The 5e Point Buy Calculator allows players to quickly determine the total point cost of their chosen ability scores, ensuring they stay within the 27-point budget prescribed by the Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition ruleset.
5e Point Buy Calculator
Select a score (from 8 to 15) for each ability. The maximum total point cost is 27.
Calculation Breakdown
5e Point Buy Calculator Formula
Remaining Points = 27 – Total Points Used
Where Cost(Score) is:
8 = 0, 9 = 1, 10 = 2, 11 = 3, 12 = 4, 13 = 5, 14 = 7, 15 = 9
Formula Source: Roll20 D&D 5e Rules, Fandom Tabletop Wiki
Variables
- Strength (STR): A measure of physical power and prowess.
- Dexterity (DEX): A measure of agility, reflexes, and balance.
- Constitution (CON): A measure of endurance, stamina, and health.
- Intelligence (INT): A measure of mental acuity, information recall, and logic.
- Wisdom (WIS): A measure of common sense, perception, and intuition.
- Charisma (CHA): A measure of persuasive ability, force of personality, and leadership.
- Total Points Used: The sum of the point costs for the six ability scores. Must be 27 or less.
Related Calculators
Explore other essential tools for your D&D campaign:
- 5e Damage Per Round Calculator
- D&D 5e Proficiency Bonus Table
- Critical Hit Chance Calculator (TTRPG)
- Maximum Carry Weight Tool
What is 5e point buy calculator?
The 5th Edition (5e) of Dungeons & Dragons offers several methods for generating a character’s starting Ability Scores. The Point Buy system is one of the most popular because it ensures fairness and balance across all characters at the table. Instead of relying on random dice rolls (Standard Array or 4d6 drop the lowest), Point Buy gives every player a fixed budget—27 points—to “buy” their six ability scores (STR, DEX, CON, INT, WIS, CHA).
The core concept is that higher scores cost progressively more points. For instance, increasing a score from 14 to 15 costs 2 points (9 – 7 = 2), whereas increasing a score from 8 to 9 only costs 1 point (1 – 0 = 1). This steep curve encourages players to make strategic choices, balancing powerful scores (14 or 15) with scores that are merely average (10 or 11).
The calculator module provided here automates the process of tallying these costs. By selecting a score for each ability, the tool instantly calculates the total points spent and verifies whether the selection adheres to the 27-point maximum budget, preventing common calculation errors and speeding up character creation.
How to Calculate 5e Point Buy (Example)
- Determine Desired Scores: A player wants the following scores: STR 15, DEX 14, CON 13, INT 12, WIS 10, CHA 8.
- Look Up Each Score’s Cost:
- STR 15: Costs 9 points.
- DEX 14: Costs 7 points.
- CON 13: Costs 5 points.
- INT 12: Costs 4 points.
- WIS 10: Costs 2 points.
- CHA 8: Costs 0 points.
- Sum the Total Costs: Add all the individual costs together: $9 + 7 + 5 + 4 + 2 + 0 = 27$ points.
- Check Against the Budget: The total cost (27) is exactly equal to the maximum budget (27). This character build is valid.
- Find Remaining Points: $27 – 27 = 0$ remaining points.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the minimum score I can choose with Point Buy?
The minimum score allowed in the 5e Point Buy system is 8, which costs 0 points.
What is the maximum score I can choose with Point Buy?
The maximum score you can choose before applying racial bonuses is 15, which costs 9 points.
Can I have multiple scores of 15?
Yes, but having two scores of 15 (9 + 9 = 18 points) severely limits your points for the remaining four abilities (27 – 18 = 9 points left for four scores).
Does this calculator include racial bonuses?
No, this calculator strictly calculates the 27-point initial investment. Racial bonuses must be applied to the calculated scores afterwards.