GameCalc

RPG Point Buy Calculator

Spend your 27 points wisely.

Strength

Cost 9 · mod +2Dexterity

Cost 7 · mod +2Constitution

Cost 5 · mod +1Intelligence

Cost 4 · mod +1Wisdom

Cost 2 · mod +0Charisma

Cost 0 · mod -1

Point Budget

Points Spent

27 / 27

0 points remaining

Strength: 15 (+2)
Dexterity: 14 (+2)
Constitution: 13 (+1)
Intelligence: 12 (+1)
Wisdom: 10 (+0)
Charisma: 8 (-1)

What you entered

Strength: 15Dexterity: 14Constitution: 13Intelligence: 12Wisdom: 10Charisma: 8

1
Cost of each ability score
15=9, 14=7, 13=5, 12=4, 10=2, 8=0= 27 pts
2
Points remaining
27 - 27= 0 pts
3
Resulting modifiers
15 -> +2, 14 -> +2, 13 -> +1, 12 -> +1, 10 -> +0, 8 -> -1= Legal spread

Result

Points Spent: 27 / 27

This spread costs 27 of your 27 points, leaving 0 to spend.

Point-buy costs for ability score spreads

The 5e point-buy system gives 27 points. Scores from 8 to 13 cost one point each above 8; 14 and 15 cost two points per step.

Spread	Total cost	Remaining	Legal?	Modifiers
15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8	27	0	Yes	+2, +2, +1, +1, +0, -1
15, 15, 15, 8, 8, 8	27	0	Yes	+2, +2, +2, -1, -1, -1
13, 13, 13, 12, 12, 12	27	0	Yes	+1, +1, +1, +1, +1, +1
14, 14, 14, 12, 10, 10	29	-2	No	+2, +2, +2, +1, +0, +0
15, 14, 13, 12, 11, 10	30	-3	No	+2, +2, +1, +1, +0, +0

The first row is the standard array. Because 14 and 15 cost double, the system deliberately makes a maxed-out primary stat expensive: three 15s force three 8s to pay for them.

Why 14 to 15 costs two points

Point buy charges 1 point per step from 8 to 13, then 2 points for 14 and 2 more for 15. That escalating price is what stops everyone from dumping every point into a single stat — the last increase costs twice what the early ones do.

Only even scores change your modifier

The modifier is (score - 10) / 2 rounded down, so 14 and 15 both give +2. Ending on an odd score wastes a point unless a racial bonus or Ability Score Improvement will later push it up to the next even number.

Frequently asked questions

I want a Fighter with 15 STR, 14 CON, and 13 DEX — how many points is that?

STR 15 costs 9 points, CON 14 costs 7 points, DEX 13 costs 5 points = 21 points spent, leaving 6 points for WIS, INT, and CHA (all starting at 8, which costs 0).

How is point buy different from rolling 4d6 drop lowest?

Point buy gives every player the same 27-point budget for balanced, predictable stats. Rolling 4d6 drop lowest averages 12.24 per stat but with high variance — one player might roll an 18 and a 7 while another gets all 12s. Point buy is fairer; rolling is more exciting.

Should I ever set a score to an odd number?

Only if you plan to add +1 from a racial trait, feat, or Ability Score Improvement later. A 15 STR is the same +2 modifier as 14 STR, so the extra point is wasted unless something will bump it to 16 (+3).

What's the most efficient point-buy spread?

For a single-stat class, 15/14/13/12/10/8 uses all 27 points and maximizes your primary stat. For a MAD (multiple ability dependent) class like Paladin, 15/15/15/8/8/8 is aggressive but effective if your racial bonuses hit the right stats.