MTG Land Calculator

Calculate the optimal number of lands for your Magic: The Gathering deck based on mana curve, color requirements, and format.

Calculate: (Total CMC of all spells) ÷ (Number of spells)

Color Requirements

Cards that produce extra mana (e.g., Rampant Growth)
Cards that draw or replace themselves

Recommended Land Count

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Color Breakdown

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Land to Spell Ratio

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Detailed Mana Base Breakdown

Enter your deck details above to see the recommended mana base breakdown.

Land Count Reference

60-Card Aggro:20-22 lands
60-Card Midrange:23-25 lands
60-Card Control:26-28 lands
100-Card Commander:34-40 lands
40-Card Limited:16-18 lands

Color Fixing Tips

  • Dual lands: 8-12 for 2-color decks
  • Fetch lands: 4-8 for consistency
  • Colorless lands: Keep under 4 in multi-color
  • Consider utility lands (e.g., cycling lands)

Format Adjustments

  • Commander: +2-4 lands (bigger curve)
  • Aggro: -2 lands (lower curve)
  • Control: +2 lands (higher curve)
  • Ramp: -1 land per 2 ramp spells

Frequently Asked Questions

How many lands should I put in my MTG deck?

The number of lands depends on your deck's average mana cost (CMC), format, and strategy. As a general rule:

  • 60-card aggro: 20-22 lands
  • 60-card midrange: 23-25 lands
  • 60-card control: 26-28 lands
  • Commander (100-card): 34-40 lands
  • Limited (40-card): 16-18 lands

How do I calculate the optimal land count?

A common formula is: Lands = (Deck Size × Average CMC) ÷ 2.5

Example: A 60-card deck with average CMC 3.0 needs approximately 72 ÷ 2.5 = 28.8 ≈ 29 lands. Adjust based on your deck type.

How many lands for a Commander deck?

Commander decks typically run 34-40 lands. Start with 36-38 and adjust based on average CMC:

  • Low CMC (aggro): 34-36 lands
  • Mid CMC (midrange): 36-38 lands
  • High CMC (control): 38-40+ lands

How do I determine the color distribution?

Count the number of colored mana pips in your deck. The percentage of each color should roughly equal the percentage of lands of that color. For example, if 60% of your mana pips are green, about 60% of your lands should produce green mana.

What is average CMC and why does it matter?

Average CMC (Converted Mana Cost) is the average mana cost of all spells in your deck. A higher average CMC means you need more lands to cast your spells consistently. Our calculator uses this to determine your optimal land count.

How do ramp spells affect land count?

For every 2 ramp spells, you can typically reduce your land count by 1. Ramp spells (like Rampant Growth, Cultivate) help you accelerate your mana without needing as many land drops.

What is the 40-card land rule for Limited?

For Limited (Draft/Sealed), a good rule of thumb is 17 lands and 23 spells. If your curve is low (mostly 1-2 CMC), you can go down to 16 lands. If you have many high-cost spells, go up to 18 lands.

Should I include utility lands?

Yes, but limit them to 2-4 in a 60-card deck. Utility lands (like cycling lands, manlands, or colored utility lands) are useful but don't replace basic color fixing. In multi-color decks, prioritize consistent color access first.