D&D 5e Point Buy Calculator
Set your six ability scores from 8 to 15, track point cost instantly, and stay within your budget (27 by default).
How point buy works in D&D 5e
The 5e point buy system lets you build ability scores with a fixed budget instead of rolling dice. Every ability starts at 8, and you spend points to increase scores up to 15 before ancestry/racial bonuses. This method is popular because it keeps characters balanced while still letting you customize strengths and weaknesses.
Officially, most games use a 27-point budget. You can spend all 27 points for a fully optimized array, or leave points unspent if you want a lower-power character concept.
Official 5e point buy cost table
| Score | Point Cost | Score | Point Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 0 | 12 | 4 |
| 9 | 1 | 13 | 5 |
| 10 | 2 | 14 | 7 |
| 11 | 3 | 15 | 9 |
How to use this point buy calculator 5e tool
- Set your budget (27 by default).
- Enter each score between 8 and 15 for STR, DEX, CON, INT, WIS, CHA.
- Watch the live point cost, remaining points, and ability modifiers update instantly.
- Use Reset to start over, or Standard Array Order for a quick baseline.
Build planning tips
1) Prioritize your primary stat
Most classes want one key stat at 15 before ancestry/racial bonuses. For example, Wizards often start with INT 15, while Fighters commonly choose STR or DEX 15 depending on build.
2) Protect your survivability
Constitution is valuable for almost every class. Even if you are optimizing damage, a decent CON helps with hit points and concentration saves.
3) Know whether your class is SAD or MAD
SAD (single-ability dependent) classes can concentrate points efficiently. MAD (multiple-ability dependent) classes, like Monk or Paladin, often spread points across two or three important stats and may avoid expensive jumps unless necessary.
Common legal arrays (27 points)
- 15, 15, 15, 8, 8, 8 (hyper-focused, very specialized)
- 15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8 (standard array values)
- 15, 14, 14, 10, 10, 8 (strong core with solid secondary defense)
- 14, 14, 14, 12, 10, 10 (balanced all-around spread)
FAQ
Can I buy a 16 at character creation?
Not with core point buy alone. The pre-bonus cap is 15. You reach 16 or 17 by applying ancestry/racial bonuses after point buy.
Is point buy better than rolling?
It depends on the table. Point buy is fair and consistent; rolling can be exciting but swingy. If your group values balance, point buy is usually preferred.
Does this calculator support house rules?
Yes. Change the budget field to match your campaign rules (for example 30-point heroic campaigns).