Calculate damage per second for your gaming character or weapon. Factor in attack speed, critical hits, and damage bonuses for accurate DPS measurements.
DPS (Damage Per Second) is a fundamental metric in gaming that measures how much damage a character, weapon, or ability deals over time. It's calculated by multiplying your base damage per hit by your attack speed, then factoring in critical hits and damage bonuses for a more accurate representation of your actual damage output.
Understanding your DPS helps you optimize your build, compare weapons, and make informed decisions about gear upgrades. Higher DPS generally means faster enemy kills and more efficient gameplay.
| Method | Formula | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Basic DPS | Damage × Attack Speed | Quick comparisons, weapons without special effects |
| Critical DPS | Avg Damage × Attack Speed | Builds with critical hit chance |
| Effective DPS | Critical DPS × (1 + Bonuses) | Complete build optimization with all modifiers |
| Burst DPS | Total Damage ÷ Burst Duration | Cooldown abilities, combo rotations |
How many times you attack per second. Higher attack speed means more hits, but each hit may deal less damage. Balance is key for optimal DPS.
Critical chance and multiplier significantly boost DPS. A 25% crit chance with 2x multiplier adds 25% to your average damage.
Percentage increases from skills, buffs, or gear. These multiply your final damage and stack additively with each other.
Real DPS accounts for downtime between attacks, ability cooldowns, and movement. Theoretical DPS assumes 100% uptime.
Don't focus solely on one stat. A balanced approach between damage, attack speed, and critical stats usually yields better results than maxing a single attribute. Use diminishing returns as a guide.
Use training dummies or DPS meters to compare builds. Sometimes a lower theoretical DPS build performs better in practice due to easier execution or better survivability.
Armor penetration and resistance reduction can dramatically increase effective DPS against tough enemies. Factor these into your build when facing high-defense targets.
Your ability rotation and timing affect real-world DPS. Practice your rotation to minimize downtime and maximize damage windows during boss fights.
Base Damage: 150 per hit
Attack Speed: 1.8 hits/second
Critical Chance: 30%
Critical Multiplier: 2.5x
Damage Bonuses: +20% from skills
Step 1: Calculate average damage per hit
150 × (0.7 + 0.3 × 2.5) = 150 × 1.45 = 217.5 damage
Step 2: Multiply by attack speed
217.5 × 1.8 = 391.5 DPS
Step 3: Apply damage bonuses
391.5 × 1.20 = 469.8 DPS
Final Effective DPS: 469.8