10 Best Ways To Level Up Fast In Skyrim

Leveling up fast in Skyrim isn’t just about grinding — it’s about playing smart. Whether you’re a new Dragonborn or a seasoned adventurer starting fresh, there are plenty of efficient ways to speed up your progression and become powerful early on. In this guide, we’ll cover the 10 best ways to level up fast in Skyrim, helping you build your character faster, unlock powerful perks, and take on tougher enemies with confidence.

#10: Exploit Trainers for Free Skill Levels

Some followers in Skyrim double as trainers. You can pay them to train a skill, then simply access their inventory and take the gold back—essentially getting free skill levels. This works best with companions like Faendal (Archery) or Aela the Huntress (Archery). Use this trick early to quickly boost important skills without wasting gold.

#9: Complete Quests with Skill Rewards

Many quests in Skyrim offer permanent skill increases as part of their rewards. For example, finishing the “Unfathomable Depths” quest gives you a bonus to armor skills, while joining the Thieves Guild boosts Sneak and Lockpicking. Prioritize these quests early on to get free boosts and level up faster without grinding.

#8: Pickpocket and Sell for Speech and Pickpocket

Leveling Speech and Pickpocket simultaneously is a great way to boost your character early on. Steal valuable items from NPCs using Pickpocket, then sell them to merchants to increase your Speech skill. Targeting high-value, lightweight items gives the most XP, and repeating the cycle accelerates both skills quickly.

#7: Use Illusion Spells in Crowded Areas

Casting Illusion spells like Calm, Courage, or Muffle in populated zones—such as towns or busy dungeons—is an easy and safe way to grind your Illusion skill. Even if the spells don’t visibly affect others, just casting them still grants XP. Pair this with cheap spells and enough Magicka regeneration to level up fast without engaging in combat.

#6: Fight Low-Damage Enemies for Combat Skills

One of the safest and most efficient ways to level up your combat-related skills—like One-Handed, Two-Handed, Block, and Heavy Armor—is by fighting low-damage enemies such as mudcrabs, skeevers, or wolves. Let them attack while you block or trade blows, giving you steady XP without much risk. This lets you train skills passively while keeping healing items and gear wear to a minimum.

#5: Train with NPCs for Instant Skill Boosts

Paying trainers is one of the fastest ways to level up specific skills in Skyrim. Each trainer can level you up five times per character level, giving you quick boosts in anything from Smithing to Destruction. For even more value, pickpocket your gold back afterward (if your Pickpocket skill is high enough). Focus on skills tied to your chosen build to gain effective levels while also unlocking better perks faster.

#4: Enchant Low-Value Items for Enchanting

One of the fastest ways to level up your Enchanting skill is by enchanting cheap items like iron daggers, wooden swords, or basic jewelry. Use petty or lesser soul gems and simple enchantments like Fortify Health or Fire Damage. Not only is this a cost-effective method, but it also gives consistent XP. Make sure to disenchant high-tier items early to unlock strong enchantments, then mass-produce gear to level up quickly.

#3: Craft High-Value Items for Smithing

To speed up Smithing progression in Skyrim, focus on crafting high-value gear like Dwarven bows, jewelry with gems, or upgraded armor sets. These items give more XP than low-tier options like iron daggers. Use Fortify Smithing gear and potions to boost your effectiveness at grind sessions. Combine this with a steady supply of ingots and materials from vendors or mining to level up fast without running out of resources.

#2: Sneak Attack Sleeping NPCs or Dummies

One of the fastest ways to level up your Sneak skill in Skyrim is by repeatedly performing sneak attacks on sleeping NPCs or practice dummies. Find an NPC who’s asleep (like in bandit camps or inns), crouch behind them, and use a dagger or fists for silent strikes. Make sure you’re hidden before attacking to maximize XP gain. This method is safe, repeatable, and highly effective, especially at lower levels.

#1: Spam High-Magicka Spells for Magic Skills

To level up magic skills quickly in Skyrim, cast high-cost spells like Telekinesis, Guardian Circle, or Mass Paralysis repeatedly. These spells consume large amounts of Magicka, accelerating XP gain for their respective schools. Use gear or potions that reduce spell costs to keep casting longer. The more Magicka a spell drains, the faster you’ll level up—so spam efficiently to max out skills like Alteration, Restoration, or Illusion in no time.

Conclusion

Leveling up fast in Skyrim comes down to smart planning and taking advantage of the game’s mechanics. Whether you’re grinding major skills, abusing trainer exploits, or crafting your way to mastery, each method offers a powerful shortcut to becoming stronger. Stick to a focused strategy, combine skill training with efficient XP farming, and you’ll find yourself dominating Tamriel with ease. With these tips, you’ll hit high levels faster than ever—ready to face dragons, dungeons, and everything in between.