Leveling up your account is key to playing ranked and getting Blue Essence to buy more champions. Each level from the first gets you closer to ranked games and rewards you with Champion Capsules containing champion shards and Blue Essence to unlock more champions as you go. Some milestones will also give you themed borders, profile icons, Mythic Essence, and other cosmetic items. Check out our Leveling Rewards page if you want to see more.
This is a Summoner leveling guide, not to be confused with the in-game experience system that determines your champion's level in-game. We are talking about the level that allows you to unlock new features, Summoner Spells, and game modes and have access to ranked mode at level 30.
If you want to get to 30 fast to unlock ranked check out our Fastest Way to level 30 guide here. We level thousands of accounts each year so we know what we are talking about.
In the old days of League of Legends, the game had a level cap of 30. It was a big deal because it was the point where you could access ranked and it still is, but the cap is no more.
In 2017 Riot removed the level cap and players could level up forever. The highest level known is Nolife Flynn who has hit level 3000+ by playing Player vs. AI games non stop. Why does he do it? We have no idea, but good luck to him.
While levels used to matter, once you hit 30 your level doesn't affect gameplay. Account levels are now just a measure of how much time and effort you've put into the game. Whether you're level 2000 or level 50, your skill in LoL isn't measured by your account level. Some players may grind XP for years and be bronze, while others can be diamond or challenger with way fewer levels.
Level 30 is the main goal for most new players as it unlocks ranked and allows you to start climbing the ranked ladder. Which is a goal to most players or at least it's mine!
To get there, you'll need a total of 37,392 XP. While that sounds like a lot, it's doable with the right approach and game modes.
Each game awards roughly 200 XP without any XP boosts or bonuses. Since you need 37,392 XP, that means you need to play around 190 games to level 30. Here's the math:
You'll need to play around 190 games to hit level 30 if you're not using any XP boosts or first win bonuses. But that number can vary depending on a few things.
The amount of XP you get per game can vary greatly based on:
Depending on how efficiently you play, you'll need to play around 30-40 hours to level 30, broken down as follows:
Using XP boosts can cut down the time and games required significantly. A double XP boost with a win-based XP boost can double or even triple your XP per game, getting you to level 30 in 80-100 games. That's 15-20 hours of playtime if you play efficiently.
Before Riot changed the XP and leveling system, leveling up took much longer. Leveling to 30 used to take twice as long as it does now and required a huge time investment to unlock ranked. The old system was harder on players, especially those who didn't win consistently or used boosts.
Now, with XP boosts, daily First Win of the Day bonuses, and the ability to earn XP across different modes (including ARAM and special events), the grind is much shorter. It's much less time-consuming than it was before, so it's more accessible for new and returning players to get into ranked asap.
Leveling to 30 can be sped up with a combination of proper selection of modes, using XP boosts efficiently, and winning as many games as possible. Here's how you can maximize your XP and cut down your leveling time:
If you want more in-depth analysis, remember we have a dedicated guide: Fastest way to Level 30 here.
XP boosts are one of the best ways to speed up the grind to 30, but using them smart is key to getting the most out of them. Here's how to get the most out of each type of boost:
Time-based boosts double the XP you get during a specific period (e.g. 1 day, 3 days). These boosts are best used when you know you'll have long play sessions where you can play for several hours. To make the most of them:
Win-based boosts give you 216 XP per win and are best used when you're sure you'll win. For maximum effect:
XP boosts are the fastest way to level up. There are two types of boosts in the Riot Store:
For maximum efficiency, you can stack both boosts. Stacking a Time-Based XP Boost and a Per Win Boost will give you the most XP, especially if you win most of your games. Here's how to use them:
This will get you to level 30 in 50% fewer games, so instead of 190 games, you could get to 30 in 80-100 games.
Different game modes offer different amounts of XP based on game length, win/loss, and player activity. Here's a breakdown of the best game modes for XP:
Winning and not just playing games is the most important factor in getting more XP. On average a win gives you 22% more XP than a loss so focus on strategies that help you win especially in modes where games are shorter.
In PvP matches focus on early-game champions and strategies that allow you to snowball your lead and close out games fast. The goal is to win efficiently, not to farm kills or prolong the game.
The length of the game directly affects how much XP you get, for the best XP/time ratio, aim for games that last 15-25 minutes.
The ideal game length is 15-25 minutes. In Co-op vs Bots, the game ends after 7 minutes by aggressively pushing objectives. In ARAM or PvP, snowball early and close the game as soon as possible without sacrificing the XP for time played.
By playing the right modes, using XP boosts, and winning fast within the sweet spot, you'll level up in no time.
Champion mastery tracks your performance with specific champions, but it doesn't affect your overall Summoner leveling. However, focusing on champions you like or are good with can make leveling more fun. If you want to master a champion while leveling, it adds an extra layer of progression to your grind and makes it more rewarding.
Champion Mastery also gives you tokens and chests, which can give you Blue Essence or skin shards – an extra bonus to master your favorite champion while leveling to 30.
XP in League of Legends is earned based on several factors: match length, game mode, and win/loss. Here's the breakdown of how XP works as of 2024:
The amount of XP you get per game is based on the time spent in the game and win/loss. Here's the formula for Summoner's Rift (PvP) and ARAM games:
The longer the game, the more XP you get. But games between 15-25 minutes give the best balance of time and XP. Games under 15 minutes give less XP as the system discourages fast surrenders or quick stomps.
To summarize an average game that lasts about 20 minutes should give you from 113.4 to 144.6 depending on whether you win or lose, excluding bonuses such as first win of the day.
Co-op vs Bots are a great way to level fast, but there are diminishing returns as your account level increases. Here's how the penalties work:
This XP penalty is to encourage players to move to PvP modes as they get more experienced. But both games are still a good way to get fast, low-risk wins, especially when combined with XP boosts.
Now that you know how XP works and how to use boosts, you can speed up your leveling process. Whether you're grinding bot games or playing PvP, using these strategies to get the most XP will get you to level 30 faster.
For many players, especially those who have leveled multiple accounts or are short on time, buying a pre-leveled ranked-ready account is a good option. Here's a breakdown of whether buying an account is better than grinding to level 30.
Leveling to 30 takes around 30-40 hours of playtime or more depending on your efficiency. Add the cost of XP boosts, which can cost $30-40 for the win-based and time-based boosts, and you're looking at a lot of time and money.
On the other hand, you can buy a ranked-ready account for as little as $14.99. With this, you skip the entire leveling process and jump straight into ranked play. Here's how the two options compare:
As of 2024, Riot has introduced several updates and events that affect how players can get the most XP. Here are the key changes and strategies to keep in mind:
Using these limited time modes and events can speed up your leveling especially if you combine them with XP boosts and smart game play.
Some champions are better at pushing waves and closing games fast. Here's a list of champions that can help you finish games in record time:
These champions are great for Co-op vs Bots, where speed and efficiency matter most. Picking champions that can destroy objectives and clear waves will reduce game time and give you more XP.
Leveling to 30 can be a long grind, but with the right strategies, you can speed it up and make it more enjoyable. By using a combination of XP boosts, playing the right game modes, and aiming for efficient wins, you can cut down the time to level 30.
If you want to jump straight into ranked games buying a ranked-ready account is the cost effective and time saving option. But if you enjoy the process of leveling, learning new champions and honing your skills along the way then the grind is worth it.
Up to you—grind or skip ahead, either way is fine. Either way once you're in ranked the real work begins. Good luck and see you in game!