Daniel R. Collins – dcollins@superdan.
net
MATH FORMULAS FOR D&D
A compilation of important formulas derived from d20 System sources.
Copyright © 2003-2005 Daniel R. Collins.
Ability Modifers
modifier = ability / 2 – 5
Division is rounded down.
Ability should be 0 or greater.
(Note this is equivalent to
modifier = (ability – 10) / 2 , round down.)
Bonus Spells
bonus = (ability – (spellLevel + 1) * 2) / 8
Division is rounded down, to 0 minimum.
0-level spells receive no bonuses.
If the ability is less than 10+spellLevel,
no spells of that level can be cast.
Ability should be 0 or greater.
SpellLevel should be between 1 and 9.
Base Attack Bonus
goodAttacks = classLevel * 1
normAttacks = classLevel * 3 / 4
poorAttacks = classLevel * 1 / 2
Division is rounded down.
Use the first category for Barbarians, Fighters,
Paladins, Rangers, Warriors, etc.
Use the last category for Adepts, Commoners,
Sorcerers, Wizards, etc.
ClassLevel should be greater than 0.
Saving Throws
goodSave = classLevel / 2 + 2
poorSave = classLevel / 3
Division is rounded down.
ClassLevel should be greater than 0.
Skill Max Ranks
inClassMax = characterLevel + 3
crossClassMax = (characterLevel + 3) / 2
Division is not rounded.
CharacterLevel should be greater than 0.
MATH FORMULAS FOR D&D
Spell Cost
cost = spellLevel * casterLevel * 10
0-level spells count as ½ spell level.
SpellLevel should be between 1 and 9.
CasterLevel should be greater than 0.
Treasure and Character Wealth
Neither the treasure tables, nor NPC or PC wealth
tables, appear to follow a regular formula.
Speed
encumberedSpeed = baseSpeed * 0.7
Rounding is done to the nearest multiple of 5.
BaseSpeed should be greater than 0.
(Note: The FAQ expands movement table in way
that breaks any formula.)
Encumbrance
if strength ≤ 10, then:
maxLoad = strength * 10
if strength > 10, then:
maxLoad = 1.1487 ^ (strength - 10) * 100
Rounding is done to the nearest multiple of 5, 10,
20, or 40 (in steps of 5 strength).
Other modifiers may be made per the d20 System
for character size, number of legs, etc.
Light load is 1/3 the max load; medium load is 2/3
the max load (round down).
(Note: 1.1487 approximates 10√4)
Strength should be greater than 0.
Movement
movePerHour = speed / 10
movePerDay = speed / 10 * 8
Terrain modifiers may apply to these figures.
Speed should be greater than 0.
 Daniel R. Collins – dcollins@superdan.net

Experience Points
requiredXP = level * (level – 1) * 500

(Note each level requires an added level * 1000

XP to advance through it.)
Level should be greater than 0.

Challenge Ratings
Fractional CR 1/2 1/3 1/4 1/6 1/8 1/10
Integral CR -1 -2 -3 -4 -5 -6

For the following formulas, fractional CRs may be

converted to negative integers as above.
ChallengeRating should be a fraction as above.

Encounter Levels
EL = challengeRating + 2 * ln(number) / ln(2)

(Note that ln(number) / ln(2) = log2 (number).)

ChallengeRating should be an integer.
Number should be greater than 0.

Experience Awards
CD = challengeRating – partyLevel
if CD is even, then:
award = partyLevel * 2 ^ (CD / 2) * 300
if CD is odd and CD < 0, then:
award = partyLevel * 2 ^ ((CD+1) / 2) * 200
if CD is odd and CD > 0, then:
award = partyLevel * 2 ^ ((CD-1) / 2) * 450

No award is given if |CD| > 7.

PartyLevels of 1 or 2 are treated as 3,
except when the CR is 1 or 2.
(Note that the first “CD is even” case can be used
as an approximation for all cases.)
(The second case is basically x2/3 the first.)
(The last case is basically x3/2 the first.)
ChallengeRating should be an integer.
PartyLevel should be greater than 0.

MATH FORMULAS FOR D&D