How to pick a random D&D race
- Choose your pool. Tick the 2024 rules (SRD 5.2), the 2014 rules (SRD 5.1), our 30 classic fantasy races, your own list, or any mix.
- Filter if you like. Only Small races, only races with darkvision, or only races that can fly or swim.
- Pick or spin. Press Pick a race for an instant result, or open the Wheel for a bit of drama. Tick Also roll a class to get a full race + class idea, such as a Goliath Bard.
- Keep it. Copy the traits, share a link that opens the same result, or send the race to the Homebrew Race Builder to turn it into a full race sheet.
The playable races in the 2024 rules (SRD 5.2)
The 2024 rules call races species. Your ability score increases now come from your background instead of your species, so every species works with every class. The free System Reference Document 5.2 includes these nine species:
| Species | Size | Speed | Darkvision | Stand-out traits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dragonborn | Medium | 30 ft | 60 ft | Draconic Ancestry, Breath Weapon, Damage Resistance, Draconic Flight |
| Dwarf | Medium | 30 ft | 120 ft | Dwarven Resilience, Dwarven Toughness, Stonecunning |
| Elf | Medium | 30 ft | 60 ft | Elven Lineage, Fey Ancestry, Keen Senses, Trance |
| Gnome | Small | 30 ft | 60 ft | Gnomish Cunning, Gnomish Lineage |
| Goliath | Medium | 35 ft | – | Giant Ancestry, Large Form, Powerful Build |
| Halfling | Small | 30 ft | – | Brave, Halfling Nimbleness, Luck, Naturally Stealthy |
| Human | Small or Medium | 30 ft | – | Resourceful, Skillful, Versatile |
| Orc | Medium | 30 ft | 120 ft | Adrenaline Rush, Relentless Endurance |
| Tiefling | Small or Medium | 30 ft | 60 ft | Fiendish Legacy, Otherworldly Presence |
The races in the 2014 rules (SRD 5.1)
The 2014 free rules include nine races, each with a fixed ability score bonus. Where a race has subraces, the SRD includes one of them, shown in brackets below.
| Race | Ability scores | Size | Speed | Darkvision |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dragonborn | +2 Strength, +1 Charisma | Medium | 30 ft | – |
| Dwarf (Hill Dwarf) | +2 Constitution, +1 Wisdom | Medium | 25 ft | 60 ft |
| Elf (High Elf) | +2 Dexterity, +1 Intelligence | Medium | 30 ft | 60 ft |
| Gnome (Rock Gnome) | +2 Intelligence, +1 Constitution | Small | 25 ft | 60 ft |
| Half-Elf | +2 Charisma, +1 to two others | Medium | 30 ft | 60 ft |
| Half-Orc | +2 Strength, +1 Constitution | Medium | 30 ft | 60 ft |
| Halfling (Lightfoot) | +2 Dexterity, +1 Charisma | Small | 25 ft | – |
| Human | +1 to every ability score | Medium | 30 ft | – |
| Tiefling | +2 Charisma, +1 Intelligence | Medium | 30 ft | 60 ft |
Traits are summarised in our own words. For the full rules text, see the free SRD documents. The other races in the official books are not part of the free rules, so they are not listed here. Add them to Your own races if you own those books.
30 classic fantasy races for any game
Want something beyond the core list? Tick Classic fantasy to add 30 original races that fit almost any fantasy world: Catfolk, Birdfolk, Scaled folk, Merfolk, Centaur-kin, Minotaur-kin, Treefolk, Sporefolk, Golemborn, Shadowkin, Frostborn, Emberkin, Stormborn, Pixie-folk, Goat-folk, Wolf-kin, Fox-kin, Owl-kin, Bear-kin, Boar-kin, Frog-folk, Turtle-folk, Moth-folk, Bat-folk, Crystalborn, Deathtouched, Lightborn, Half-giant, Goblin-kin, Dragonlings. Each comes with a size, speed, two signature traits and a portrait. They are written for this site, so you can use them freely as inspiration for homebrew. For a race nobody has ever played before, try the Fantasy Race Generator.
Party mode and the race draft
Party mode rolls a race (and class) for every player at once, with no two players getting the same race while the pool allows it. Each player gets one reroll token, which makes a quick game out of character creation. Save the party, share it with the group chat or download a party picture for your campaign notes.
Draft mode is for tables that want a fair say. The tool deals out a pool of races. Each player bans one race, then each player picks one, starting with the last player to ban. Nobody gets stuck with a race they hate, and the most popular race can be banned before anyone takes it.
Tips: matching a race to your class
- Any species works with any class in the 2024 rules. Pick the one whose story and traits you enjoy.
- In the 2014 rules, races with a bonus to your main ability are the classic fit: Dwarf (Hill Dwarf) for Clerics, Elf (High Elf) for Wizards, Half-Orc for Barbarians, Tiefling for Warlocks.
- Unusual combinations make great stories. A Goliath Bard, a Gnome Barbarian or a Halfling Paladin is memorable because it breaks expectations.
- Check your table's rules. Some groups use only the free rules, others allow every book. Your own list covers both.
Frequently asked questions
Is this random D&D race generator free?
Yes. There is no login, no AI and no limit. Everything runs in your browser, so it works even on a slow connection once the page has loaded.
Does it use the 2024 or the 2014 rules?
Both. The 2024 species (SRD 5.2) are on by default. Tick the 2014 races (SRD 5.1) to add or swap them. Each result shows which rules it comes from.
Can I add races from other books?
Yes. Type them into Your own races, one per line, and tick that pool. Your list stays in your browser and is never uploaded.
How does "no repeats" work?
When it's on, a race won't come up again until every race in your pool has been picked once. Then the cycle starts again.
Can my group use the wheel on a stream or a shared screen?
Yes. Open the Wheel tab, filter the pool and spin. With reduced motion switched on, the wheel stops instantly. The result is always announced to screen readers, and Pick one gives a race without spinning at all.
Where do the race traits come from?
The core races come from the free System Reference Documents (SRD 5.1 and SRD 5.2) by Wizards of the Coast, licensed under CC-BY-4.0, summarised in our own words. The classic fantasy races are original to this site. See credits for the full attribution.
Last updated: