- Modifier
- 0
- Point-buy cost
- 2 points
| Score | Modifier | Point-buy cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | −5 | – |
| 2 | −4 | – |
| 3 | −4 | – |
| 4 | −3 | – |
| 5 | −3 | – |
| 6 | −2 | – |
| 7 | −2 | – |
| 8 | −1 | 0 |
| 9 | −1 | 1 |
| 10 | 0 | 2 |
| 11 | 0 | 3 |
| 12 | +1 | 4 |
| 13 | +1 | 5 |
| 14 | +2 | 7 |
| 15 | +2 | 9 |
| 16 | +3 | – |
| 17 | +3 | – |
| 18 | +4 | – |
| 19 | +4 | – |
| 20 | +5 | – |
| 21 | +5 | – |
| 22 | +6 | – |
| 23 | +6 | – |
| 24 | +7 | – |
| 25 | +7 | – |
| 26 | +8 | – |
| 27 | +8 | – |
| 28 | +9 | – |
| 29 | +9 | – |
| 30 | +10 | – |
Type any ability score from 1 to 30 to see its modifier and, for scores from 8 to 15, its point buy cost. The table lists every score at once; tap a row to load it.
How ability scores turn into modifiers
Ability scores matter mostly through their modifiers. Subtract 10 from the score, divide by 2 and round down. A 10 or 11 gives +0, a 12 or 13 gives +1, a 14 or 15 gives +2, and so on. Below 10 the modifier turns negative, so an 8 or 9 is −1.
That modifier shows up almost everywhere: attack and damage rolls, skill checks, saving throws, Armor Class for many characters, hit points from Constitution, and the spell save DC for casters, which is 8 + your proficiency bonus + your spellcasting modifier.
Worked example
A cleric with 16 Wisdom has a +3 modifier, because (16 − 10) ÷ 2 = 3. At first level the proficiency bonus is +2, so the cleric's spell save DC is 8 + 2 + 3 = 13 and their spell attack bonus is +5.
Score ranges at a glance
- 1: the lowest possible score, with a −5 modifier.
- 3 to 18: what dice can produce at character creation.
- 8 to 15: what you can buy with point buy, before bonuses.
- 20: the normal maximum for player characters.
- 30: the cap in the rules, reached only by gods and the most powerful monsters.
Making a new character? Start with the point buy calculator, or roll your scores with the stat roller.
Questions
What is a good ability score in 5e?
For your main ability, aim for 16 or 17 at first level, which you get from a 15 plus a bonus. A 14 is solid for secondary abilities, and 10 is average for an ordinary person.
What is the maximum ability score?
Player characters normally top out at 20. Some magic items and epic boons can push a score past that, up to the hard cap of 30.
Are odd ability scores useless?
Not quite. An odd score gives the same modifier as the even score below it, but it's one step from the next modifier. A +1 from a feat or an Ability Score Improvement turns a 15 into a 16 and raises the modifier.
What does the point cost column mean?
It shows how many of your 27 points that score costs with point buy. Only scores from 8 to 15 can be bought, so the others show a dash.