Damage Per Second Calculator
Damage per second (DPS) is the single most important metric for comparing offensive builds in action RPGs, MMOs, and shooter games. This calculator combines base damage, attack rate, critical hit chance, and critical multiplier into a single average DPS figure. It accounts for the probability-weighted average damage per hit across both normal and critical strikes, then multiplies by attacks per second. Use it to compare weapons, talents, and builds objectively.
DPS formula
Avg hit = base * (1 + c * (m - 1))
DPS = avg hit * attacks per second
where c = crit chance fraction, m = crit multiplier
The average hit formula weights normal and critical hits by their probabilities. DPS then scales this average by the attack rate in attacks per second.
Optimizing DPS in game design
- At low crit chance (under 20%), raw damage and attack speed tend to be more effective per point invested than crit stats.
- At high crit chance (over 50%), the crit multiplier becomes the primary scaling factor for damage.
- Many games impose diminishing returns on attack speed to prevent trivial DPS scaling.
- Comparing two builds: if build A has more DPS, it kills enemies faster in sustained combat, all else being equal.
DPS calculator: frequently asked questions
What is the DPS formula?
DPS = average damage per hit multiplied by attacks per second. Average damage per hit equals base damage times (1 plus crit chance times (crit multiplier minus 1)). This gives the true long-run damage output per second.
How do I convert attack speed to attacks per second?
If your game shows attack speed as attacks per second, use it directly. If it shows time between attacks (e.g. 1.5 seconds per attack), divide 1 by that number. Some games show attack speed as a percentage modifier, which scales a base attack time.
Does DPS account for armor mitigation?
This calculator gives raw DPS before any mitigation. To find effective DPS after armor reduction, multiply by (1 minus the damage reduction fraction) or use the Armor Damage Mitigation Calculator.
Why does doubling attack speed double DPS but doubling damage also doubles DPS?
DPS is the product of average damage and attack rate, so it scales linearly with both. Increasing either factor by a given percentage increases DPS by the same percentage, making them equivalent per unit of investment.
How does this relate to burst damage vs sustained damage?
DPS measures sustained output over many attacks. Burst damage refers to the maximum damage achievable in a short window, which can be higher if cooldowns or proc effects are active. DPS is the better metric for prolonged encounters.
Official sources
- NIST/SEMATECH e-Handbook of Statistical Methods: itl.nist.gov/div898/handbook/.
- National Council of Teachers of Mathematics: nctm.org.
Reviewed by the CalculatorHub team, edited by James Graham, 15 June 2026. See our methodology.