When it comes to League of Legends progression, XP (experience points) is everything. Whether you’re a newcomer racing to unlock ranked play, a veteran grinding out Eternals and prestige rewards, or a smurf trying to reach level 30 ASAP, knowing which game mode grants the most XP can save you hours of time.
But the answer isn’t as straightforward as you’d think. Riot Games doesn’t publish a simple “XP per game mode” chart, and XP gain depends on more than just the queue you choose — things like game duration, win/loss, and even your honor level can significantly impact your rewards.
So which game mode really gives the most XP in League of Legends? Let’s break it down.
Co-op vs. AI for Short-Term, Summoner’s Rift Normals for Long-Term
Summoner’s Rift (Normal & Ranked) – The XP King
Average XP:
- Win: ~200–300 XP
- Loss: ~150–250 XP
- Duration: 25–35 minutes
Why it’s great:
Summoner’s Rift (especially normal draft) is the most XP-efficient mode over time, especially for players who can consistently win and stay in games for 25+ minutes. The formula Riot uses favors longer matches, and full 5v5 games give the most credit.
Pro Tip: Want to level quickly? Play with friends, win more games, and avoid dodging queues — game penalties lower XP.
ARAM (All Random All Mid) – Fast and Fun, But Less XP
Average XP:
- Win: ~150–250 XP
- Loss: ~100–200 XP
- Duration: 15–25 minutes
Why it’s decent:
ARAM games are shorter and more casual, making it a popular choice for players looking to relax and still gain XP. However, shorter game times = lower XP per game. ARAM can be good for XP-per-hour if you’re fast and efficient, but less rewarding overall compared to full-length Summoner’s Rift games.
Co-op vs. AI (Intro, Intermediate) – Great Early, Then Nerfed
Average XP:
- First win of the day: ~400–500 XP
- Subsequent wins: ~50–100 XP
- Duration: 10–20 minutes
Why it’s popular:
Co-op vs. AI was once the go-to for power-leveling accounts. But Riot has since nerfed XP for repetitive bot farming. You now get significantly less XP after your first few wins of the day, especially above level 10.
Still useful for:
- Completing missions
- Practicing mechanics
- Quick First Win of the Day bonus farming
Rotating Game Modes (URF, Nexus Blitz, One For All) – Fast and Situational
XP varies heavily, depending on mode and patch. For example:
- URF (Ultra Rapid Fire):
- Wins can give 150–250 XP
- Games last 15–20 minutes
- Nexus Blitz:
- Short games (12–18 mins)
- XP depends on event success and game length
These modes can be surprisingly efficient for XP-per-minute, especially URF and One For All, which have relatively quick pacing and decent match rewards. However, they’re only available during limited-time events.
Practice Tool / Custom Games – Almost No XP
Don’t expect to level up here. Riot awards no XP for Practice Tool and almost none for custom games without bots or full teams.
Maximize Your XP Gain: Tips & Tricks
- Log in daily for the “First Win of the Day” mission – it gives ~400 XP, which is huge.
- Play with Honor – high honor levels boost XP slightly via end-of-game rewards.
- Stay in games longer – XP scales with game duration, especially past 10 minutes.
- Avoid dodging or leaving – leaving games early heavily reduces your XP.
- Abuse rotating game modes – during URF or Nexus Blitz weekends, XP/hour can spike.
Conclusion: What’s the Best Mode for XP?
| Game Mode | XP per Game | Avg. Time | XP Efficiency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summoner’s Rift (Normal) | ★★★★☆ | 25–35 mins | Best long-term XP |
| ARAM | ★★★☆☆ | 15–25 mins | Fun, decent for casual grind |
| Co-op vs. AI | ★★☆☆☆ | 10–20 mins | Great for First Win only |
| URF / Rotating | ★★★★☆ | 12–20 mins | Very efficient, but limited-time |
| Practice Tool | ☆☆☆☆☆ | Any | No XP gain |
If you want the absolute most XP, queue up for Summoner’s Rift, win games, and stay consistent. But if you’re short on time or just grinding missions, rotating modes or ARAM can be solid alternatives.
Written by:
Christian