DnD 5e Point Buy Calculator (27 Points)
Free DnD 5e point buy calculator — 27-point buy with 2014 racial ASI, 2024 species & backgrounds, Tasha’s origins, house rules, and shareable builds.
Buy scores from 8–15 before bonuses. 15 costs 9 points (RAW).
Ability scores
Race & ASI
Suggested classes
Based on your final scores (not a rules mandate).
- Barbarian
- Bard
- Cleric
- Druid
Final sheet
| Score | Buy | Bonus | Total | Mod |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| STR | 8 | — | 8 | -1 |
| DEX | 8 | — | 8 | -1 |
| CON | 8 | — | 8 | -1 |
| INT | 8 | — | 8 | -1 |
| WIS | 8 | — | 8 | -1 |
| CHA | 8 | — | 8 | -1 |
Updated August 2026 — supports classic 2014 racial ASI, 2024 background increases, Tasha’s floating ASI, custom races, and house-rule cost tables with shareable links.
Build fair, readable ability arrays in seconds. Dice Cove’s point buy calculator is the interactive version of the Player’s Handbook 27-point cost table — plus optional modes (Tasha’s, custom budgets) that static charts leave out.
How to use this calculator
- Pick 2014 races or 2024 origins at the top.
- Raise ability scores with + / − until your budget hits 27 (or your table’s total).
- Apply racial bonuses, Tasha’s picks, or a 2024 background ASI.
- Use a preset if you want a known-good array shape.
- Copy link or Copy summary for your VTT, Discord, or character sheet.
Standard point costs (RAW)
Scores below 8 refund points (useful for house rules that allow dumps). RAW play usually stays in the 8–15 band with a 27-point budget.
| Score | Point cost | Modifier |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | 0 | −1 |
| 9 | 1 | −1 |
| 10 | 2 | +0 |
| 11 | 3 | +0 |
| 12 | 4 | +1 |
| 13 | 5 | +1 |
| 14 | 7 | +2 |
| 15 | 9 | +2 |
The jump from 13→14 and 14→15 is why so many optimized arrays top out at two 15s (or one 15 and a 14) before racial or background bonuses. The calculator highlights remaining points so you never overspend mid-build.
Worked examples (27 points)
These start as purchased scores only — add race/background ASI after.
- Martial primary (15 / 14 / 13 / 12 / 10 / 8) — 9+7+5+4+2+0 = 27. After a +2/+1 you often land a 17 and 15 for attack and constitution.
- Caster primary (15 / 15 / 13 / 10 / 8 / 8) — 9+9+5+2+0+0 = 27. Two 15s let you float the second bump into Con or Dex once bonuses land.
- Even spread (14 / 14 / 14 / 10 / 10 / 10) — 7+7+7+2+2+2 = 27. Good for multiclass or skill-heavy characters who hate dump stats.
- Balanced mid (13 / 13 / 13 / 12 / 12 / 12) — 5+5+5+4+4+4 = 27. Soft start that stays playable if ASI timing is uncertain.
Preset chips in the tool apply legal 27-point arrays instantly so you can focus on race/background placement instead of arithmetic. After bonuses, check modifiers: a 16 (+3) in your key ability is the usual level-1 goal for martials and casters alike.
2014 vs 2024 ability increases
Legacy fifth edition ties ability bumps to race and subrace (Mountain Dwarf +2 Strength/+2 Constitution, High Elf +2 Dexterity/+1 Intelligence, and so on). The 2024 Player’s Handbook moves those increases to backgrounds so species flavor stays while mechanical optimization becomes more flexible.
Use 2014 mode when your table still uses racial ASI from older books. Use 2024 mode when backgrounds grant +2/+1 or +1/+1/+1. Flip on Tasha’s when the DM allows floating ASI regardless of edition branding.
Point buy vs standard array vs rolling
Point buy keeps the party fair and rebuildable — ideal for Adventurers League-style tables and online games. Standard array (15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8) is faster but less flexible. Rolling (often 4d6 drop lowest) can spike higher but creates unequal characters. Dice Cove’s 4d6 roller covers the rolled method; this page covers the balanced method.
Related session tools
- Character sheet — paste your scores and export a PDF when the array is set.
- Hit point calculator — turn Constitution into HP across levels and multiclass dips.
- Carrying capacity — check what that Strength score actually lets you haul.
- Initiative tracker — run the first combat once the party is built.
Frequently asked questions
How does point buy work in D&D 5e?
You start with 27 points. Each ability score begins at 8 (free). Raising a score costs points on a progressive scale — 14 costs 7 points total, 15 costs 9. Scores cannot go below 8 or above 15 before racial or background bonuses.
What is the 27 point buy chart?
8 costs 0, 9 costs 1, 10 costs 2, 11 costs 3, 12 costs 4, 13 costs 5, 14 costs 7, and 15 costs 9. The expensive jump from 13→14 and 14→15 is why most optimized arrays stop at one or two 15s before bonuses.
What is the difference between 2014 and 2024 mode?
In 2014 (legacy) mode, your race or subrace grants fixed ability score increases, sometimes with player choices (Half-Elf, Changeling, Warforged, etc.). In 2024 mode, species do not grant ASI — your background provides +2/+1 or +1/+1/+1 to its listed abilities.
What are Tasha’s custom origins?
Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything lets you move racial ability score increases. Turn on Custom +2/+1 or +1/+1/+1 to assign bonuses to any abilities while still noting your race for flavor and traits.
Is point buy better than the standard array?
Point buy is more flexible: you can dump a dump-stat harder or keep a third mid score. The standard array (15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8) is faster and still fair. Both keep parties balanced compared with rolling 4d6 drop lowest.
Can I use house rules?
Yes. Open House rules to change the point budget, minimum and maximum purchasable scores, and the cost of each score. Use Restore RAW costs to snap back to the Player’s Handbook defaults.
How do I share a build?
Your build is stored in the page URL hash and in local browser storage. Click Copy link to share with a friend or DM, or Copy summary for a plain-text character-sheet paste.
Does this replace the official books?
No. Dice Cove calculates point costs and ability totals for convenience. Always follow your DM’s table rules and consult official source books for racial traits, backgrounds, and feats.
Looking for more table tools? Browse the session tools hub, the D&D dice roller, or fantasy name generators once the numbers are set.