Damage Per Shot (damage) Enter the damage dealt by one shot (e.g., 7000)

Rate of Fire (RPM) Enter rounds per minute (e.g., 140 for hand cannon)

Magazine Size (rounds) Enter total rounds in magazine (e.g., 11)

Reload Time (seconds) Enter time to reload in seconds (e.g., 2.2)

Quick Examples:

140 RPM Hand Cannon 900 RPM Submachine Gun

Calculate Clear

This calculator is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to provide professional gaming advice. Results are estimates based on the values you enter and may not reflect actual in-game performance.

What Is Damage Per Second

Damage Per Second, or DPS, is a way to measure how much damage a weapon can deal over time. It takes into account how hard each shot hits and how fast the weapon fires. DPS helps players compare different weapons to see which one performs better in combat. A higher DPS means the weapon can defeat enemies faster. This number is useful for choosing the right gun for raids, strikes, or other activities.

How Damage Per Second Is Calculated

Formula

The calculator first changes the rate of fire from rounds per minute to rounds per second. It does this by dividing the RPM by 60. Then it finds Burst DPS by multiplying damage per shot by rounds per second. For Sustained DPS, it calculates how long it takes to fire all rounds, adds the reload time, and divides the total magazine damage by the full cycle time. This shows the average damage over many reload cycles.

Why Damage Per Second Matters

Knowing your weapon's DPS helps you make smarter choices about which guns to use. It lets you compare weapons fairly and pick the best one for each situation. This can make boss fights easier and help your fireteam succeed.

Why DPS Is Important for Weapon Selection

Choosing a weapon without knowing its DPS can lead to wasted time and failed encounters. A gun that hits hard but shoots slowly may deal less total damage than a faster weapon. Without checking DPS, you might bring the wrong weapon to a boss fight and struggle to deal enough damage before the enemy enrages.

For Boss Damage Phases

During boss damage phases, Burst DPS is very important. You have a limited time to deal as much damage as possible. Weapons with high Burst DPS can help you maximize damage during these short windows. Snipers, linear fusion rifles, and shotguns often work well for this purpose.

For Add Clear Activities

When fighting many smaller enemies, Sustained DPS matters more. You need a weapon that can keep firing without losing too much time to reload. Auto rifles, submachine guns, and machine guns often have good Sustained DPS for these situations.

Burst DPS vs Sustained DPS

Burst DPS measures damage without considering reload time. It shows how much damage you deal while firing. Sustained DPS includes reload time and shows average damage over many cycles. Use Burst DPS for short damage phases and Sustained DPS for long fights. Many players focus only on Burst DPS and forget that reload time can lower their total output significantly.

Example Calculation

Imagine you have a 140 RPM hand cannon that deals 7,000 damage per shot. The magazine holds 11 rounds, and it takes 2.2 seconds to reload. You want to know how much DPS this weapon can output in both burst and sustained scenarios.

First, the calculator converts 140 RPM to rounds per second: 140 divided by 60 equals 2.33 rounds per second. Burst DPS is 7,000 times 2.33, which equals 16,333.33 damage per second. For Sustained DPS, the time to empty the magazine is 11 divided by 2.33, or 4.71 seconds. The full cycle time is 4.71 plus 2.2, which is 6.91 seconds. Total magazine damage is 7,000 times 11, or 77,000. Sustained DPS is 77,000 divided by 6.91, which equals 11,395.35.

The calculator shows: Burst DPS: 16,333.33 damage per second, Sustained DPS: 11,395.35 damage per second, and Time to Empty Magazine: 4.71 seconds.

This means the hand cannon deals high damage while firing but loses some efficiency when you account for reload time. You may consider using reload speed perks to improve the Sustained DPS. For short damage phases, this weapon performs well. For longer fights, a weapon with a faster reload might be a better choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is this Destiny 2 DPS Calculator for?

This calculator is for any Destiny 2 player who wants to compare weapons and make better loadout choices. It works for both new players learning about damage and experienced players optimizing their setups for raids and dungeons.

How often should I check my weapon DPS?

You should check DPS whenever you get a new weapon or want to compare two options. It is also helpful when planning for specific encounters like boss fights or champion-heavy activities. Checking DPS helps you bring the right tool for the job.

Does this calculator account for damage perks and buffs?

This calculator uses the base numbers you enter. It does not automatically add perks like Rampage or buffs like Well of Radiance. To account for these, you can adjust your damage per shot value to reflect the buffed damage amount.

Can I use this calculator for special and heavy weapons?

Yes, this calculator works for any weapon type as long as you know the damage per shot, rate of fire, magazine size, and reload time. Shotguns, fusion rifles, sniper rifles, and machine guns can all be compared using these values.

Why is my in-game damage different from the calculator?

The calculator provides theoretical DPS based on the numbers you enter. In-game damage can vary due to precision hits, damage falloff at range, enemy resistances, active buffs, and human factors like aim accuracy and timing.