5e Spell Slot Calculator for Multiclassing

Your essential tool for instantly determining spell slots for any D&D 5th Edition character build.

Enter Your Character’s Levels

Copied!

What is a Spell Slot Calculator 5e?

A spell slot calculator 5e is a specialized tool for Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition players that simplifies one of the game’s most complex rule sets: calculating available spell slots for multiclass characters. When a character takes levels in more than one spellcasting class, you don’t simply add the slots from each class together. Instead, you must use a specific formula to determine a combined “caster level,” which then corresponds to a unique chart of spell slots. This calculator automates that entire process.

This tool is essential for anyone playing a character that mixes classes like Wizard/Fighter (Eldritch Knight), Cleric/Paladin, or any other combination of the 13 official classes. It correctly handles full casters, half-casters, and third-casters, while also showing a Warlock’s unique Pact Magic slots separately, as per the official rules.

The 5e Multiclassing Spell Slot Formula

The core of this spell slot calculator 5e is the formula provided in the Player’s Handbook. It determines your character’s power level for the purpose of gaining spell slots. The formula does not determine the level of spells you can learn, only the magical “energy” (slots) you have available.

The formula is: Total Caster Level = (Full Caster Levels) + (Half Caster Levels / 2) + (Third Caster Levels / 3)

All fractional results are rounded down. Once you have your Total Caster Level, you consult the “Multiclass Spellcaster” table to find your exact number of slots for each spell level from 1st to 9th. For information on building powerful multiclass characters, see our Guide to 5e Multiclassing Rules.

Variable Explanations

Variable	Meaning	Classes Included	Typical Range
Full Caster Level	Each level counts as one full level for spellcasting.	Bard, Cleric, Druid, Sorcerer, Wizard	1-20
Half Caster Level	Each level counts as half a level, rounded down.	Paladin, Ranger, Artificer	2-20
Third Caster Level	Each level counts as a third of a level, rounded down.	Fighter (Eldritch Knight), Rogue (Arcane Trickster)	3-20
Warlock Level	Levels in Warlock. Handled separately, does not add to Total Caster Level.	Warlock	1-20

Practical Examples

Example 1: The “Gish” (Fighter/Wizard)

A player has a character who is a Level 5 Eldritch Knight Fighter and a Level 3 Abjuration Wizard.

• Inputs: Third Caster Levels = 5, Full Caster Levels = 3.
• Calculation: Total Caster Level = 3 (from Wizard) + Floor(5 / 3) (from Fighter) = 3 + 1 = 4.
• Results: Looking up a 4th-level caster on the multiclass table gives: 4 first-level slots and 3 second-level slots. This character can use these slots to cast the Wizard spells they know. For help planning your character, try our 5e Character Builder.

Example 2: The Nature Warden (Ranger/Druid)

A character is a Level 9 Hunter Ranger and a Level 5 Circle of the Moon Druid.

• Inputs: Half Caster Levels = 9, Full Caster Levels = 5.
• Calculation: Total Caster Level = 5 (from Druid) + Floor(9 / 2) (from Ranger) = 5 + 4 = 9.
• Results: A 9th-level caster has: 4 first-level, 3 second-level, 3 third-level, 3 fourth-level, and 1 fifth-level slot. They know spells from both the Ranger and Druid lists, and can use any of these slots to cast them.

How to Use This Spell Slot Calculator 5e

Using the calculator is simple and takes just a few seconds:

1. Identify Caster Types: Look at your character’s classes and group your levels by the three caster types: Full, Half, or Third.
2. Enter Total Levels: Add up all levels for each type and enter them into the corresponding input field. For example, if you are a Bard 3 / Sorcerer 2, you have 5 Full Caster levels.
3. Enter Warlock Levels: If you have any Warlock levels, enter them into the dedicated “Warlock Levels” field.
4. Review Your Results: The calculator instantly updates. The “Spellcasting Slots” table shows your standard slots that recover on a long rest. The “Pact Magic Slots” table shows your Warlock slots that recover on a short rest. You can use these slot types interchangeably as per the rules for Pact Magic.

Key Factors That Affect Spell Slots

• Class Choice: This is the most significant factor. Full casters contribute far more to your overall caster level than half or third casters.
• Character Level: Your total character level doesn’t matter directly, but the number of levels in each specific spellcasting class does.
• Multiclassing Combination: Combining two full casters (like Sorcerer/Wizard) results in no loss of slot progression. Combining a full caster with a half-caster slows it down slightly.
• Warlock Pact Magic: Taking Warlock levels grants powerful, short-rest-recharging slots but does not increase your standard long-rest slots. This is a crucial trade-off.
• Subclass Choice: For Fighters and Rogues, only the Eldritch Knight and Arcane Trickster subclasses grant spellcasting. Other subclasses do not contribute.
• Artificer Class: The Artificer is a special case, often considered a “half-caster.” This calculator correctly includes them in the half-caster category for multiclassing purposes. Our guide on top Artificer builds explores this further.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How does a Warlock / Sorcerer multiclass work for spell slots?

This is a popular and powerful combination! Your Sorcerer levels determine your “Spellcasting” slots, which return on a long rest. Your Warlock levels determine your “Pact Magic” slots, which return on a short rest. The key rule is that you can use any slot to cast any spell you know. For example, you can use a Warlock Pact Magic slot to cast the ‘Shield’ spell from your Sorcerer list.

Why don’t Warlock levels add to the main calculation?

Because the “Pact Magic” feature is entirely separate from the “Spellcasting” feature that other classes use. The rules for multiclassing specify combining levels only for classes that share the “Spellcasting” feature.

What is a “caster level”?

“Caster level” is the effective level used to determine your spell slots from the multiclassing table. It’s the number this spell slot calculator 5e calculates for you based on your class combinations. It is NOT the same as your character level.

Can I cast a 3rd-level spell if I have 3rd-level slots but no class that can learn them?

No. You can only learn spells of a level your individual classes grant you. For instance, a Ranger 4 / Wizard 3 has spell slots up to 3rd level, but their individual classes only grant them 1st-level Ranger spells and up to 2nd-level Wizard spells. They cannot learn a 3rd-level spell like Fireball, but they can cast a 1st-level spell like ‘Burning Hands’ using a 3rd-level slot for a more powerful effect.

How do Artificers work in this calculator?

Artificers are treated as half-casters for multiclass spell slot purposes, just like Paladins and Rangers. Enter your Artificer levels into the “Half Caster” field.

Does this calculator handle the Spell Points variant rule?

No, this tool calculates standard spell slots. The Spell Points system from the Dungeon Master’s Guide is a variant rule that uses a different resource management system. Check out our 5e Spell Point Calculator for that.

How do I use the “Copy Results” button?

Clicking “Copy Results” will place a text summary of all your spell slots (both Spellcasting and Pact Magic) onto your clipboard, ready to paste into your digital character sheet or notes.

Where is the multiclassing table in the official books?

You can find the “Multiclass Spellcaster: Spell Slots per Spell Level” table in the Player’s Handbook (PHB), Chapter 6, under the “Multiclassing” section.