How to use the life counter
- Pick a format. Standard starts at 20 life, Commander at 40, and the rest are set for you.
- Choose 2–6 players and tap Start. The counter fills the screen.
- Lay the phone flat between you. Each side is turned to face its player.
- Tap the top half of your side for +1 and the bottom half for −1. Hold for ±10.
- Tap ⋯ for poison, commander damage, energy and experience counters, or to rename a player.
- Tap ☰ in the middle for a d20, a d6, a coin flip, a random first player or a reset.
Features
- Every side faces its player, so nobody reads their life upside down.
- Running change: see "−7" next to your total while you take a hit, then it clears.
- Poison and commander damage, with a player marked OUT at 0 life, 10 poison or lethal commander damage.
- Keeps the screen on during the game and saves the game if you close the page.
- Works offline after the first visit. Add it to your home screen to use it like an app.
Starting life totals by format
| Format | Starting life | Other ways to lose |
|---|---|---|
| Standard, Pioneer, Modern, Legacy, Vintage, Pauper | 20 | 10 poison |
| Draft & Sealed (Limited) | 20 | 10 poison |
| Commander (EDH) | 40 | 10 poison · 21 commander damage |
| Pauper Commander (PDH) | 30 | 10 poison · 16 commander damage |
| Brawl | 25 (1 vs 1) · 30 (multiplayer) | 10 poison · no commander damage |
| Oathbreaker | 20 | 10 poison · no commander damage |
| Two-Headed Giant | 30 per team (shared) | 15 poison per team |
More detail on each format, including how commander damage and poison work, is in the MTG starting life totals guide.
Tips for tracking life in Magic
- Say the change out loud ("taking 4, going to 13") so your opponent can check it.
- Add lifelink gains as damage happens, not at the end of the turn. It's easy to forget them.
- In Commander, record commander damage separately. It counts toward 21 even if you gained life back.
- Keep the phone in the middle of the table. Everyone can see every total, which settles arguments fast.
MTG life counter FAQ
Is this MTG life counter free?
Yes. It's free with no account, no app store and no sign-up. It runs in your phone's browser.
How do I add or remove life?
Tap the top half of your side to gain 1 life and the bottom half to lose 1. Hold either half to change it by 10 at a time. The change since your last tap appears next to your total.
Can it track poison and commander damage?
Yes. Tap the ⋯ button on any player to track poison, energy and experience counters, plus commander damage from each opponent when commander damage is turned on.
Will the screen turn off during a game?
No. While the counter is open, it asks your phone to keep the screen awake (supported in Chrome, Edge, Safari 16.4+ and most modern browsers).
Can I use it like an app?
Yes. Use "Add to Home Screen" in your browser's share menu. It opens full screen from your home screen and keeps working without signal once it has loaded.
Is my game saved if I close the page?
Yes. Life totals and counters are saved on your device as you go. Come back to the page and tap Resume game.