D&D 5e Encounter Difficulty Calculator
Uses the official Dungeon Master's Guide XP threshold system to rate encounter difficulty. Monster XP is multiplied by a multiplier based on monster count, then compared to party thresholds.
Encounter Difficulty
XP Thresholds by Character Level
| Level | Easy | Medium | Hard | Deadly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 25 | 50 | 75 | 100 |
| 2 | 50 | 100 | 150 | 200 |
| 3 | 75 | 150 | 225 | 400 |
| 4 | 125 | 250 | 375 | 500 |
| 5 | 250 | 500 | 750 | 1,100 |
| 10 | 600 | 1,200 | 1,900 | 2,800 |
| 15 | 1,100 | 2,200 | 3,400 | 5,100 |
| 20 | 2,800 | 5,700 | 8,500 | 12,700 |
References & Methodology
- Wizards of the Coast — Dungeon Master's Guide, D&D 5th Edition (2014) — Chapter 3: Creating Adventures. Encounter difficulty XP thresholds by level and multiplier table by monster count (pp. 82–83). Official system used by this calculator.
- Wizards of the Coast — Monster Manual, D&D 5th Edition (2014) — Challenge Rating system, XP values per CR, and proficiency bonus progression.
- Kobold Press — Tome of Beasts (2016) — Extended CR/XP reference table used by third-party TTRPG publishers following 5e SRD conventions.