MTG Mana Curve Calculator
Paste a decklist, drop a .txt file by clicking import decklist below, or search for cards - and instantly see your mana curve, color density, and the probability of casting your spells on time.
Mana Cost Distribution
Mana Density
Probability of drawing any mana sources in your first 7 cards
| Manasources | Probability |
|---|---|
1 | 0.00% |
2 | 0.00% |
3 | 0.00% |
4 | 0.00% |
5 | 0.00% |
6 | 0.00% |
7 | 0.00% |
Probability of drawing a mana source of a specific color pip in your first 7 cards
| Color Pip | Probability |
|---|---|
 | 0.00% |
 | 0.00% |
 | 0.00% |
 | 0.00% |
 | 0.00% |
 | 0.00% |
What does this calculator do?
A mana curve calculator visualises how the converted mana cost (CMC) of your spells is distributed across your deck. A healthy curve is the difference between casting your spells on time and staring at a hand full of expensive cards you can't afford to play.
This tool runs entirely in your browser. Paste a list, upload a .txt export from Arena or Moxfield, or search the full Magic: The Gathering card database. We instantly compute your mana curve, color density, and the probability of having the right colors of mana on each turn.
How to read your mana curve
The mana curve histogram shows how many cards you have at each mana value. Most aggressive decks want a curve that peaks at 1–3, midrange decks at 2–4, and control decks can afford a higher curve thanks to extra card draw and ramp.
The mana density chart breaks down your colored mana sources. If you're casting a 2WW spell on turn 4, you need both white sources in play - and our probability table tells you the actual percentage chance that happens.
If a row glows red, your deck is meaningfully unlikely to cast that spell on time. Either lower the curve, add more sources of that color, or accept the risk.
Why mana density matters
Mana density is the unsung hero of deckbuilding. Two decks with identical mana curves can have wildly different consistency if one of them has 14 white sources and the other has only 10.
The classic guideline (the 'Frank Karsten tables') says you want roughly 14 sources of a color to reliably cast a single-pip spell on curve, and closer to 20 sources for a double-pip spell. This calculator does that math for you on every change.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good mana curve in MTG?
There's no universal answer - it depends on your archetype. Aggro decks usually want a low curve concentrated at 1–3 mana. Midrange decks aim for a smooth curve from 2–4. Control decks can afford a heavier top-end because they expect the game to go long. Use the histogram on this page to compare your deck against the curve you're targeting.
How many lands should my deck play?
A common starting point in 60-card formats is 24 lands for a deck with an average mana value of around 2.5, scaling up roughly one land per 0.5 mana value. Add a few more if you have card-draw or ramp; subtract a few if your deck is mono-coloured and very low to the ground.
What is mana density?
Mana density is the count of in-deck sources for each colour of mana - duals, shocks, fetches, mana rocks, mana dorks, and basics. The higher your density of a colour, the more reliably you can cast spells of that colour on curve.
Do I need an account to use this calculator?
No. This tool runs entirely in your browser - no signup required. Your decklist is saved locally so you can come back later, but nothing is sent to a server unless you choose to save the list as a deck on your Manacurve account.
Does this mana calculator work for Commander, Standard, Modern, Pioneer, Vintage, Pauper, Premodern, and Legacy?
Yes. Pick any format from the dropdown to enable legality and quantity-limit warnings, or choose 'Any' to disable filtering and analyse any list. For commander, just choose any.