By coolyou 
If you’ve spent any time wandering the Lands Between, you’ve probably asked yourself: How many runes would it actually take to max out my character? Whether you’re trying to hit that elusive level 713 or just curious about what it would cost to truly “complete” a build, here’s the full breakdown of how many runes you’ll need—and what it takes to get there.
What’s the Max Level in Elden Ring?
Elden Ring’s maximum character level is 713. At this point, every attribute—Vigor, Mind, Endurance, Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, Faith, and Arcane—will be at 99. This is the absolute limit, and any rune investment beyond this won’t increase your stats any further.
But reaching level 713 isn’t just a matter of grinding a few bosses. It’s a monumental task.
Total Runes Needed to Reach Max Level
To go from level 1 to level 713, you’ll need approximately 1,692,558,415 runes—yes, nearly 1.7 billion. The rune cost increases exponentially with each level, so the later levels will require massive investments on their own. For example, leveling from 712 to 713 alone costs over 8.6 million runes.
Here’s a rough breakdown of the rune milestones:
- Level 1 to 100: ~4.9 million runes
- Level 100 to 200: ~119 million runes
- Level 200 to 300: ~266 million runes
- Level 300 to 713: ~1.3 billion runes
Keep in mind that most players finish the game somewhere between levels 120 and 150, especially in PvP-focused builds. Anything beyond that is pure dedication—or madness.
Is It Worth It?
Honestly? That depends on your goals. There’s no real need to hit 713 unless you’re going for completionism or just want to experiment with every weapon and spell the game has to offer. At max level, you can use any gear or build type without restrictions.
But if you’re just playing for PvP, most duelists prefer the level 125–150 range, since it keeps matchmaking balanced and allows for strong, specialized builds without becoming a jack-of-all-trades.
How to Farm Runes Efficiently
Farming nearly 1.7 billion runes sounds impossible, but there are some well-known spots for rune farming:
- Mohgwyn Palace: The Albinaurics near the Palace Approach Ledge-Road site of grace can net you thousands of runes per kill, especially when using a Gold-Pickled Fowl Foot and the Gold Scarab talisman.
- Sleeping Dragon (Greyoll): Early in the game, you can farm the enormous dragon in Caelid for a massive rune payout. It’s a one-time reward, but a good early boost.
- New Game+ Cycles: Running through NG+ cycles multiplies rune gain, making farming much more efficient—if you can handle the difficulty spike.
For players short on time, some turn to cheap Elden Ring runes from community trading hubs. While not for everyone, this option can help you test high-level builds or skip the grind if you’ve already experienced the game multiple times.
Maxing Out Your Gear Too
If you’re going for max level, chances are you’ll want the best gear to match. Upgrading weapons, collecting spell tools, and hunting down talismans is part of the fun. Trading with other players can also be a helpful route for getting cheap Elden Ring Items that might otherwise take hours to track down through RNG or rare drops.
Just remember: Elden Ring is as much about the journey as it is the build. Taking shortcuts can be tempting, but experimenting, failing, and adapting is what FromSoftware games are all about.
Reaching level 713 in Elden Ring is one of the longest grinds in modern RPGs. While it offers the satisfaction of being able to use every weapon and spell, it also removes the need to specialize—making PvP feel a bit less meaningful.
If you do decide to chase max level, do it on your own terms. Whether you’re farming mobs, diving into NG+, or exploring other ways to gather cheap Elden Ring runes, the important part is enjoying the process.
And hey—once you’re level 713, you’ve earned the right to call yourself a true Elden Lord.