What is experience in RuneScape?

Experience (XP) is the points players earn by training skills in RuneScape. Each skill has its own XP total, and reaching specific XP thresholds increases the skill's level. The XP curve is exponential, meaning each new level requires significantly more experience than the previous one — the jump from level 98 to 99 alone takes more XP than levels 1 through 75 combined.

RuneScape uses two distinct experience curves. Standard skills (such as Attack, Cooking, Mining, or Fishing) follow the original curve introduced with the game and reach a maximum trainable level of 99 (with virtual levels up to 126 unlocked at 200 million XP). Elite skills (currently Invention and Archaeology) use a steeper curve that ramps up much more aggressively at higher levels and reach a maximum level of 120.

Knowing exactly how much XP separates your current progress from a goal level helps you plan training sessions, estimate how long a grind will take, and compare different XP rates from various training methods.

Tool description

This calculator works out how much experience you need to reach a target level in any RuneScape skill. Enter your current level or current XP, choose whether the skill uses the standard or elite curve, and set a target level. The tool instantly returns the XP required for the target, the XP you still need, the XP to your next level, and your overall progress as a percentage.

The current level and current XP fields are linked — editing one automatically updates the other so you can input whichever value you have on hand.

Features

  • Supports both standard skills (levels 1–126) and elite skills (levels 1–120)
  • Two-way sync between current level and current XP fields
  • Calculates total XP required, XP remaining, and XP to the next level
  • Shows progress toward the target as a percentage
  • Validated input with clamping to the valid level range for the chosen skill type

Use cases

  • Planning a skill goal: Find out how much XP you need to reach 99, 120, or any milestone level so you can estimate the time required at your current XP/hour rate.
  • Comparing training methods: Once you know the XP remaining, divide it by the XP/hour of different training methods to see which is fastest or most efficient.
  • Tracking elite skill progress: Elite skills like Invention and Archaeology have a steep late-game curve, and the calculator makes it easy to see how far you actually are from a target level.

Skill types explained

  • Standard skills — Used by most skills in the game (Attack, Strength, Defence, Magic, Cooking, Mining, Smithing, Woodcutting, etc.). Maximum level: 99 (virtual 126).
  • Elite skills — A separate, harder XP curve. Currently used by Invention and Archaeology. Maximum level: 120.

How it works

The tool uses the XP tables published on the RuneScape Wiki for both curves. When you enter a level, it looks up the exact XP threshold from the table; when you enter an XP amount, it returns the highest level whose XP threshold is less than or equal to your input. All calculations are simple lookups and subtractions — no rounding errors are introduced.

Tips

  • If you only know your in-game level and not your exact XP, leave the XP field as it auto-fills from the level — the result will be the XP required between full levels.
  • For an accurate "XP remaining" figure mid-level, type in your exact current XP from the in-game stats menu.
  • The progress percentage is based on total XP from level 1, which makes early levels look like very little progress at high target levels — this is normal due to the exponential curve.

FAQ

Why is the XP from level 98 to 99 so much higher than from level 1 to 50? RuneScape's XP curve is exponential. Each level requires roughly 10% more XP than the previous one, so the gap grows dramatically at high levels.

Does this work for Old School RuneScape (OSRS)? Yes — OSRS uses the same standard XP curve as RuneScape 3 for levels 1–99, so the standard skill mode applies. OSRS does not have elite skills.

Why does the calculator stop at level 126 (or 120 for elite)? Level 126 is the virtual level reached at 200 million XP for standard skills, which is the in-game XP cap. Elite skills cap at level 120 within the trainable range.

What's the difference between "XP remaining" and "XP to next level"? "XP remaining" is the gap between your current XP and the XP needed for your chosen target level. "XP to next level" is the gap to just one level above your current one.