The 8 Best DnD Map Makers
Published on December 31, 2020, Last modified on December 21st, 2023
Looking for the best DND map maker for your campaign? Check out our list of top 8 tools for creating stunning maps.
Table of Contents
The Top DnD Map Creators
There will never be a straight-up “best” D&D map maker. The below-featured map makers will list the pros and cons of each software, as well as their best use case.
- Easiest D&D map maker: Inkarnate
- Best map maker for battle maps: Dungeondraft
- Best map maker for world maps: Wonderdraft
- Best map maker for dungeons: Dungeon Scrawl
Are you still in the planning phase and need a baseline map to work off of? Try these random generator options:
- Best random map generator for dungeons: Donjon
- Best random map generator for cities: Watabou’s Medieval Fantasy City Generator
- Best random map generator for worlds: Azgaar’s Fantasy Map Generator
If you want to use your newly created map for a virtual tabletop, check out our list of the best virtual tabletops for D&D!
1. Inkarnate
Inkarnate is easily the best fantasy map-making software on the market. It’s got a slick UI, tons of assets, and can create maps in a matter of minutes.
Pros
- Easily the most fleshed-out, versatile map-building option
- Completely online, no software download or install
- UI is thorough enough to create amazing maps but streamlined enough to build maps quickly
- Free and Pro versions
- Can import custom assets
- Pro version allows for commercial sale of maps
Cons
- Walls don’t “snap” together, which can make the creation of dungeons or other indoor areas clunky
- Subscription model, not a one-time purchase
- UI can get slow on big maps with lots of assets or slow internet connection
Use Case
Inkarnate can be used to create regional maps and battle maps. I have found myself reaching for Inkarnate most of the time I am creating a straightforward battle map. Because I try to keep my session prep to under two hours, it’s extremely nice to be able to punch out a detailed map in five to ten minutes.
Inkarnate’s regional map maker is also a great tool, though I tend to use it much less often.
I do have to say that creating a map with lots of rooms, such as a dungeon or large building, is a bit of a grind with Inkarnate simply due to the level of detail they require.
All in all, I would compare Inkarnate to a “map-focused Photoshop”. The layering, blending, and usage of assets has a similar feel to the infamous image editing software and while it might not be the most streamlined D&D map making software, it is a great mix of easy to use and customizable.
Check out the free or pro version at inkarnate.com
2. Wonderdraft
Wonderdraft is a fantasy map making software that focuses specifically on regional maps.
Pros
- Regional map making tools are unrivaled
- One time purchase
Cons
- Software download, no in-browser option
- While battle maps can be created using the software, it is certainly not meant for this application
- No free option
Use Case
Wonderdraft is unrivaled in its ability to create regional maps. While Inkarnate is a close second, the one time purchase, huge array of assets, and streamlined UI make this the best solution for larger-scale maps.
Buy Wonderdraft for $29.99 at wonderdraft.net
3. Dungeondraft
From the same creator as Wonderdraft, Dungeondraft focuses specifically on smaller-scale battle maps.
Pros
- The vector-based system can scale to any resolution
- Walls and floors are seamlessly integrated, making the creation of complex indoor environments a breeze
- Custom assets, brushes, etc. are easily available
- No internet required to use
- Built-in lighting system
- One time purchase
- No additional commercial licensing
Cons
- Software download, no in-browser option
- While regional maps can be created using the software, it is certainly not meant for this application
- No free option
- From personal experience, can crash unexpectedly on the M1 Macbook Air
- Fewer assets than Inkarnate
Use Case
Dungeondraft has been my go-to battle map creator recently, especially when doing an interior scene such as a dungeon, cave, or fortress. In my opinion, Dungeondraft’s Building Tool is the quickest and most effective way to create indoor battle maps out of any D&D map making software available on the market.
Buy Dungeondraft for $29.99 at https://dungeondraft.net/
4. Dungeon Scrawl
Dungeon Scrawl is an online map builder designed to create simple maps with a hand-drawn feel.
Pros
- Import from donjon Random Dungeon generator (now only available for paid subscribers)
- The UI is very clean and easy to use
- The simplified purpose of the tool allows the creation of complex buildings or intricate tunnels very quickly
- Free to use
- Tons of unlimited pixel exportable options that can integrate with Photoshop or Illustrator to further populate maps
- Assets by Two Minute Tabletop (for non-commercial use only)
Cons
- Maps cannot mimic real-world textures like Inkarnate or Dungeon Fog
- Battlemaps only, no regional map options
Use Case
Dungeon Scrawl is meant to do one thing really well, create intricate dungeons. Whether you are creating a large building with multiple rooms and floors, or a cavern that twists and turns under the ground, Dungeon Scrawl is the best option to create them quickly and effectively.
If you would like your dungeon to be populated with intricate features, Inkarnate is a better bet but it will take much longer to produce a quality result.
You can check out Dungeon Scrawl for free at app.dungeonscrawl.com. If you like it, please support the developers 🙂
5. Dungeon Fog
Dungeon Fog is similar to Inkarnate. It is an online builder that has tons of assets and textures with a freemium model.
Pros
- Can organize maps into groups or “floors” as well as into campaigns
- Door and windows snap to walls allowing for easier creation of multiple rooms
- Better organization of assets than Inkarnate
- Can be used to make regional maps and battle maps
Cons
- Much more expensive than Inkarnate
- Less free assets than Inkarnate
- UI isn’t very easy to navigate
- Very hard to find which assets can be used for free users
Use Case
Dungeon Fog is a competitor with Inkarnate, but in my opinion, it is more expensive with a less user-friendly interface and limited functionality.
The biggest advantage Dungeon Fog has over Inkarnate is the ability to quickly make dungeons or large buildings with interconnecting rooms.
For a full review of the software check out our Dungeon Fog Review. You can check out Dungeon Fog at dungeonfog.com and get 10% off using the coupon code ARCANEEYE.
6. Dungeon Builder by Hobbyte
Hobbyte is a downloadable map builder that focuses on isometric (3D) dungeons.
Pros
- Extremely unique and cool way of displaying maps
- Commercial options available
- Can make small regional maps and dungeon maps
- Easy to mod assets
- You can roll dice, open doors, reveal traps, and gradually present your maps manually or using their fog of war feature. This is important because these maps would be extremely difficult to use in a typical online platform like Roll20 and Fantasy Grounds.
- Scalable exporting to fit any resolution
Cons
- The free version is more of a demo than a viable map maker
- Commercial licenses are much more expensive than Inkarnate
- Maps can be confusing to look at
- No online solution
Use Case
Hobbyte is the best option for isometric D&D maps. Not everybody will be looking for a solution to make isometric maps, but if you are this is the best option.
You can check out the free verion of Hobbyte here and purchase the Dungeon Builder and commercial licenses here.
7. RPG Map Editor 2
RPG Map Editor 2 is an online and downloadable D&D map maker that focuses on pixel-style maps.
Pros
- The best thing about this tool, in my opinion, is its integration with the Watabou One Page Dungeons tool and the donjon Random Dungeon Generator. Both of these tools are stellar starts to creating a dungeon, and being able to manipulate them with RPG Map Editor 2 really brings it home.
- Completely free (even commercial use)
- Cool, pixel-style aesthetic
- Maps can be exported to upload to Roll20 or other virtual tabletops
Cons
- There aren’t a ton of assets or textures but you can custom import icons
- Focuses mainly on dungeons, rather than other types of maps
Use Case
RPG Map Editor 2 is a great tool for creating simpler dungeons. I use it when I want to pre-generate the dungeon using Watabou or donjon and then make edits to the layout with RPG Map Editor.
You can RPG Map Editor 2 for free here. If you enjoy using it, please support the devs 🙂
8. Profantasy’s Campaign Cartographer 3
CC3 is easily the most intensive (and expensive) map making software available on the market.
Pros
- Extremely powerful, vector-based, CAD software
- Frequently featured on HumbleBundle to make the large price tag more palatable
- Add ons can allow for making all kinds of maps from large-scale regional maps down to small-scale, single building maps
- Tons of asset packs available for download that can customize the way your maps look and feel. Plus, some asset packs are by Mike Schley, a professional map maker who has made maps for many official D&D modules
Cons
- Gaining access to the entire suite of map making tools can cost $1245 USD when not on sale
- Because the functionality is so extensive, there is a very steep learning curve
Use Case
Campaign Cartographer 3 is for hardcore map builders. If you want to invest time and money into becoming a professional or semi-professional map builder, CC3 is for you. If you are a DM who is looking for quick and easy software to make maps for their sessions, I would strongly consider looking at other options.
Best Random Map Generators for D&D
With the click of a button, these tools can randomly generate maps based on the criteria and settings you’ve specified.
Each of these options focuses on one particular area: dungeons/buildings, cities, and world maps. Unfortunately, there aren’t any good options for a randomly generated battle map maker yet.
Donjon
The Donjon random dungeon generator is a tool that allows users to quickly create complex buildings and intricate tunnels. 
Pros
- Clean and easy-to-use user interface
- Can quickly create complex buildings and intricate tunnels
- Free to use
- Variety of unlimited pixel exportable options that can be integrated with Photoshop or Illustrator to further populate maps
- Can use in your browser, without the need to download software
Cons
- Maps cannot mimic real-world textures like Inkarnate or Dungeondraft
- It only generates dungeons or interior spaces
- No way to manipulate the maps after they’ve been generated, without importing to external software like Illustrator or Dungeon Scrawl
Use Case
If you’re planning an extensive dungeon crawl, a Donjon-generated map can give you the baseline for your area in a matter of seconds. However, if you would like your dungeon to be populated with intricate features, I would look elsewhere.
You can use the tool here: https://donjon.bin.sh/fantasy/dungeon/
Watabou’s Medieval Fantasy City Generator
The Medieval Fantasy City Generator is a tool that enables users to create detailed and customizable medieval fantasy cities.
Pros
- Easy and quick to use
- Impressive range of customizable options, allowing users to tailor the city to their specific needs
- Free
- Browser-based
Cons
- The tool is primarily focused on creating cities, and it does not offer options to create other types of locations like dungeons or wilderness areas
- While the tool provides a range of customizable options, some users may find that the options are limited compared to other tools in the market
- Once the city is generated, you have to export and make any adjustments in an external software
Use Case
The Medieval Fantasy City Generator is an excellent tool for Dungeon Masters who need to create detailed and unique city maps. With its ease of use and range of customizable options, it allows users to quickly create detailed city maps that are tailored to their specific needs.
Visit the generator at https://watabou.itch.io/medieval-fantasy-city-generator
Azgaar’s Fantasy Map Generator
Azgaar’s Fantasy Map Generator is a web-based tool that enables users to generate detailed, customizable fantasy world maps.
Pros
- Quick and easy, users can generate a complete fantasy world with just a few clicks
- Offers an impressive range of customizable options, allowing users to tailor the map to their specific needs
- There are some options to adjust the map after it’s been generated to better suit your purpose
- Free to use
- Browser-based
Cons
- The tool is solely focused on creating world/region maps, and it does not offer options to create other types of locations like dungeons or cities
- While the tool provides a range of customizable options, some users may find that the options are limited compared to other tools in the market
- The generated maps can also appear more simplistic and less detailed than maps created with other specialized tools
Use Case
Azgaar’s Fantasy Map Generator is an excellent tool for Dungeon Masters who need to create detailed and unique fantasy maps. This tool can singlehandedly create the overview for a new D&D world in a matter of seconds, making it perfect for DMs that are starting new campaigns.
You can use the tool for free here: https://azgaar.github.io/Fantasy-Map-Generator/
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