📚 What's in This Guide
If you have ever played osu! and wondered how many performance points (PP) you will earn from a specific beatmap, you are not alone. I have been following the osu! PP system for years, and I have seen how much it changes. The system updates regularly, and each rework changes how PP is calculated. That is why a PP calculator is essential for any serious osu! player.
In this guide, I will break down everything you need to know about PP calculators, how they work, and how to use them effectively.
1. What is a PP Calculator?
A PP calculator is a tool that estimates how many performance points you will earn from a specific osu! beatmap. The calculator considers multiple factors, including your accuracy, combo, miss count, and selected mods. PP calculators are available as browser extensions, desktop applications, and command-line tools.
The most accurate PP calculators use the rosu-pp library, which is written in Rust and provides reliable performance calculations.
Some calculators also support all game modes, including osu!, taiko, mania, and catch. This makes them useful for players who play different modes and want consistent PP estimates across all of them. For detailed technical information about how PP is calculated, you can refer to the official osu! wiki on Performance Points.
2. How Does a PP Calculator Work?
Understanding how a PP calculator works helps you use it more effectively.
The Core Components
A PP calculator evaluates four key elements of your play:
- Aim PP: This measures how accurately you move your cursor to hit notes. High approach rate (AR) and certain mods like Hidden (HD) or Flashlight (FL) affect aim difficulty.
- Speed PP: This evaluates how quickly you can tap or click notes. Double Time (DT) significantly increases speed requirements.
- Accuracy PP: This is based on how precisely you time your hits. Higher accuracy leads to significantly higher PP.
- Strain PP: This accounts for high-intensity sections like streams, burst jumps, and complex patterns.
The Role of rosu-pp
Most modern PP calculators rely on the rosu-pp library, which provides accurate PP calculations for all modes. This library also powers many browser extensions and desktop tools.
Common Inputs for PP Calculators
To use a PP calculator, you typically provide the following inputs:
| Input | Description |
|---|---|
| Beatmap ID or file | The specific beatmap you are playing |
| Game mode | osu!, taiko, mania, or catch |
| Mods | HD, HR, DT, FL, EZ, HT, NC, BL |
| Accuracy (%) | Your hit accuracy percentage |
| Combo | Your maximum combo during the play |
| Miss Count | Number of misses in your play |
| Ranked Scores | Number of ranked scores (for bonus PP) |
3. Why Use a PP Calculator?
There are several practical reasons to use a PP calculator.
1. Estimate PP Before Playing
If you want to know whether a beatmap is worth farming, a PP calculator gives you a rough estimate before you even start playing. This saves time and helps you focus on maps that match your skill level.
2. Compare Different Mods and Accuracy Levels
You can test various mod combinations and see how they affect PP. For example, you can compare HD vs. HR vs. DT and decide which gives you the best potential score.
3. Plan Your Farming Strategy
Many players use PP calculators to plan their farming sessions. By estimating PP for multiple maps, you can create a list of beatmaps that fit your current rank and skill level.
4. Understand PP Weightage
The osu! PP system uses weightage, meaning your top scores are worth the most. A PP calculator helps you understand how your scores are weighted and where you can improve.
4. Types of PP Calculators
There are several ways to use a PP calculator. Each has its strengths.
1. Web-Based Calculators
Some calculators work directly in your browser. You enter the beatmap ID or upload the beatmap file, and the tool calculates PP. These are convenient because they require no installation.
2. Browser Extensions
Browser extensions are widely used. The most popular one has over 50,000 users and supports the latest 2025-03 rework. These extensions calculate PP directly on beatmap pages, making them very convenient.
3. Desktop Applications
Desktop apps offer more features, such as live in-play PP tracking and advanced mod options. Some apps also include a frameless always-on-top panel that shows PP during gameplay.
4. Command-Line Tools
Power users often prefer CLI tools that can batch-process beatmaps and provide detailed output. These are useful for automating PP calculations.
5. Developer Libraries
For advanced users, libraries like rosu-pp-py allow you to build custom PP calculators with Python. This provides full control and deep customization.
5. Step-by-Step Guide to Using a PP Calculator
If you are new to PP calculators, follow these steps to get started.
- Choose Your Calculator: Select a tool that fits your needs. For most players, a browser extension or web-based tool is best.
- Enter Beatmap Details: Provide the beatmap ID or upload the beatmap file.
- Select Game Mode: Choose the correct mode for your play.
- Select Mods: Toggle mods like HD, HR, DT, or FL.
- Enter Performance Inputs: Add your accuracy, combo, and miss count.
- Add Ranked Scores: Enter your number of ranked scores to calculate bonus PP.
- Click Calculate: The tool will show your estimated PP along with a breakdown.
6. Common Mistakes When Using a PP Calculator
Even experienced players make mistakes with PP calculators. Here are the most common errors to avoid.
Mistake 1: Using the Wrong Mode
Always ensure you select the correct game mode. PP values vary significantly between osu!, taiko, mania, and catch.
Mistake 2: Incorrect Beatmap File
If you are using a file-based calculator, make sure you are using the correct .osu file. An outdated or modified file can give inaccurate results.
Mistake 3: Forgetting Misses and Combo
Some players forget to enter misses and combo. Both factors significantly affect PP. Always include them for accurate estimates.
Mistake 4: Comparing Different PP Reworks
PP calculations change with each rework. Avoid comparing PP values from different versions, as they are not directly comparable.
7. How to Choose the Best PP Calculator
When selecting a PP calculator, consider the following factors.
| Factor | What to Look For |
|---|---|
| Accuracy | Uses rosu-pp or similar reliable library |
| Updates | Supports the latest rework |
| Game Modes | Covers all four modes if needed |
| Features | PP breakdown, bonus PP, weightage display |
| Ease of Use | Simple interface, clear inputs |
| Platform | Works on your preferred device and browser |
8. Frequently Asked Questions
A PP calculator estimates how many performance points you will earn from a specific beatmap. It considers accuracy, combo, mods, and other factors.
PP calculators using the rosu-pp library are highly accurate. However, real PP can vary slightly due to weightage and the specific rework version.
Many modern PP calculators support all four modes: osu!, taiko, mania, and catch.
You typically need the beatmap ID, game mode, mods, accuracy, combo, miss count, and number of ranked scores.
PP is based on osu!'s internal calculation system, which is updated regularly. Each version reflects the latest rework and provides accurate estimates for that period.
9. Conclusion
A PP calculator is an essential tool for any osu! player who wants to understand their performance and plan their improvement. Whether you use a browser extension, desktop app, or command-line tool, choosing a calculator that supports the latest rework and uses a reliable library like rosu-pp ensures accurate estimates.
Use the PP calculator above to estimate your scores, compare different mods, and plan your farming strategy. With regular use, you will gain a deeper understanding of how PP works and how to improve your rank.