal increase.

Why Displayed TrustScore and Raw Average Are Different

Teams often get confused because they compare displayed TrustScore to a basic average from an internal spreadsheet.

This difference happens because a weighted baseline dampens early volatility:

• Low-volume accounts do not jump too quickly.
• Early negative reviews do not permanently lock growth.
• Additional volume gradually shifts control from baseline to real customer data.

Operationally, this means planning with a dedicated trustpilot score calculator is safer than guessing from plain averages.

How to Use the Trustpilot Score Calculator Before You Buy Reviews

Before ordering any campaign from buy Trustpilot reviews, run a scenario plan first:

1. Enter your current TrustScore and review count.
2. Set realistic targets (for most brands, 4.4 to 4.7 converts strongly).
3. Compare multiple goals (+0.2, +0.4, +0.6) against budget.
4. Plan review velocity over weeks, not in one spike.

That workflow prevents overbuying and keeps your growth pattern credible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this the official Trustpilot formula?

No. This is a practical predictive model based on weighted averaging and observed score behavior. It is useful for planning, but it should not be presented as Trustpilot's full proprietary production algorithm.

Why does score improvement get slower as reviews grow?

Because each new review has less marginal impact when your existing review count is already high.

Should I target 5.0?

Usually no. A realistic score with strong volume often converts better than a perfect score with low volume.

Where can I calculate my scenario quickly?

Use the TrustScore calculator to test multiple targets before you launch a campaign.