
In the Animal Crossing: New Horizons Happy Home Paradise DLC, your pay, your uniform, and even your abilities are all tied to your "Grade" — the title Lottie gives you after you've done a certain number of houses.
However, later Grades also rely on a secret number — your Rank. Thanks to an in-depth datamine, Isomorphic Box has figured out how Ranks and Grades work — here's a guide to help you out!
On this page: Animal Crossing: New Horizons Happy Home Paradise Ranks and Grades Explained
Animal Crossing: New Horizons Happy Home Paradise Ranks and Grades Explained

According to a datamine catalogued by Isomorphic Box, players have a Grade and a Rank, which both combine to determine how much you get paid for Happy Home designs.
How to increase your Happy Home rank
The Grade is what Lottie will give you, and it comes with a title, like "Breakout Designer", as well as new clothing options to add to your uniform.
The Rank is invisible, and goes up depending on a few different things — how many clients you've helped, how many roommates you've put together, how many facilities you've built, and so on.
Your rank comes into play in the later stages of the Happy Home Designer "story", as you'll only get a higher grade if you also have a high rank. Here's Isomorphic Box's tables to explain:
Grade Unlocks
Grade | Reward | Title | Approach Rate* | Requirement |
---|---|---|---|---|
0 | 6,000 Poki | – | 0% | None |
1 | 9,000 Poki | Promising Designer | 0% | Complete 6 requests |
2 | 12,000 Poki | Breakout Designer | 0% | Complete 11 requests |
3 | 15,000 Poki | Famous Designer | 0% | Complete 19 requests |
4 | 20,000 Poki | Superstar Designer | 1% | Complete 19 requests, have a Rank of 84 |
5 | 30,000 Poki | Legendary Designer | 1% | Complete 19 requests, have a Rank of 119 |
6 | 40,000 Poki | GOAT Designer | 10% | Complete 19 requests, have a Rank of 146 |
*likelihood for client approaches, which result in a 10% increase in reward

Rank Points
Factor | Increase in Rank |
---|---|
Number of Days accessing HHP | +1 for every 5 days, up to a maximum of +35 (175 days) |
Number of NPCs Serviced | +5 if at least 10 |
Number of NPCs Serviced | +5 if at least 20 |
Number of NPCs Serviced | +5 if at least 30 |
Number of NPCs Serviced | +5 if at least 50 |
Number of NPCs Serviced | +10 if at least 100 |
Number of NPCs Serviced | +10 if at least 200 |
Number of NPCs Serviced | +10 if at least 300 |
Number of NPCs Serviced | +10 if at least 400 |
Number of Roommate Pairs Completed | +2 for every 5 pairs, up to a maximum of +20 (50 pairs) |
Number of Plots Filled | +10 if at least 16 |
Number of Plots Filled | +10 if at least 32 |
Number of Plots Filled | +10 if at least 48 |
Number of Facilities | +5 for each facility |
Used a Partition Wall in HHP | +5 |
Number of Villagers whose wallpaper/flooring is received* | +1 for every 3, up to a maximum of +15 (45 villagers) |
Unlock Apparel Shop (after Home 30) | +10 |
* when over 20 minutes are taken for their request
Hopefully you now know how to get a promotion!
This article is part of our Animal Crossing: New Horizons walkthrough, which includes a Complete Fish List, Complete Bug List and Complete Sea Creatures List. If you're looking for specific fish or bugs, we can tell you how to catch the elusive Coelacanth, Mahi-Mahi, Giant Trevally, Stringfish, Golden Trout and all the Sharks and Beetles, along with a full list of critters leaving at the end of the month (unless you visit Kapp'n's Boat Tour islands, of course!).
We can also help with How to Spot Redd's Fake Paintings and Statues, How to Make Bells Fast, How to Breed Flowers, How to Get more DIY Recipes, How to Upgrade Nook's Cranny, where and when to find special characters like Gulliver, Sable, Label, Wisp, Celeste, Pirate Gulliver and Jack, plus tips on using the Star Wand, Tool Ring, Rock Trick, Cutting Down and Moving Trees, using amiibo on Harv's Island, How to Back Up Your Island Data, How to Time Travel, How to Get a 5-Star Island Rating and a whole lot more.
If it's new content you're looking for help with, we can help you find gyroids, unlock Brewster's café, use the new Pro Camera App for selfies, enact new ordinances, get the beloved Froggy Chair, and even learn How to Cook.
And finally, Where to Buy Animal Crossing: New Horizons on Nintendo Switch, if for some reason you haven't yet picked up the game, and How To Buy The Happy Home Paradise DLC, too!
[source acnh.isomorphicbox.com]
Comments 3
Great guide, Kate 👍🏻 For the +5 ranks points for using a partition, do you know if you can get that for each house you use a partition in or is it a one time thing? I need a pay raise and I’m trying to figure out the fastest way to grind it. Thanks!
@EthanVW Good question — I understood it as each partition wall = +5 points, but I think that might be too generous? Can't hurt to use at least a couple just in case, though!
@KateGray That’s what I was thinking too. Unfortunately, I did enough new houses with partitions to where my rank would have gone up if each house+partition combo was giving a +5, but it stayed the same. So I think it’s safe to say the +5 is a one time boost. Thanks for the input!
Also, I’m not sure if something is just weird on my end, but I can’t find this article through the main site. It only seems to show up if I google it and click the link through there.
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