Skyrim Perk Calculator
Plan your character’s progression and optimize your build with our detailed perk calculator.
Character Perk Planner
Enter the current level of your character (1-252).
Enter the level you plan to reach.
Enter bonus perk points obtained from quests (e.g., Dragonborn DLC Black Books, max 6).
Formula: Total Perks = (Target Level – 1) + Bonus Perks
Skill Perk Allocation
Enter how many perk points you plan to invest in each skill tree. This will help you visualize your build and see if you have enough points. The chart will update automatically.
| Skill Tree | Allocated Points | Skill Tree | Allocated Points |
|---|
Perk Allocation by Skill Category
Understanding the Skyrim Perk System
What is a Skyrim Perk Calculator?
A skyrim perk calculator is an essential tool for players of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim who want to strategically plan their character’s development. In Skyrim, you gain one perk point for every level you advance. These points are then used to unlock special abilities and bonuses in 18 different skill trees. With a finite number of points available in a typical playthrough, a skyrim perk calculator helps you map out your build in advance, ensuring you don’t waste precious points on perks that don’t fit your desired playstyle. This tool is perfect for both new players trying to understand the system and veterans planning a highly specialized or themed character build.
One common misconception is that you can eventually unlock every perk. While technically possible by making skills “Legendary” (resetting a skill of 100 back to 15 to continue leveling), it is an extremely long process. For a standard game, planning with a skyrim perk calculator is crucial for creating an effective and enjoyable character.
The Skyrim Perk Calculator Formula
The calculation for available perk points is straightforward but vital for planning. Our skyrim perk calculator uses the following logic to determine your total available points:
Total Available Perk Points = (Target Character Level - 1) + Bonus Perk Points
You start at Level 1 with zero perk points and gain one for every subsequent level. The “-1” accounts for your starting level. Bonus points can be acquired through specific quests, most notably from the Black Books in the Dragonborn DLC.
| Variable | Meaning | Unit | Typical Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Current Level | Your character’s current level. | Level | 1 – 252+ |
| Target Level | The level you aim to achieve for your build. | Level | 1 – 252+ |
| Bonus Perks | Extra perk points from in-game rewards. | Points | 0 – 6 |
| Total Perks | The total number of perk points available at your target level. | Points | 0 – 251+ |
Practical Examples
Example 1: Planning a New Character
Imagine you’re starting a new game and want to plan a classic Stealth Archer build up to level 50.
- Inputs: Current Level: 1, Target Level: 50, Bonus Perks: 0.
- Calculation: (50 – 1) + 0 = 49 perk points.
- Interpretation: You have 49 points to distribute. You would use our skyrim perk calculator to allocate these points primarily across Archery, Sneak, and Light Armor, with some potentially going into Smithing or Alchemy to support your build. Planning this ensures you can reach key perks like “Deadly Aim” as efficiently as possible.
Example 2: A High-Level Mage Build
A player has a Level 60 character and wants to reach Level 81 to fight the Ebony Warrior. They have also completed the Dragonborn DLC and collected 5 bonus perk points.
- Inputs: Current Level: 60, Target Level: 81, Bonus Perks: 5.
- Calculation: Total perks at target = (81 – 1) + 5 = 85. Perks to gain = (81 – 60) = 21.
- Interpretation: The player will have a total of 85 perk points at level 81 and will gain 21 new points. They can use the skyrim perk calculator to decide where to invest these new points, perhaps to master the Destruction and Conjuration trees. See our skyrim character build planner for more ideas.
How to Use This Skyrim Perk Calculator
- Enter Your Levels: Input your current character level and the target level you’re aiming for.
- Add Bonus Perks: If you’ve acquired any bonus perk points from quests, add them to the designated field.
- View Your Total Points: The calculator instantly shows the total perk points you’ll have at your target level and how many more you need to gain.
- Allocate Skill Perks: Below the main calculator, use the table to input how many points you plan to spend in each of the 18 skill trees. The “Total Allocated” value will update automatically.
- Analyze Your Build: Compare your “Total Allocated” points with your “Total Available” points. If the allocated number is higher, you’ll need to adjust your build. The chart provides a visual reference for your build’s focus (Mage, Warrior, or Thief).
Key Factors That Affect Perk Planning
- Build Archetype: Your chosen playstyle (e.g., pure mage, heavy warrior, assassin) is the single biggest factor. It dictates which skill trees you should prioritize. A skyrim perk calculator is invaluable for comparing different build paths.
- Legendary Skills: The ability to reset a skill from 100 to 15 refunds all its perk points and allows you to level up indefinitely. This is a late-game strategy for players who want to unlock more perks beyond the typical level 81 cap.
- Game Version (DLC): The Dragonborn DLC is a key factor as it provides access to bonus perk points and the ability to refund perks from a skill tree. Our calculator is designed for players with all DLCs.
- Skill Synergy: Some skill trees work exceptionally well together. For example, Enchanting and Smithing are a powerful combination for any warrior or archer. Using a skyrim perk calculator helps identify these synergies. Check our guide on the best skyrim builds for inspiration.
- Perk Requirements: Many high-level perks require a significant point investment in their tree. You must plan the entire path to a desired perk, not just the perk itself.
- Early vs. Late Game Needs: Some perks are extremely useful in the early game (like basic damage boosts), while others only shine in the late game. A good plan balances immediate needs with long-term goals.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. How many perk points do you get per level in Skyrim?
You get exactly one perk point each time your character levels up. You start at level 1 with zero points.
2. What is the maximum number of perk points you can get?
Without using the Legendary skill system, the cap is 80 perk points, achieved at level 81. By making skills Legendary, you can continue leveling and earning perk points indefinitely. There are 251 perks in total in the base game.
3. Can I reset my perk points?
Yes. At the end of the Dragonborn DLC main quest, you can spend one dragon soul to reset all the perks in a single skill tree, getting those points back to re-invest elsewhere. This is a great way to fine-tune your build using a skyrim perk calculator to re-allocate points.
4. What does making a skill “Legendary” do?
When a skill reaches 100, you can make it Legendary. This resets the skill to 15 and refunds all perk points you spent in it. This action allows you to level up that skill again, which contributes to your overall character level, letting you level past 81 and earn more perk points.
5. Is it better to specialize or generalize my perks?
For most of the game, specializing is more powerful. Focusing your perks in 3-5 core skills will make your character much more effective than spreading points thinly across many skills. A skyrim perk calculator is the best tool to enforce this focus.
6. Which skills should I focus on first?
This depends on your build. However, universally useful skills include Smithing (to improve gear), Enchanting (to add magical effects), and Alchemy (for powerful potions and poisons). For specific builds, consult a skyrim skill guide.
7. Does this skyrim perk calculator work for Anniversary Edition?
Yes, the core perk and leveling system remains the same in Skyrim Special Edition and Anniversary Edition. This calculator works perfectly for all modern versions of the game.
8. What is the most efficient way to plan a character build?
Define a clear archetype (e.g., “Battlemage”), choose 3-4 primary skills and 1-2 secondary skills. Use a skyrim perk calculator like this one to map out which specific perks you’ll take and in what order to ensure you have the required skill level and points when you need them.
Related Tools and Internal Resources
- Skyrim Alchemy Calculator: Plan and discover recipes for the most powerful potions and poisons.
- Stealth Archer Build Guide: A detailed guide on the most popular character build, showing optimal perk allocation.
- Guide to Legendary Skills: Learn the best strategies for using the Legendary system to your advantage.
- Skyrim Character Build Planner: A broader tool for planning your race, skills, and standing stone choices.
- How Many Perk Points in Skyrim?: A deep dive into the mechanics of earning and spending perk points.
- Best Skyrim Builds Collection: A collection of powerful and fun builds to try on your next playthrough.