How to use this calculator
Set the XP needed from level 1 to 2, choose linear additions or an exponential multiplier, and enter a target level. The table shows the cost to reach each level and total XP from level 1.
The math behind it
Cost to reach level L (L ≥ 2): Linear = base + increment × (L − 2) Exponential = base × multiplier^(L − 2) Total XP = sum of step costs from level 2 through the target
A worked example
With base 100 and a linear increment of 50, reaching levels 2, 3 and 4 costs 100, 150 and 200 XP. Total XP to level 4 is 450.
Assumptions & precision
Level 1 starts at zero XP. Target is a whole level from 1 to 200. Linear increment is nonnegative; exponential multiplier is at least 1. Fractional XP is retained rather than rounded each level. This is a progression designer, not a model of any named game. Unrounded intermediate values; results display up to 6 decimal places. Magnitudes above 10¹⁵ are rejected.
A common question
Does base XP mean the cost at every level?
Only for a flat curve. In linear mode, each later step adds the increment. In exponential mode, each step multiplies the previous cost.