Best Free D&D Map Makers Ranked (With Pros and Cons)

When you’re running a Dungeons & Dragons game, maps are more than just pretty artwork. They’re the stage where your story unfolds, the battleground for your players’ adventures, and the tool that helps everyone picture the same world in their minds. Whether you’re building sprawling cities, eerie dungeons, or tangled wilderness, a good map can make your session feel immersive and alive.

But here’s the tricky part—quality map-making software can get expensive. Luckily, there are excellent free D&D map makers that give you professional-level results without costing a single gold piece. Some are sleek and intuitive. Others are powerful but require a learning curve. A few offer a mix of both.

Below is a ranked list of the best free D&D map makers available right now, each with their strengths, weaknesses, and ideal use cases.

1. Inkarnate – The King of Visual Appeal

Inkarnate has earned its reputation as one of the most visually stunning map-making tools out there. Even on the free plan, you get access to a solid library of high-quality assets, from detailed mountains and forests to buildings and furniture. The interface is beginner-friendly, but still deep enough to keep veterans engaged.

Pros:

• Gorgeous, professional-quality art style.
• Intuitive drag-and-drop editor.
• Works for world maps, regional maps, and battle maps.

Cons:

• Some of the best assets are locked behind the paid version.
• Limited export resolution for free users.

Best For: Dungeon Masters who want their maps to wow players with rich detail and vibrant colors.

2. Dungeon Scrawl – Minimalist Speed

Sometimes, you don’t need fancy textures or ultra-detailed terrain—you just need a quick dungeon layout. Dungeon Scrawl is perfect for that. It’s a lightweight, browser-based tool focused entirely on dungeon and cave maps. The style is clean, almost blueprint-like, making it easy to read during play.

Pros:

• Lightning-fast dungeon creation.
• Extremely simple interface.
• Great for black-and-white old-school designs.

Cons:

• Not suitable for overland or city maps.
• Limited decorative options.

Best For: Quick dungeon prep when you’re running a game in just a few hours.

3. Azgaar’s Fantasy Map Generator – Infinite Worlds

If you’ve ever dreamed of generating an entire fantasy continent in seconds, Azgaar’s Fantasy Map Generator is your tool. It creates vast, procedurally generated maps with political boundaries, biomes, and cities already placed. You can tweak everything—from mountain ranges to climate zones—until it’s exactly how you want.

Pros:

• Generates massive, detailed worlds instantly.
• Highly customizable with deep settings.
• Includes political, terrain, and population layers.

Cons:

• Overwhelming for first-time users.
• Best suited for worldbuilding rather than tactical play.

Best For: Campaigns that span multiple nations, continents, or entire worlds.

4. Dungeon Map Doodler – Fun and Fast

Dungeon Map Doodler is a straightforward online map maker that’s all about speed and simplicity. It works in your browser, lets you sketch out a dungeon or town quickly, and then decorate with a set of clean, consistent icons. It’s not as deep as some competitors, but it’s great for getting a usable map on the table fast.

Pros:

• Works entirely in-browser.
• Easy to learn with minimal setup.
• Quick exports for use in virtual tabletops.

Cons:

• Limited asset variety.
• Doesn’t support complex textures or 3D effects.

Best For: DMs who want something between “artistic” and “functional” without spending hours designing.

5. Watabou’s Medieval Fantasy City Generator – Instant Cities

Need a city? This tool makes one in seconds. Watabou’s Medieval Fantasy City Generator is a procedural city creator that produces sprawling medieval layouts with roads, districts, and buildings. While the style is minimalistic, it’s incredibly useful for understanding how a city is structured.

Pros:

• Creates believable, organic city layouts instantly.
• Fully randomizable and customizable.
• Perfect for last-minute urban encounters.

Cons:

• No terrain or decorative art.
• Works best as a planning tool rather than a finished battle map.

Best For: When your party unexpectedly decides to explore a city you hadn’t planned.

6. RPG Map Editor 2 – Browser-Based Flexibility

This free online tool offers a tile-based editor that’s surprisingly versatile. It works well for indoor maps, towns, and even small outdoor areas. The free version still gives you a variety of assets, with the option to import your own for a more personalized look.

Pros:

• Tile-based system is fast to use.
• Supports custom asset uploads.
• Great for both tactical and narrative maps.

Cons:

• Interface can feel a bit clunky at first.
• Limited to smaller-scale maps unless you get creative.

Best For: DMs who like a mix of tactical utility and creative flexibility.

7. Donjon’s Random Dungeon Generator – Old-School Utility

Donjon has been a staple for dungeon masters for years. It’s not flashy, but it’s one of the fastest ways to generate a functional dungeon complete with rooms, corridors, and optional traps. You can print the map or export it for online use, making it great for quick improvisation.

Pros:

• Generates dungeons instantly.
• Includes random encounters and loot options.
• Simple export and print features.

Cons:

• Very basic visuals.
• Limited customization for aesthetics.

Best For: Emergency dungeon prep when you’ve got minutes to spare.

Which Free Map Maker Should You Use?

The right choice depends on your needs. If you want jaw-dropping visuals, Inkarnate is hard to beat. For quick layouts, Dungeon Scrawl or Dungeon Map Doodler will save you time. If you’re building a sprawling world, Azgaar’s Fantasy Map Generator is your best bet. And if you just need a city in seconds, Watabou’s City Generator delivers every time.

Some Dungeon Masters even combine multiple tools—using Azgaar for the world, Watabou for cities, and Inkarnate for player-facing battle maps. That way, you get the strengths of each without being limited by a single tool’s weaknesses.

A good map doesn’t just guide your players; it shapes the way they experience your world. Whether you’re mapping out an entire continent or sketching a single dungeon corridor, the right free D&D map maker can elevate your storytelling without costing you a copper. Experiment, mix and match tools, and find the combination that matches your creative style. In the end, the map is just the beginning—the real magic happens when your players start exploring.