Mtg Mana Ratio Calculator
Calculate the optimal land and mana ratio for a Magic: The Gathering deck. Enter values for instant results with step-by-step formulas.
Reviewed for accuracy by Daniel Agrici, Founder & Lead Developer
Mtg Mana Ratio Calculator
Calculator
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Formula: Recommended Lands = round(19.59 + 1.90 x Average CMC) - Nonland Mana Sources
Additional inputs: Colorless (C).
Worked example — 19 Islands recommended | 31.7% land ratio | 82% chance of 2+ lands in opener
Formula
Recommended Lands = round(19.59 + 1.90 x Average CMC) - Nonland Mana Sources
Based on Frank Karsten mathematical analysis, the optimal number of lands scales linearly with your average converted mana cost. The base formula is calibrated for 60-card decks and scaled proportionally for other sizes. Nonland mana sources are subtracted from the total land count.
Worked Examples
Example 1: Aggressive Mono-Blue Tempo Deck
Problem:A 60-card mono-blue tempo deck has an average CMC of 1.8 and runs 4 nonland mana sources. How many Islands should be in the deck?
Solution:Base lands = 19.59 + 1.90 x 1.8 = 19.59 + 3.42 = 23.01 Adjusted for nonland sources: 23 - 4 = 19 lands Land percentage: 19/60 = 31.7% All 19 lands are Islands (mono-color) Probability of 2+ lands in opening 7: ~82%
Result:19 Islands recommended | 31.7% land ratio | 82% chance of 2+ lands in opener
Example 2: Midrange Dimir (Blue-Black) Control
Problem:A 60-card blue-black control deck has average CMC of 3.5, no nonland mana sources, 20 blue pips and 12 black pips in casting costs.
Solution:Base lands = 19.59 + 1.90 x 3.5 = 19.59 + 6.65 = 26.24, round to 26 lands Color ratio: Blue = 20/(20+12) = 62.5%, Black = 37.5% Blue sources: round(0.625 x 26) = 16 sources Black sources: round(0.375 x 26) = 10 sources Use dual lands to efficiently cover both colors.
Result:26 lands | 16 blue sources, 10 black sources | 43.3% land ratio
Frequently Asked Questions
How many lands should I run in a standard 60-card MTG deck?
The number of lands in a 60-card deck depends heavily on your average converted mana cost (mana value). Aggressive decks with an average CMC of 1.5 to 2.0 typically run 20 to 22 lands. Midrange decks with an average CMC of 2.5 to 3.5 usually need 24 to 26 lands. Control decks with higher curves often want 26 to 28 lands. The general rule of thumb is that about 40 percent of your deck should be lands, which equals 24 lands in a 60-card deck. Frank Karsten published a detailed mathematical analysis showing the optimal formula is approximately 19.59 plus 1.90 times your average mana value, adjusted for nonland mana sources like mana dorks and mana rocks.
How do I calculate the right mana base for a Commander deck?
Commander decks (99 cards plus your commander) need proportionally more lands since they are larger. The typical range is 35 to 40 lands for a 99-card Commander deck. Scale the same principles from 60-card: a low-curve aggressive Commander deck can get by with 33 to 35 lands, while a high-curve battlecruiser deck needs 38 to 40 lands. Mana rocks are especially important in Commander since they provide ramp and color fixing. Count each mana rock or mana dork as roughly 0.5 to 0.8 of a land when adjusting your count. Also consider your commander mana cost since you want to reliably cast it on curve, which may require extra sources of its specific colors.
What is the hypergeometric distribution and why does it matter for land counts?
The hypergeometric distribution is the mathematical formula that calculates the probability of drawing a specific number of successes (like lands) from a finite population (your deck) without replacement. It directly answers questions like the probability of drawing exactly 3 lands in your opening 7 cards. This distribution is more accurate than simple percentages because MTG draws are without replacement. Each card drawn changes the probability of the next draw. For deck building, you want to maximize the probability of drawing 2 to 4 lands in your opening hand (ideally above 80 percent) while minimizing the probability of flooding with 5 or more lands (ideally below 10 percent).
How do I determine the correct color distribution for my mana base?
Color distribution should be based on the number of colored mana symbols (pips) in your deck casting costs, not just the number of cards of each color. Count every colored mana symbol across all your nonland cards. If you have 30 blue pips and 15 black pips, your blue to black ratio is 2:1, so roughly two-thirds of your color-producing lands should make blue mana. For cards with double or triple color requirements (like a spell costing UUU), weight those colors more heavily. In multicolor decks, dual lands and fetch lands help bridge color requirements. Aim to have at least 14 sources of any color you need by turn 3 with high consistency.
What are nonland mana sources and how should I count them?
Nonland mana sources include mana creatures (like Llanowar Elves and Birds of Paradise), mana artifacts (like Sol Ring and Arcane Signet), and rituals or temporary mana acceleration (like Dark Ritual). When calculating your mana base, each reliable nonland mana source can replace approximately 0.7 to 1.0 lands depending on its reliability. Mana dorks that cost 1 mana and tap for mana are nearly equivalent to lands for the purpose of calculation. However, they are more vulnerable to removal than lands, so going below 20 lands in a 60-card deck is risky even with many mana creatures. Temporary mana like rituals should not be counted as land replacements since they do not provide sustained mana access.
References
Reviewed for accuracy by Daniel Agrici, Founder & Lead Developer · Editorial policy
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