GameCalc

D&D Dice Roller

Roll anything, from d4 to d100.

Number of Dice

Sides per Die

Modifier

Total

—

Range: 2 to 12

Statistical Average: 7
Minimum: 2
Maximum: 12

What you entered

Dice: 2d6Modifier: +0

1
Roll 2d6
—= 0
2
Apply modifier
0 + 0= 0
3
Statistical average for this roll
2 x (6+1)/2 + 0= 7

Result

Total: —

Over many rolls 2d6 averages 7, so treat any single result as one draw from the 2–12 range.

Average and range for common dice notation

The statistical average of a die is (sides + 1) divided by 2, multiplied by the number of dice, plus any modifier. Minimum is one per die plus the modifier.

Notation	Minimum	Average	Maximum	Typical use
1d4	1	2.5	4	Dagger damage
1d6	1	3.5	6	Shortsword damage
1d8+3	4	7.5	11	Longsword with modifier
2d6	2	7.0	12	Greatsword damage
1d20	1	10.5	20	Attack and ability checks
4d6	4	14.0	24	Ability score generation
8d6	8	28.0	48	Fireball damage

2d6 averages 7 while 1d12 averages 6.5, and 2d6 also clusters far more tightly around its average. Two smaller dice are more consistent than one large one, which is why greatswords feel more reliable than greataxes.

Reading dice notation

The notation 2d6+3 means roll two six-sided dice, add them together, then add 3. The first number is how many dice, the number after the d is how many sides, and the modifier is a flat bonus applied once to the total rather than to each die.

Average versus range

A single d20 is uniform — every result from 1 to 20 is equally likely, so a roll feels wildly swingy. Damage dice like 2d6 average 7 but rarely stray far from it, which is why systems use flat dice for uncertain outcomes and multiple dice where consistency matters.

Frequently asked questions

What's the average roll for 2d6+3?

The average of 2d6 is 7 (each die averages 3.5), plus the modifier of 3 gives an average of 10. The range is 5-15, with most rolls clustering between 8 and 12.

How is the D&D dice roller different from the dice roll probability calculator?

The dice roller simulates actual random rolls — you get a result to use in your game. The probability calculator tells you the mathematical chances of hitting specific totals — it's for planning and analysis, not gameplay.

Can I roll negative numbers?

Yes, if your modifier is negative enough. Rolling 1d4-5 gives a range of -4 to -1. Some systems use negative modifiers for penalties, though most game rules floor damage at 0 or 1.

Why does D&D use a d20 for attacks but multiple dice for damage?

The d20 is flat (each number equally likely), creating dramatic uncertainty — will you hit or miss? Damage dice (like 2d6) cluster around the average, giving more predictable outcomes. The system uses the right distribution for each purpose: high variance for binary pass/fail, low variance for magnitude.