What is the difference between a difficulty score and an execution score in gymnastics?

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Simone Biles of Team United States performs a flip above the balance beam during the Women's Balance Beam Final at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. — gymnastics Simone Biles performing on the balance beam at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games (delayed until 2021). She won a bronze medal in the event.

In artistic gymnastics, a gymnast's total score is calculated by combining two distinct components: the difficulty score and the execution score.1

Difficulty Score: This component starts at zero. Judges add points based on the technical difficulty of the specific moves performed in the routine.1
Execution Score: This component starts at a maximum of 10. Judges then subtract points from this base for any mistakes, errors in form, or lack of gracefulness during the performance.1

By summing these two values, the final score reflects both the complexity of the athlete's routine and the quality of their performance. This current system, implemented in 2006, replaced the previous scoring method that famously capped at a "perfect 10".1