Ranked play in League of Legends is where competitive spirit meets structure. Whether you’re climbing the solo queue ladder or grinding Flex games with friends, matchmaking in ranked comes with one important question: Which ranks can actually play together?
To maintain fair competition and match quality, Riot Games enforces specific rank-based restrictions on who can queue together. These rules vary slightly between Solo/Duo Queue and Flex Queue, and they aim to balance fun with competitive integrity. Here’s a breakdown of what ranks can — and can’t — team up in League of Legends ranked modes.
Solo/Duo Queue: The Most Restrictive Mode
Solo/Duo is the most competitive queue type, and it’s also the most tightly controlled when it comes to who can play together.
Here’s how it works:
- Iron to Diamond IV players can duo with someone within one full tier.
- Example: A Gold III player can duo with Silver III to Platinum III.
- Diamond III and above can only duo with players within 2 divisions (e.g., Diamond I can only duo with Diamond III+).
- Master, Grandmaster, and Challenger: No duo queue allowed. These players must queue solo.
Why so strict?
To prevent matchmaking abuse and maintain the integrity of high-level competition. Climbing to Grandmaster should reflect personal skill, not carried duo games.
Flex Queue: More Freedom, Less Pressure
Flex Queue is a separate ranked system that allows teams of any size (1–5 players) and more flexible rank pairing.
Here’s what you can expect:
- Iron to Diamond players can queue with anyone within a full rank difference, not tier.
- Example: A Silver IV player can queue with a Gold I or Bronze I player.
- Master and above players cannot queue with players ranked below Diamond.
- Five-player premade teams can bypass most rank restrictions — as long as no one is Master or higher.
- Solo players may face full premades, which is part of the mode’s structure.
Flex is designed to encourage team play, so the rules allow broader combinations, especially for coordinated groups of friends.
Ranked Restrictions by Game Mode (At a Glance)
| Mode | Min-Max Rank Gap | 5-Stack Allowed | Notes |
| Solo/Duo Queue | 1 Tier (Iron–Diamond) | No | No duo above Master tier |
| Flex Queue | 1 Rank (Iron–Diamond) | Yes | 5-stacks ignore most restrictions |
| Clash (Tournament Mode) | Tier-based | Yes | Tier system based on average rank |
Tips for Playing Ranked With Friends
- Check Your Ranks: Use Riot’s official client or third-party sites to confirm you’re within duo range.
- Use Flex Queue Strategically: If you’re ranked too far apart for Solo/Duo, Flex is your go-to mode.
- Climb Separately, Then Play Together: If you’re outside the allowed range, focus on solo improvement and sync up later.
- Communication Is Key: Duoing or playing Flex with voice chat can significantly increase your win rate.
Final Thoughts: Fair Play Meets Friendships
League of Legends’ ranked restrictions can feel limiting at first, but they exist for a good reason: to ensure fairness, discourage smurfing, and preserve competitive integrity. Still, Riot offers enough flexibility — especially in Flex Queue — to keep ranked a social experience as well.
Whether you’re pushing for Platinum with your best duo partner or building a coordinated Flex squad, understanding who you can queue with is the first step toward victory.
Remember: ranks may divide you, but teamwork always wins games.
Written by:
Christian