About & Methodology
An independent, free fan tool for board game nights.
How boards are generated
- Shuffle terrain and number tokens using the component counts on our tiles page.
- Reject any layout that breaks your chosen rules (6 & 8 apart, no same numbers touching, etc.).
- Generate 30 valid candidates and keep the one with the highest balance score.
The balance score
Starts at 100; points come off for touching red numbers, same-resource neighbours, uneven pip share per resource and a large gap between the best and sixth-best start spots. Probabilities come from standard two-dice odds (chart).
Independence
Not affiliated with Catan GmbH or Catan Studio. Some outbound shop links may earn us a commission; they are marked and never affect the tool. Feedback: contact us.
Next step → Generate a balanced board
Updated 2026-10-26 · about & methodology
More tools & guides
Board generator (3-4 players)
Classic 19-hex balanced map5-6 player generator
30-hex extension layoutBalanced board rules
How fair boards are builtDice probability chart
Odds & pips for 2-12How to set up a board
Variable setup stepsIsland & seafaring ideas
Custom scenario inspirationBest starting positions
Pick opening spots by pipsTiles & number tokens
Full component counts
Classic 19-hex balanced map5-6 player generator
30-hex extension layoutBalanced board rules
How fair boards are builtDice probability chart
Odds & pips for 2-12How to set up a board
Variable setup stepsIsland & seafaring ideas
Custom scenario inspirationBest starting positions
Pick opening spots by pipsTiles & number tokens
Full component counts
Don’t own the game yet?
HexBoardGen works with the base game and the 5-6 player extension. Check prices on Amazon.
Get new board modes first
One email when we add a new generator mode or guide. No spam.