PF2e Encounter Calculator
Use this Pathfinder 2e XP calculator to build encounters by adding creatures and tracking your total XP budget. The encounter builder shows difficulty from Trivial to Extreme following the official PF2e encounter building rules. Looking to add traps? Try the hazard calculator.
Encounter Difficulty
TrivialTotal XP
0XP
Party Configuration
Quick Templates
Creatures (0)
No creatures added yet.
Use the form above or pick a Quick Template.
XP Thresholds - Party of 4
| Difficulty | Budget |
|---|---|
| Trivial | 40 |
| Low | 60 |
| Moderate | 80 |
| Severe | 120 |
| Extreme | 160 |
Creature XP - Party Level 5
| Diff | Level | XP |
|---|---|---|
| -4 | 1 | 10 |
| -3 | 2 | 15 |
| -2 | 3 | 20 |
| -1 | 4 | 30 |
| +0 | 5 | 40 |
| +1 | 6 | 60 |
| +2 | 7 | 80 |
| +3 | 8 | 120 |
| +4 | 9 | 160 |
How to Use the PF2e Encounter Calculator
The PF2e encounter builder uses the official XP budget system from the GM Core. Set your party level and party size, then add creatures by their level relative to the party. Each creature contributes XP based on the level difference: a same-level creature (+0) grants 40 XP, while a creature four levels above the party (+4) grants 160 XP.
Encounter difficulty is determined by total XP against the budget thresholds for your party size. A Moderate encounter (80 XP for 4 players) is the baseline for a fair fight. Severe encounters (120 XP) should drain significant resources, while Extreme encounters (160 XP) risk character death. Trivial encounters (40 XP or less) rarely require meaningful resource expenditure.
For parties of fewer or more than 4 players, the XP budget adjusts by 10–40 XP per additional or missing PC depending on the tier. Use the Quick Templates to load pre-built encounter types instantly, or build custom encounters by adding creatures one by one.