About This Tool
Roll virtual dice for any tabletop game, RPG session, classroom activity, or quick decision. This free dice roller supports every standard die type (d4, d6, d8, d10, d12, d20, and d100) with up to 20 dice per roll and optional modifiers from -100 to +100. Quick presets cover the most common rolls in Dungeons & Dragons and other tabletop RPGs: 1d20 for ability checks and attack rolls, 2d6 for damage, 1d20+5 for modified checks, and the popular 4d6-drop-lowest method for generating ability scores. Each roll shows individual die results in a visual grid along with the combined total and any modifier adjustments. A running history tracks your last 50 rolls, and the distribution chart builds automatically as you roll, showing which totals come up most frequently. Your rolls are completely private with no data stored or shared. No account needed, no limits on rolls.
How to Use This Dice Roller
Configure your roll in three simple steps:
- Number of Dice (1-20): How many dice to throw at once. Set this to 2 for a standard 2d6 roll, 4 for ability score generation, or 8 for that devastating fireball damage.
- Die Type: Select from d4, d6, d8, d10, d12, d20, or d100. Each represents a die with that many faces. A d6 produces 1-6, a d20 produces 1-20, and so on.
- Modifier: Add or subtract a flat number from the total. Enter +5 for a proficiency bonus, -2 for a penalty, or leave it at 0 for a straight roll.
Click the Roll button (or use a Quick Preset) and the results appear instantly. Each individual die result is shown in its own tile, followed by the sum and the modified total. The roll history below tracks every roll in the session.
Dice Notation Explained
Tabletop games use a standard notation to describe dice rolls. The format is XdY+Z where:
- X = the number of dice to roll
- d = indicates these are dice (short for "die")
- Y = the number of faces on each die
- +Z = an optional modifier added to (or subtracted from) the total
Examples: 2d6 means roll two six-sided dice and add the results. 1d20+5 means roll one twenty-sided die and add 5 to the result. 4d6 means roll four six-sided dice.
The "4d6 drop lowest" method is a special case used in many RPG character creation systems. You roll four d6 dice, remove the single lowest result, and sum the remaining three. This produces a range of 3-18 with a higher average (12.24) compared to a straight 3d6 roll (average 10.5), reflecting the idea that adventurers are above-average individuals.
Standard Dice Types and Their Uses
Each die type serves specific purposes in tabletop gaming and probability exercises:
- d4 (Tetrahedron): The smallest standard die, used for dagger damage, healing potions, and minor effects. Range: 1-4.
- d6 (Cube): The most familiar die from board games. Used for weapon damage, ability scores, and countless classic games. Range: 1-6.
- d8 (Octahedron): Common for longsword damage, healing spells, and medium-sized effects. Range: 1-8.
- d10 (Pentagonal Trapezohedron): Used for heavy weapons and percentage rolls (paired with another d10). Range: 1-10.
- d12 (Dodecahedron): The greataxe die, also used for some barbarian features. Range: 1-12.
- d20 (Icosahedron): The most iconic RPG die. Used for attack rolls, saving throws, and ability checks. Range: 1-20.
- d100 (Percentile): Generates 1-100, traditionally rolled as two d10s (tens and ones). Used for percentile-based tables, wild magic surges, and loot tables.
Dice Probability Fundamentals
Understanding dice probability helps players make informed tactical decisions:
Single Die: Each face has an equal probability of 1/N where N is the number of faces. A d20 gives each number a 5% chance. A d6 gives each number about 16.7%.
Multiple Dice: When rolling multiple dice, the distribution forms a bell curve centered on the average. For 2d6, the most likely total is 7 (occurring 6 out of 36 possible combinations, or 16.7%). The extremes (2 and 12) each have only a 2.8% chance.
With Modifiers: A modifier shifts the entire distribution without changing its shape. Rolling 1d20+5 has the same spread as 1d20 but every result is 5 higher, giving a range of 6-25 instead of 1-20.
Average Calculation: The average of XdY is X multiplied by (Y+1)/2. For 2d6, that is 2 * 3.5 = 7. For 1d20, it is 10.5. Add the modifier for the final expected average.
Using the Roll Distribution Chart
After two or more rolls, the distribution chart appears automatically. It shows how frequently each total has appeared across your rolling history. This chart grows more informative with more data points.
For a single d6, after many rolls you should see a roughly flat distribution where each number (1-6) appears about equally often. For 2d6, the chart should form a triangle shape peaking at 7. These observed distributions gradually converge toward the theoretical probabilities as you accumulate more rolls.
The chart displays up to 12 of the most frequently rolled totals. Use it to verify the fairness of your rolls, demonstrate probability concepts to students, or simply enjoy watching the distribution take shape over the course of a gaming session.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "4d6 drop lowest" mean?
This is a character creation method popular in Dungeons & Dragons. You roll four six-sided dice, remove the single lowest die result, and add the remaining three together. The result ranges from 3 to 18 with an average of about 12.24, which is higher than a straight 3d6 roll (average 10.5). This produces characters that are statistically above average.
How do I roll with advantage or disadvantage?
For advantage (used in D&D 5e), roll 1d20 twice and take the higher result. For disadvantage, roll 1d20 twice and take the lower. Use this tool to roll 1d20, note the result, roll again, then pick the appropriate value. Advantage increases the average d20 roll from 10.5 to about 13.8, while disadvantage decreases it to about 7.2.
What is the average roll for 2d6?
The average roll for 2d6 is 7. Each d6 averages 3.5, so two of them average 7 combined. The most common result is also 7, which can be achieved with six different combinations: (1,6), (2,5), (3,4), (4,3), (5,2), and (6,1). The least common results are 2 and 12, each achievable only one way.
Can I roll more than 20 dice at once?
The maximum is 20 dice per roll. This covers virtually all tabletop gaming scenarios, including high-level spell damage in D&D (e.g., a meteor swarm deals 20d6 fire damage plus 20d6 bludgeoning, which would be two separate rolls of 20d6 each).
How does the modifier work?
The modifier is a flat number added to (or subtracted from) the total of all dice. If you roll 1d20 and get 14, a +5 modifier makes the final result 19. A -3 modifier would make it 11. Modifiers do not change the dice themselves; they only adjust the final total. In RPGs, modifiers typically come from ability scores, proficiency bonuses, or situational effects.
What is the probability of rolling a natural 20?
On a single d20, each number has a 1-in-20 chance (5%). Rolling a natural 20 (or "nat 20") on any given roll is exactly 5%. Over 20 rolls, you have about a 64% chance of rolling at least one natural 20. Over 100 rolls, that rises to approximately 99.4%.
Is the roll history saved after I close the page?
No. Roll history exists only during your current visit and is cleared when you close the tab or refresh the page. The history stores up to 50 of your most recent rolls. There is no account or persistent storage involved.