App Store rating calculator

Your average is the total of all stars divided by the number of ratings. Adding k new 5-star ratings gives a new average of (current average × current count + 5 × k) ÷ (current count + k). Solving for k gives the number of 5-star ratings you need: k = count × (target − average) ÷ (5 − target), rounded up.

That is why a small count moves fast and a large count barely moves. Going from 4.2 to 4.5 with 20 ratings takes about 12 five-star reviews; with 2,000 ratings it takes about 1,200.

The App Store shows your average rounded to one decimal. To display 4.8 you need an exact average of 4.75 or more. The calculator has an option to target the exact value you need for the rounded rating to show.

Ask at a moment of success, not at launch: right after someone logs their tenth workout or completes a first budget. Apple's review prompt lets you ask a limited number of times per year, so use it after a positive action. Reply to negative reviews; a fix and a polite answer often turns them into updated ratings.

Short videos that show real people getting a result from your app also drive the downloads that produce reviews in the first place.