To determine a saving throw in D&D 5e, use the ability named by the effect, roll a d20, and add that ability’s modifier. Add your proficiency bonus only if you’re proficient in that specific saving throw, then apply any other relevant modifiers and compare the total with the effect’s Difficulty Class (DC). The effect tells you what happens on a success or failure. The steps below follow the 2024 Basic Rules; a separate section explains the 2014 spell save DC formula.
How to calculate a saving throw
- Identify the save. The spell, monster feature, trap, or other effect names the ability to use. If it does not, the DM determines the appropriate save. The six options are Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma. The 2024 Playing the Game rules associate them with different kinds of resistance, such as Strength against force, Dexterity to dodge, and Constitution to endure a hazard.
- Roll one d20. Saving throws are D20 Tests under the 2024 rules.
- Add the matching ability modifier. Use the modifier for the ability named by the save, not a related skill modifier.
- Add proficiency if you have proficiency in that saving throw. Proficiency applies to particular save types, not to every save or to a related skill. The 2024 rules state: “You add your Proficiency Bonus to your saving throw if you have proficiency in that kind of save.” Each class grants proficiency in at least two saving throws under the 2024 character creation rules.
- Apply other relevant effects. A feature, spell, condition, or other rule may grant a bonus or penalty, or impose advantage or disadvantage. Under the 2014 rules, advantage means rolling two d20s and using the higher; disadvantage means using the lower. If both apply, they cancel and you roll one d20. The 2014 rules also say you cannot add proficiency bonus more than once to a roll.
- Compare the total with the DC. In the 2024 D20 Test procedure, a total equal to or higher than the DC succeeds. Follow the effect’s wording for the consequences of success or failure; a successful save may avoid or reduce harm, but the effect determines the result.
Which ability does each saving throw use?
The effect determines the save type; you do not choose your character’s strongest ability instead. The rules’ examples help explain why a particular ability might be called for, but the actual effect’s instructions take precedence.
- Strength: resisting direct physical force.
- Dexterity: dodging or moving out of danger.
- Constitution: enduring a toxin or other bodily threat.
- Intelligence: recognizing an illusion.
- Wisdom: resisting a mental assault.
- Charisma: asserting your identity against an effect.
These examples are from the 2024 rules; they illustrate the abilities rather than letting a player substitute a different save for one specified by an effect.
How to find the DC
The DC comes from the effect or the DM. A spell or monster ability may state or determine its own save DC. The DC is the target number for the saving throw, not another modifier to add to the roll.
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Spell save DC under the 2024 rules
For a character’s spell save DC, the 2024 character creation rules give this formula: 8 + spellcasting ability modifier + Proficiency Bonus. See Creating a Character — 2024 Basic Rules.
Spell save DC under the 2014 rules
The 2014 Basic Rules state the formula as 8 + spellcasting ability modifier + proficiency bonus + any special modifiers. Use the formula for the rules and character options your table is using; do not combine the 2014 and 2024 wording. See Spellcasting — 2014 Basic Rules.
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How to record saves on your character sheet
Write or calculate a total for each saving throw using its ability modifier, adding proficiency only to saves in which your character is proficient. The official 2024 character sheet provides a saving-throw field under each ability and a separate Proficiency Bonus field. Having the totals ready makes it easier to roll when an effect calls for a save.
Worked example
Suppose your Dexterity modifier is +2, you’re proficient in Dexterity saving throws, and your proficiency bonus is +3. Your save modifier is +5 before situational bonuses or penalties. On a d20 result of 12, your total is 17. Against a DC 15 effect, that meets or exceeds the DC under the 2024 procedure, so the save succeeds. These figures illustrate the arithmetic; they do not describe a tested character or a fixed DC for a particular spell.
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2014 and 2024 rules: use one version consistently
The core calculation is presented as a d20 plus the relevant ability modifier, with proficiency added when you’re proficient in that save. The sources describe the 2014 and 2024 rules in different wording and presentation, and the 2014 spell save DC formula explicitly includes “any special modifiers.” Check which rules and character options your table uses, especially when calculating a spell save DC. The 2014 Basic Rules and the 2024 Basic Rules are distinct references.
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