What are the D&D 5e Difficulty Class (DC) levels?

D&D 5e DCs range from Very Easy (DC 5) to Nearly Impossible (DC 30). Common benchmarks are Easy (DC 10), Medium (DC 15), Hard (DC 20), and Very Hard (DC 25). The GM sets the DC based on how difficult the task is.

How many skills are there in D&D 5e?

D&D 5e has 18 skills, each tied to one of six ability scores. For example, Stealth and Acrobatics use Dexterity, Perception and Insight use Wisdom, and Persuasion and Deception use Charisma.

What is the difference between a skill check and an ability check in D&D?

An ability check uses just your ability modifier, while a skill check adds your proficiency bonus if you are proficient in that skill. For example, a Dexterity (Stealth) check adds your Dexterity modifier plus proficiency bonus if proficient in Stealth.

What is a good DC for D&D skill checks?

DC 10 is appropriate for tasks most adventurers can handle, DC 15 is a moderate challenge requiring some skill, and DC 20 is genuinely difficult. Set DCs based on the fiction, not just to challenge the players.

D&D 5e Skill Check & DC Reference

All 18 skills, their abilities, and the full Difficulty Class table. Free, no sign-up needed.

Skills by Ability

Search or filter the 18 D&D 5e skills below.

DEX

Acrobatics

Staying on your feet in tricky situations — balancing, tumbling, diving.

WIS

Animal Handling

Calming, controlling, or intuiting the intentions of an animal.

INT

Arcana

Recalling lore about spells, magic items, planes of existence, and magical traditions.

STR

Athletics

Climbing, jumping, swimming, and feats of raw physical power.

CHA

Deception

Convincingly hiding the truth through words or actions — lying, disguising, fast-talking.

INT

History

Recalling lore about historical events, legendary people, ancient kingdoms, and past disputes.

WIS

Insight

Reading body language and speech to determine true intentions — detecting lies, predicting behavior.

CHA

Intimidation

Influencing someone through overt threats, hostile actions, or physical menace.

INT

Investigation

Searching for clues, making deductions, and piecing together information.

WIS

Medicine

Stabilizing a dying companion, diagnosing illness, or determining cause of death.

INT

Nature

Recalling lore about terrain, plants, animals, weather, and natural cycles.

WIS

Perception

Spotting, hearing, or otherwise detecting the presence of something — the general awareness check.

CHA

Performance

Delighting an audience with music, dance, acting, storytelling, or other entertainment.

CHA

Persuasion

Influencing someone through tact, social graces, or good nature — without threats or deceit.

INT

Religion

Recalling lore about deities, rites, prayers, religious hierarchies, and holy symbols.

DEX

Sleight of Hand

Picking pockets, concealing objects, planting items, or performing manual trickery.

DEX

Stealth

Hiding, moving silently, and avoiding detection.

WIS

Survival

Tracking creatures, navigating the wilderness, foraging, and avoiding natural hazards.

Difficulty Class (DC) Table

Standard DCs from the Dungeon Master's Guide (p. 238).

DC	Difficulty	Example
5	Very Easy	Climbing a knotted rope, following a well-marked trail
10	Easy	Picking a simple lock, recalling common lore
15	Medium	Breaking down a wooden door, navigating a forest in fog
20	Hard	Picking a high-quality lock, tracking across hard ground
25	Very Hard	Forging a convincing royal document, climbing a slippery cliff in a storm
30	Nearly Impossible	Leaping across a 30-foot chasm, convincing a dragon you are its ally

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How Skill Checks Work in D&D 5e

A skill check in D&D 5e is a d20 roll plus modifiers. The Game Master sets a Difficulty Class (DC), and if your total meets or exceeds it, you succeed. Your modifier comes from your ability score plus your proficiency bonus (if you're proficient in the skill).

Ability Checks vs. Skill Checks

Technically, every skill check is an ability check. “Skill check” just means you're applying a specific skill proficiency. A “Strength (Athletics) check” is a Strength ability check where Athletics proficiency applies.

Setting the Right DC

The DC table above covers typical difficulties. DC 10 is something most trained characters can manage. DC 15 is a meaningful challenge. DC 20 requires real expertise, and DC 25+ is reserved for legendary feats. Use our encounter calculator to balance the combat side, too.

Passive Checks

A passive check is 10 + all modifiers that normally apply. The most common is Passive Perception (10 + Wisdom modifier + proficiency if proficient). Game Masters use passive checks when they don't want a player to know a check is happening — like noticing a hidden trap.

Advantage and Disadvantage

With advantage, roll 2d20 and take the higher result. With disadvantage, take the lower. For passive checks, advantage adds +5 and disadvantage subtracts 5. Need to roll? Try our free dice roller.

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