How Is Combat Level Calculated OSRS? Formula and Examples

If you are asking how is combat level calculated OSRS, the game combines a defensive base with your strongest offensive combat style. Defence, Hitpoints, and half of Prayer form the base. OSRS then adds the highest result from melee, Ranged, or Magic and rounds the final value down.

Seven skills can affect the calculation: Attack, Strength, Defence, Hitpoints, Prayer, Ranged, and Magic. However, all seven do not always contribute at once. Defence, Hitpoints, and Prayer always count, but only one offensive component is used. Melee depends on Attack and Strength, while the other two components use Ranged or Magic.

This design explains why gaining a Ranged or Magic level may leave your displayed combat level unchanged. If melee remains your dominant style, the lower offensive components are ignored until one becomes the highest.

Quick Formula

OSRS calculates combat level with these steps:

1. Calculate the base from Defence, Hitpoints, and Prayer.
2. Calculate separate melee, Ranged, and Magic values.
3. Select the highest offensive value.
4. Add it to the base.
5. Round the total down to get the displayed combat level.

Combat level = floor(Base + maximum of Melee, Ranged, or Magic)

The floor function means rounding down to the nearest whole number. For example, 72.99 displays as combat level 72, not 73.

How Is Combat Level Calculated OSRS Step by Step?

The Old School RuneScape combat level formula has four component calculations.

Component	Formula
Base	0.25 × (Defence + Hitpoints + floor[Prayer ÷ 2])
Melee	0.325 × (Attack + Strength)
Ranged	0.325 × floor(3 × Ranged ÷ 2)
Magic	0.325 × floor(3 × Magic ÷ 2)
Exact combat value	Base + highest offensive component
Displayed combat level	floor of the exact combat value

Written as one calculation:

Combat level = floor{0.25 × [Defence + Hitpoints + floor(Prayer ÷ 2)] + maximum of [0.325 × (Attack + Strength), 0.325 × floor(3 × Ranged ÷ 2), 0.325 × floor(3 × Magic ÷ 2)]}

This looks complicated when written on one line, but the process is manageable when separated into the base and offensive parts.

Step 1: Calculate the base

The base formula is:

Base = 0.25 × (Defence + Hitpoints + floor[Prayer ÷ 2])

Defence and Hitpoints enter at their full skill levels. Prayer is divided by two and rounded down before being added.

Suppose an account has:

• 50 Defence
• 60 Hitpoints
• 43 Prayer

The Prayer calculation is:

floor(43 ÷ 2) = floor(21.5) = 21

The base is therefore:

Base = 0.25 × (50 + 60 + 21)
Base = 0.25 × 131
Base = 32.75

This base contributes regardless of whether the account is melee, Ranged, or Magic based.

Step 2: Calculate melee

The melee component uses Attack and Strength:

Melee = 0.325 × (Attack + Strength)

For 60 Attack and 65 Strength:

Melee = 0.325 × (60 + 65)
Melee = 0.325 × 125
Melee = 40.625

Attack and Strength receive equal weight in this formula. Raising either skill by one level changes the melee component by the same amount, provided melee is already the highest offensive style.

Step 3: Calculate Ranged

The Ranged component is:

Ranged = 0.325 × floor(3 × Ranged ÷ 2)

For level 70 Ranged:

Ranged = 0.325 × floor(3 × 70 ÷ 2)
Ranged = 0.325 × floor(105)
Ranged = 0.325 × 105
Ranged = 34.125

You may also see the calculation described as Ranged multiplied by 1.5 and rounded down. Both forms produce the same integer inside the component.

Step 4: Calculate Magic

Magic follows the same structure as Ranged:

Magic = 0.325 × floor(3 × Magic ÷ 2)

For level 55 Magic:

Magic = 0.325 × floor(3 × 55 ÷ 2)
Magic = 0.325 × floor(82.5)
Magic = 0.325 × 82
Magic = 26.65

Step 5: Use the strongest offensive component

The three results are:

• Melee: 40.625
• Ranged: 34.125
• Magic: 26.65

Melee is the highest, so the other two offensive components do not enter the final calculation.

Exact combat value = Base + Melee
Exact combat value = 32.75 + 40.625
Exact combat value = 73.375

The final value is rounded down:

Displayed combat level = floor(73.375) = 73

This account is combat level 73 and is classified as melee based for the calculation.

What Each Combat Skill Contributes

The seven relevant skills do not play identical roles.

Skill	Role in the formula
Defence	Always included in the base
Hitpoints	Always included in the base
Prayer	Half the level, rounded down, enters the base
Attack	Used if melee is the strongest offensive component
Strength	Used if melee is the strongest offensive component
Ranged	Used if the Ranged component is the highest
Magic	Used if the Magic component is the highest

Defence and Hitpoints each add 0.25 to the exact value for every skill level gained. That does not mean every four levels will always produce a displayed combat level immediately. The account may already have a fractional value, so the visible increase depends on when the total crosses the next integer.

Prayer behaves in pairs. Because the game uses floor(Prayer ÷ 2), moving from an even Prayer level to the next odd level does not change the base. Moving from an odd level to the next even level increases the number inside the base by one.

For example:

• Level 42 Prayer: floor(42 ÷ 2) = 21
• Level 43 Prayer: floor(43 ÷ 2) = 21
• Level 44 Prayer: floor(44 ÷ 2) = 22

As a general mathematical relationship, eight Prayer levels add 1.0 to the exact combat value. The displayed level may change at a different point because the full result is rounded down.

New Account Calculation: Why Players Start at Level 3

A fresh Old School RuneScape account normally begins with:

• 1 Attack
• 1 Strength
• 1 Defence
• 10 Hitpoints
• 1 Prayer
• 1 Ranged
• 1 Magic

First, calculate the base:

Base = 0.25 × [1 + 10 + floor(1 ÷ 2)]
Base = 0.25 × (1 + 10 + 0)
Base = 0.25 × 11
Base = 2.75

Now calculate the offensive components:

Melee = 0.325 × (1 + 1) = 0.65

Ranged = 0.325 × floor(3 × 1 ÷ 2)
Ranged = 0.325 × 1 = 0.325

Magic = 0.325 × floor(3 × 1 ÷ 2)
Magic = 0.325 × 1 = 0.325

Melee is the highest offensive value:

Exact combat value = 2.75 + 0.65 = 3.4

The game rounds 3.4 down, so the account displays combat level 3. The decimal progress remains relevant because additional skill levels build on that 3.4 rather than starting from exactly 3.0.

Ranged-Based Calculation Example

Consider a different account with these levels:

• 40 Attack
• 40 Strength
• 45 Defence
• 60 Hitpoints
• 52 Prayer
• 75 Ranged
• 65 Magic

Calculate the base:

Base = 0.25 × [45 + 60 + floor(52 ÷ 2)]
Base = 0.25 × (45 + 60 + 26)
Base = 0.25 × 131
Base = 32.75

Calculate melee:

Melee = 0.325 × (40 + 40)
Melee = 0.325 × 80
Melee = 26

Calculate Ranged:

Ranged = 0.325 × floor(3 × 75 ÷ 2)
Ranged = 0.325 × floor(112.5)
Ranged = 0.325 × 112
Ranged = 36.4

Calculate Magic:

Magic = 0.325 × floor(3 × 65 ÷ 2)
Magic = 0.325 × floor(97.5)
Magic = 0.325 × 97
Magic = 31.525

Ranged is the strongest offensive component:

Exact combat value = 32.75 + 36.4 = 69.15

After rounding down, the account displays combat level 69.

Increasing Attack or Strength slightly would not affect this account’s combat level because melee remains below the Ranged component. Those skills begin influencing the result only when the melee value overtakes Ranged.

Why Ranged or Magic Sometimes Does Not Raise Combat Level

Players often assume every combat-skill increase must move them closer to the next combat level. That is not always true for offensive skills.

OSRS calculates all three offensive components but uses only the highest one. If your melee component is 42, Ranged is 35, and Magic is 30, gaining one Ranged level may increase the Ranged component slightly. However, it still will not enter the final formula because melee remains higher.

The same principle applies in reverse. On a Ranged-based account, small Attack, Strength, or Magic gains may not change the exact combat value. Those skills can rise without affecting combat level until their component becomes dominant.

Defence, Hitpoints, and qualifying Prayer increases are different. They enter the shared base, so they affect melee, Ranged, and Magic builds alike.

This is also why two players with similar-looking total combat stats can have different combat levels. The distribution of their offensive skills matters, not just the sum of every skill displayed in the interface.

Exact Value Versus Displayed Combat Level

The game displays a whole-number combat level, but the formula often produces a decimal. An OSRS combat level calculator may show both values:

• Exact combat value: the unrounded formula result
• Displayed combat level: the exact result rounded down

An account with an exact value of 84.05 and one with a value of 84.95 both display combat level 84. The second account is much closer to level 85.

This distinction matters when planning a PvP build or checking the levels needed for the next combat level. Looking only at the displayed number does not reveal how much fractional progress has already accumulated.

A next-level calculator typically tests possible skill increases against the formula. It can estimate how many Attack, Strength, Defence, Hitpoints, Prayer, Ranged, or Magic levels the account can gain before the displayed result crosses the next integer.

Use actual current Hitpoints for accurate planning. A calculator that estimates Hitpoints from other combat skills may be wrong if the account used a Dwarf multicannon, rings of recoil, non-combat Magic training, experience lamps, or other unusual training methods.

Minimum and Maximum OSRS Combat Levels

The minimum player combat level is 3. As shown in the fresh-account example, the exact starting value is 3.4, which displays as 3 after rounding down.

The maximum combat level is 126. With level 99 in all seven combat skills:

Base = 0.25 × [99 + 99 + floor(99 ÷ 2)]
Base = 0.25 × (99 + 99 + 49)
Base = 0.25 × 247
Base = 61.75

Melee = 0.325 × (99 + 99)
Melee = 0.325 × 198
Melee = 64.35

Ranged = 0.325 × floor(148.5) = 48.1

Magic = 0.325 × floor(148.5) = 48.1

Melee is the highest:

Exact combat value = 61.75 + 64.35 = 126.1

The displayed result is combat level 126.

A player does not need every combat skill to contribute simultaneously to a specific level. At maximum stats, melee remains the selected offensive component because its Attack-plus-Strength result is higher than either single-style component.

What Does Not Affect Player Combat Level?

Several parts of OSRS combat appear related but do not enter the player formula directly.

• Equipment: Weapons, armor, bonuses, and special attacks do not change the level displayed beside your character.
• Temporary boosts: Potions, prayers, and other temporary stat changes do not permanently recalculate the displayed player combat level.
• Slayer: Slayer level does not appear in the formula.
• Total level: Skilling levels such as Mining, Fishing, and Crafting do not count.
• Combat Achievement points: These unlock separate achievement tiers and rewards.
• Gear value: Expensive equipment does not increase the numerical combat level.
• Boss kills: Kill count and PvM experience do not count unless the combat training involved raises a relevant skill.

Combat level also does not provide a complete measure of fighting ability. Two level 100 players may differ greatly in gear, quest unlocks, prayers, mechanical skill, and boss experience.

The formula described here is for player combat level. Monsters use a different calculation involving their own combat statistics, so a monster’s displayed level should not be reverse-engineered with the player formula.

Combat Level, Wilderness Brackets, and Account Planning

Combat level matters most visibly in the Wilderness, where location and combat levels help determine which players can attack one another. It also appears in selected requirements and affects how other players interpret an account build.

Pure accounts deliberately control certain combat skills to remain within a target bracket. A one Defence pure, for example, avoids unwanted Defence XP because Defence always contributes to the base and cannot normally be reduced later.

Before completing a quest on a restricted account, check all mandatory combat XP rewards. A reward that raises Attack, Defence, Prayer, or another relevant skill may permanently change the account’s build and combat level.

Do not assume that training the mathematically most efficient stat is always the best choice. A useful account needs appropriate weapons, prayers, accuracy, damage, Hitpoints, and content access. The formula can show the numerical result, but it cannot decide which build suits your goals.

Username lookup tools can import public skill levels from the OSRS Hiscores when an account is ranked. Manual entry remains useful for unranked skills, hypothetical builds, and future-level planning. No legitimate combat calculator needs your password, bank PIN, authenticator code, or recovery information.

Common Calculation Mistakes

Adding all offensive styles together

The formula does not add melee, Ranged, and Magic. It chooses only the largest of the three components.

Using the full Prayer level

Prayer is divided by two and rounded down before it enters the base. Level 43 Prayer contributes 21 inside the parentheses, not 21.5 or 43.

Rounding intermediate decimals incorrectly

The formula explicitly floors the half-level operation used for Prayer, Ranged, and Magic. After adding the base and highest offensive component, the final result is also rounded down for display.

Leaving out Hitpoints

Hitpoints always contributes to the base. Training combat normally raises Hitpoints, so projected builds should include expected Hitpoints growth unless the chosen method awards no Hitpoints XP.

Confusing Combat Achievements with combat level

Combat Achievement points come from PvM challenges and unlock achievement rewards. They have no place in the OSRS combat level formula.

Using an RS3 calculator

RuneScape 3 uses a different combat system and includes variables that do not belong in an Old School RuneScape calculation. An RS3 result should not be applied to OSRS.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which skills affect combat level in OSRS?

Seven skills can affect it: Attack, Strength, Defence, Hitpoints, Prayer, Ranged, and Magic. Defence, Hitpoints, and half of Prayer form the shared base. The game then adds whichever is highest: the melee component from Attack and Strength, the Ranged component, or the Magic component.

Does Prayer affect combat level in OSRS?

Yes. OSRS divides Prayer by two, rounds that result down, and includes it in the base. Levels 42 and 43 therefore contribute the same internal value of 21, while level 44 contributes 22. Eight Prayer levels add 1.0 to the exact combat value, although the displayed level depends on existing fractions.

Does Defence always increase combat level?

Every Defence level adds 0.25 to the exact base value. It may not produce an immediate visible level because the final total is rounded down. Across four Defence levels, the exact combat value increases by 1.0, assuming the other stats remain unchanged.

Will training Ranged or Magic raise my combat level?

Only if that style is already the highest offensive component or becomes the highest after training. If melee remains dominant, additional Ranged or Magic levels can have no effect on the combat calculation until the relevant component overtakes melee.

What is the maximum combat level in OSRS?

The maximum is combat level 126. With level 99 in all seven combat skills, the base equals 61.75 and the melee component equals 64.35. Their total is 126.1, which displays as 126 after the final floor operation.

Does gear or a temporary stat boost change combat level?

No. Equipment bonuses, combat potions, active prayers, and temporary skill boosts do not change the permanent combat level displayed for your character. Only the relevant base skill levels used by the formula determine it.

Can I lower my OSRS combat level?

Normally, no. Combat skill XP and permanent levels cannot simply be removed. Restricted builds should check quest rewards and training methods before gaining unwanted experience. If a permanent level changes the build, a calculator cannot reverse it.

Is the OSRS combat formula the same as RuneScape 3?

No. OSRS and RuneScape 3 use different combat systems and calculations. For Old School RuneScape, use only Attack, Strength, Defence, Hitpoints, Prayer, Ranged, and Magic with the OSRS coefficients and strongest-style method described above.

Read the Number More Accurately

Understanding how is combat level calculated OSRS requires looking beyond the whole number shown in-game. The formula builds a shared defensive base, compares three offensive components, selects the strongest, and rounds the combined value down.

For an accurate result, enter your actual seven combat skill levels into an OSRS combat level calculator and review both the exact decimal and displayed level. If you are planning a pure or another restricted build, test future stats before accepting quest XP or training a skill that cannot be reduced later.