Fastest way to level up in Valorant

Written by: Wei

24/06/2025

Reaching level 20 to unlock ranked mode can feel like a long grind. The leveling system isn’t exactly quick, and it can take hundreds of hours of playtime to get there.

But don’t worry, there are ways to speed things up. While some players go for smurf accounts to skip the process, there are easier, legit tips to level up faster.

How Valorant’s Leveling System Works

What Is AP?

Account Points (AP) are what count toward leveling up in Valorant. Each level needs 5,000 AP, and level 20 is the goal for unlocking competitive play.

It’s important not to confuse AP with XP. XP helps level up the battle pass and agent contracts, but it doesn’t affect the actual account level.

How AP Is Earned

There are two main ways to earn AP in the game:

Time Played: For every minute in a matchmade game, players earn 10 AP. Most unrated matches bring in around 300–400 AP depending on the length.
Match Wins: Winning a match adds 50 AP, no matter the game mode or how long the match lasts.

Bonus AP for New Accounts

To help new players level up a bit faster, Riot gives a bonus for low-level accounts:

Up to Level 10: Instead of 10 AP per minute, accounts under level 10 get 40 AP per minute.
Win Bonus: Winning a match gives a generous 200 AP instead of the standard 50.

This bonus helps speed up the early levels and makes the grind a bit easier at the start.

Fastest Ways to Earn AP

1. First Win of the Day Bonus

Every 22 hours, the first win of the day gives a big bonus 1,000 AP. This works in any game mode, including short ones like Spike Rush.

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Since one bonus equals around three unrated matches, it’s a great way to level up quickly with minimal effort.

Tip: Try to grab this bonus daily for steady progress.

2. Play Spike Rush

When the goal is to level up fast without waiting for the daily bonus, Spike Rush is the go-to mode.

It’s short (usually 4–7 rounds), has minimal waiting time, and still rewards 50 AP per win.

Because of the quick pace, players can earn more AP in less time compared to standard modes.