Basics
What Does S Tier Mean? The Tier Scale Explained
Where the S in S tier comes from, and what each tier from S to F usually means.
By Tier List Maker Team ·
If you’ve seen a tier list, you’ve seen the mysterious S tier sitting above A. So what does the S stand for?
The origin of S
The most common explanation traces S tier to Japanese grading and video game culture, where an “S” rank — often read as special or superior — was awarded for a performance beyond an A. Games like Street Fighter and many arcade titles popularised S ranks, and the convention spread to fan-made tier lists online.
What each tier usually means
- S — exceptional. The very best; few items belong here.
- A — excellent. Strong picks you’d recommend without hesitation.
- B — good. Solid, but with a noticeable flaw or two.
- C — average. Fine, unremarkable.
- D — below average. Has some redeeming quality, but rarely chosen.
- F — poor. Avoid.
Keep S tier special
The most common mistake is putting too many items in S. If a quarter of your list is S tier, the label stops meaning anything. A good rule of thumb is to reserve S for roughly the top 5% of items.
Make your own scale
You don’t have to use letters at all. Many great tier lists use custom labels like “GOAT”, “Great”, “Fine”, “Why?” — use whatever makes your opinion clearest.