Points are the currency of army building in Warhammer 40,000. Every unit, weapon and upgrade carries a cost, and the total has to fit inside an agreed limit, so understanding Warhammer 40k points is the difference between a legal list and one you can’t field.
What points actually are
Points are a balancing number attached to every datasheet in the game. Add up the units and wargear you’ve picked and you get your army’s total, which then gets measured against the limit for that game.
The idea is simple fairness. If you’re playing a 2,000 point game, your opponent should be bringing roughly the same weight of stuff. Without that shared number, one player could just show up with twice the army.
Common point limits
Games are usually described by their ceiling, not their exact total. You don’t have to spend every last point, but you can’t go over.
Smaller games move fast and punish bad trades hard. Bigger games let you bring the heavy stuff and reward planning ahead.
| Limit | Typical use |
|---|---|
| 500 | Skirmish or learning games |
| 1,000 | Quick matched play |
| 1,500 | Mid-sized games |
| 2,000 | The standard competitive size |
| 3,000 | Large narrative or Apocalypse-style games |
How to total up a list
You add the base cost of each unit, then add anything you’ve bolted on: weapons, wargear, relics, enhancements and character upgrades. That final figure is your army total.
Subtract it from the limit and you get your remaining points. If that number is negative, the list isn’t legal yet and something has to come out.
- Count every unit at its listed cost.
- Add wargear and upgrade costs on top.
- Total everything, then compare against the limit.
- Track what’s left so you can spend it on something useful.
Where the numbers come from
Points are set by Games Workshop and change over time. Balance updates, new codexes and edition changes all move numbers around, which is why old lists can suddenly stop being legal.
The reliable move is to check the current points document or your codex rather than trusting a list you saved months ago. Tournament organisers will usually tell you which version they’re using.
Do you need a calculator?
For a small list, pen and paper is fine. Once you’re juggling dozens of units and upgrades, a calculator or army builder saves time and catches arithmetic slips before you sit down to play.
Either way, the skill is the same: know your limit, know your costs, and know what you’re leaving on the table.
Key facts
- Points are the balancing cost attached to every unit, weapon and upgrade in Warhammer 40,000.
- Armies must fit within an agreed limit, commonly 500, 1,000, 1,500, 2,000 or 3,000 points.
- 2,000 points is the standard size for competitive matched play.
- Your army total is the sum of unit costs plus all wargear and upgrade costs.
- Points values change with balance updates and new editions, so lists need rechecking over time.
- Going over the limit makes a list illegal for that game unless both players agree otherwise.
FAQ
Do I have to spend exactly the point limit?
No. You just can’t go over it. Leaving a few points spare is normal and often happens when nothing else fits neatly.
Can points change after I build a list?
Yes. Games Workshop updates points regularly, so a list that was legal last year might not be now. Always check the current values before a game.
What happens if my army is over the limit?
It’s not a legal list for that game. You’d need to drop units or upgrades until the total fits, or agree a higher limit with your opponent.