DPS Calculator
Calculates damage per second (DPS) for any weapon or spell by multiplying damage per hit by attack speed. Use it to compare loadouts or optimize your build in RPGs and shooters.
About this calculator
Damage per second (DPS) is the standard metric for comparing offensive output in video games. The formula is straightforward: DPS = damage × attackSpeed, where damage is the amount dealt per hit and attackSpeed is measured in attacks per second. A weapon that hits for 80 damage at 1.5 attacks per second delivers 120 DPS, while a slower weapon hitting for 150 damage at 0.6 attacks per second delivers only 90 DPS. DPS normalizes damage across different attack speeds, letting you make fair comparisons between fast, low-damage weapons and slow, high-damage ones. In many games additional modifiers like critical hits, armor penetration, or elemental bonuses are applied on top of base DPS, so this calculator gives you the clean baseline figure to start from.
How to use
Suppose you have a sword that deals 120 damage per hit and swings at 2.5 attacks per second. Enter 120 in the Damage field and 2.5 in the Attack Speed field. The calculator computes: DPS = 120 × 2.5 = 300 DPS. Now compare a slower axe dealing 200 damage at 1.2 attacks per second: DPS = 200 × 1.2 = 240 DPS. Despite the higher damage per hit, the axe delivers less DPS. The sword is the better choice for sustained damage output.
Frequently asked questions
What does DPS mean in gaming and why does it matter?
DPS stands for damage per second and represents how much total damage a weapon or ability deals over a one-second window. It matters because it lets you compare weapons with different attack speeds on a level playing field. A fast dagger and a slow hammer might both feel powerful, but DPS reveals which one actually puts more damage into the enemy over time. Most competitive builds in RPGs and MMOs are optimized around maximizing DPS for a given encounter type.
How do critical hits and other modifiers affect DPS calculations?
Base DPS only accounts for raw damage and attack speed. Critical hits, elemental bonuses, armor penetration, and buff uptime all multiply or add to that baseline. To get effective DPS you would factor in average crit damage using a separate formula. This calculator provides the clean base figure; pair it with a Critical Hit Calculator to get a more complete picture of your true damage output.
When should I prioritize DPS over burst damage in a game build?
Prioritize DPS when you face enemies with large health pools, prolonged boss fights, or situations where sustained pressure matters more than a single spike of damage. Burst damage is more valuable in PvP scenarios where you need to eliminate an opponent before they can react or heal. In PvE content, especially raids and dungeons with damage-check timers, high DPS is usually the dominant metric used to evaluate whether a build is viable.