D&D Dice Roller

A standard D&D set has seven dice: d4, d6, d8, d10, a percentile d10 marked in tens, d12, and d20. The d20 decides whether something works. The rest measure what happens next, mostly damage and healing. Roll any of them above, singly or in handfuls, with a modifier on the total.

What each die is for

The d20 carries attack rolls, saving throws, and ability checks. One die, one roll, compare against a target number. Almost every moment where the table goes quiet involves a d20.

The rest of the set does damage and healing. A dagger deals d4, a longsword d8, a greataxe d12. Spells lean on the d6 harder than anything else, which is why fireball asks for 8d6 and sneak attack piles up d6 by the handful. The d10 sits in the middle, common on hit dice and heavier weapons.

The percentile d10 is the odd one. Paired with the regular d10, it reads 00 to 90 in tens, so the two together give a number from 1 to 100 for random tables. Both zeros means 100, not zero. You can also just roll a d100 here and skip the pairing.

Character creation is the other big d6 job: four of them, drop the lowest, six times over. The stat roller does that in one click.

Advantage and disadvantage

Roll two d20s instead of one. With advantage you use the higher result, with disadvantage the lower. That’s the whole rule, and per the 5e rules you never roll more than two d20s no matter how many effects stack up. Advantage and disadvantage on the same roll cancel out, and you roll one die.

The size of the swing surprises people. Against a target of 15, a single d20 gets there 30% of the time. With advantage, 51%. Nothing else in the game hands you that much for free, which is why so many spells and features are written to grant it.

Advantage helps most in the middle of the range and least at the extremes. If you need a 2 or a 20, a second die barely moves anything.

Rolling faster at the table

Type the roll instead of clicking if you know dice notation. 2d20kh1 is advantage. 8d6 is a fireball. 1d8+3 is your longsword with a Strength bonus.

For the shapes themselves and where each one shows up outside D&D, see the rundown of die types.

FAQ

What dice do I need to play D&D?

Seven: a d4, d6, d8, d10, percentile d10, d12, and d20. Most players buy extra d6s, since spell damage and sneak attack ask for them in fistfuls, and a second d20 for advantage. This roller covers all of it, so you can play a session with nothing on the table.

How do I roll with advantage?

Roll two d20s and take the higher one. Set the count to two and roll, or type 2d20kh1 and let the roller keep the highest for you. Disadvantage is the same roll with the lower die taken instead. Both are common enough that you’ll use them every session.

What is a percentile die used for?

Random tables that run from 1 to 100: wild magic surges, treasure hoards, and trinkets. The percentile d10 gives the tens digit and a normal d10 gives the units, so 40 and 7 reads as 47. Double zero counts as 100. Rolling a single d100 gives the same result.

Do I roll one d20 or several for an ability check?

One, unless you have advantage or disadvantage, and then it’s two with the higher or lower taken. Rolling a fistful of d20s and picking a favorite isn’t a rule anywhere in 5e. The modifier from your ability score gets added to that single result.