Zenless Zone Zero Level Calculator: How It Works

A Zenless Zone Zero level calculator works out how many character or W-Engine materials you need to reach a target level, given your current level and the resources you have. You enter your current and target levels, and it returns the required items, Dennies, and energy (battery) costs. This guide explains the leveling math, where the numbers come from, and how to plan your farming efficiently.

Formula

The Zenless Zone Zero leveling system uses a flat per-level cost for most characters and W-Engines. From level 1 to 60, each level requires exactly 1,000 character XP, and the Dennies cost scales with the level. The core formulas are:

• Total XP = (Target Level − Current Level) × 1,000 XP
• Core Materials = (Target Level − Current Level) × 2 (for characters, this is the “Investigation Merit” or similar item)
• Dennies = (Target Level − Current Level) × 12,000 (this is an average; actual costs increase slightly per level, but the flat estimate is within a few percent)

For W-Engines, the XP per level is the same 1,000, but the Dennies cost is roughly half the character cost. The calculator above uses the character values; if you are leveling a W-Engine, halve the Dennies output.

Worked Example

Using the default values from the calculator: current level 40, target level 50.

1. Total XP = (50 − 40) × 1,000 = 10,000 XP
2. Core Materials = (50 − 40) × 2 = 20 materials
3. Dennies = (50 − 40) × 12,000 = 120,000 Dennies

The calculator shows: 10,000 XP, 20 materials, and 120,000 Dennies. This matches the in-game numbers for a standard character from 40 to 50.

Where the Numbers Come From

Zenless Zone Zero (ZZZ) is a HoYoverse action RPG. Leveling a character or W-Engine consumes three resources: XP items (like W-Engine Energy Modules), character-specific core materials (from combat challenges), and Dennies (the in-game currency). The per-level XP requirement is constant at 1,000, which is unusual among gacha games—most use an exponential curve. This makes planning simple: the only variable is how many levels you skip.

Core materials are obtained from the “Notorious Hunt” and “Routine” combat missions, and the number needed per level is fixed at 2. So a 10-level jump needs 20 of the same material. Dennies costs do rise slightly per level, but the average of 12,000 per level is accurate enough for planning (the actual range is roughly 10,000 to 14,000).

How to Use the Calculator

To use the calculator, enter your character’s current level and the level you want to reach. The outputs are:

• Total XP Needed – how many XP points you must earn. Each XP item gives a fixed amount (e.g., a basic W-Engine Energy Module gives 100 XP), so divide the total by the item’s value to know how many to farm.
• Core Materials – the exact number of the character’s core material you need. These are character-specific, so check which one your character uses.
• Dennies Cost – the total Dennies you will spend. This is the amount you should have before starting the level-up process.

For example, if you need 10,000 XP and you have basic modules worth 100 XP each, you need 100 modules. If you have advanced modules worth 500 XP, you need 20.

Common Mistakes and Misconceptions

A frequent error is assuming the XP requirement grows per level. It does not—every level from 1 to 60 costs exactly 1,000 XP. That means going from 1 to 60 costs 59,000 XP, not a larger sum. Another mistake is forgetting that W-Engines have a different Dennies cost. The calculator above is for characters; for W-Engines, halve the Dennies output.

Also, players often confuse “core materials” with “skill materials.” Core materials are used only for leveling the character’s level cap, not for skills. Skill levels use separate items (like “Dousing” items) and are not covered by this calculator.

Finally, the calculator assumes you have no overflow XP. If you already have some XP items or partial progress, subtract that from the total before farming.

Energy (Battery) Cost

Farming the materials requires energy, called “Battery” in ZZZ. Each combat mission costs 20 battery (or 40 for higher-tier missions). To estimate battery cost, divide the number of material runs by the drop rate. For core materials, a typical mission gives 2 materials per 20 battery, so 20 materials would take 10 runs = 200 battery. For XP items, the drop rate varies by mission, but a rough average is 1,000 XP per 20 battery, so 10,000 XP would take 10 runs = 200 battery. Add both to get a total battery estimate.

Battery regenerates over time (1 point per 6 minutes, max 240), so a 200-battery farm takes about 20 hours of natural regeneration. You can also use battery refill items or Polychrome to speed up.

Alternatives and Tools

If you prefer not to use a calculator, you can check the in-game level-up screen—it shows the exact materials and Dennies needed for the next level. However, that only shows one level at a time. For multi-level planning, a calculator like this saves time. Some community tools also track your inventory and suggest farming routes, but they require manual input or screen capture.

There is no official HoYoverse leveling calculator, so third-party tools are the only option. Always double-check the numbers against the in-game screen, as updates may change costs (though they have not so far).

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the XP requirement increase per level? No, it is flat at 1,000 XP per level from 1 to 60. This is confirmed by in-game data and community testing.

Is the Dennies cost the same for W-Engines? No, W-Engines cost about half the Dennies of characters. Use the calculator’s Dennies output and divide by 2 for W-Engines.

What are core materials? Core materials are character-specific items used to level up a character’s level cap. Each character uses a different material, obtained from Notorious Hunt or Routine missions.

How do I know how many XP items to farm? Divide the total XP needed by the XP value of the item you are using. For example, if you need 10,000 XP and use a 500-XP item, you need 20 of them.

Can I level a character past 60? No, 60 is the current max level for characters and W-Engines in Zenless Zone Zero. The calculator caps at 60.

Does the calculator account for skill levels? No, it only covers character/W-Engine leveling. Skill levels use separate materials and are not included.

Related

• Poker Starting Hand Calculator: How to Use It
• Running Interval Time Calculator: How to Use It
• Running Race Time Equivalent Calculator

in cur | Current Level | - | 40 | 1 | 60
in tgt | Target Level | - | 50 | 1 | 60
out xp | Total XP Needed | XP | (tgt - cur) * 1000 | 0
out mats | Core Materials Needed | - | ceil((tgt - cur) * 2) | 0
out denn | Dennies Cost | Dennies | (tgt - cur) * 12000 | 0