How is level 1 HP calculated in 5e?

At Level 1, your maximum HP is equal to the maximum value of your class's Hit Die plus your Constitution modifier. For example, a Fighter (d10) with a +3 Con modifier starts with 13 HP.

How many HP do you gain per level in 5e?

After level 1, you can choose to either roll your Hit Die or take the 'average' (half of the die + 1). Most players take the fixed average: 7 for d12, 6 for d10, 5 for d8, and 4 for d6, plus your Con modifier.

Does the Tough feat apply retroactively?

Yes, the Tough feat applies to all your current levels and all future levels. You gain 2 HP per level immediately when you take the feat.

What happens if my Con modifier increases?

If your Constitution score increases (via an Ability Score Improvement), your HP maximum increases for every level you have already gained. It is fully retroactive.

Does the Hill Dwarf HP bonus stack with Tough?

Yes. A Hill Dwarf gains +1 HP per level, and the Tough feat adds +2 HP per level. These bonuses stack, meaning a Level 10 Hill Dwarf with Tough would have an extra 30 HP above their base class HP.

D&D 5e HP Calculator — Hit Points by Class and Level

Quick Tool Summary: This D&D 5e HP Calculator helps you accurately track your character's total health. I have programmed it to handle all primary 5e classes, Constitution modifiers, levels 1–20, and crucial bonuses like the Tough feat or Hill Dwarf racial traits. Use the tabs below to switch between health tracking and Ability Score modifiers.

Building a character in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition is a thrill, but the math—especially as you level up—can get messy. I have seen many players at my table accidentally under-calculate their Hit Points (HP) because they forgot how retroactive Constitution bonuses work.

Whether you are a durable Barbarian with a massive d12 hit die or a fragile Wizard relying on your d6, this tool ensures your HP math is airtight. I have included both the standard average (fixed) calculation and a level-by-level breakdown to help you verify your D&D character sheet.

In this article

D&D 5e HP & Stat Calculator
How the HP Calculation Works
Class Hit Dice Reference Table
Bonus HP: Tough, Draconic, & Hill Dwarf
Frequently Asked Questions

5e Health Estimator

Character Class

CON Modifier

Level (1–20)

Tough Feat Hill Dwarf / Draconic

Max HP (Fixed Average): 10

HP Gain per Level: 5 + Con

D&D 5e Stat Tool

STR

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

Mod Formula: (Score - 10) / 2 Rounded Down.

How the D&D 5e HP Calculation Works

In Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition, your health represents your ability to stay in the fight. The formula for calculating your max HP is split into two distinct phases: Level 1 and Level 2+.

Step 1: The Level 1 Foundation

At the first level, you are at your relative peak for your physical training. You take the maximum value of your Hit Die (e.g., 10 for a Fighter) and add your Constitution modifier. If your CON score is 16 (+3 mod), you start with 13 HP.

Step 2: Gaining Levels

For every level after the first, you gain more health. Standard rules allow you to either roll the die (risky!) or take the fixed average (safe). The fixed average is always (Half of the die + 1). So a d8 class gains 5 HP, a d10 gains 6 HP, and so on. You add your CON modifier to this gain every time you level up.

The 5e HP Formula (Fixed)

Total HP = Max Die + CON + (Level-1) * (Avg Die + CON)

Plus any bonuses from feats or racial traits.

Class Hit Dice Reference Table

Your class determines your Hit Die, which functions as both your health growth and your primary source of healing during a Short Rest. I have compiled the primary class list here for easy reference:

Hit Die Type	Average Gain	Primary Classes
d12	7 HP	Barbarian
d10	6 HP	Fighter, Paladin, Ranger
d8	5 HP	Bard, Cleric, Druid, Monk, Rogue, Warlock
d6	4 HP	Sorcerer, Wizard

Bonus HP: Tough, Draconic, & Hill Dwarf

Not all characters of the same class have the same survival power. If you want to be a "meat shield" or a tank, you should look for sources of extra hit points. My calculator handles the three most common bonuses:

The Tough Feat: This is the gold standard for tanks. It adds +2 HP for every level you have. It works retroactively, so taking it at level 12 is just as good as taking it at level 1.
Hill Dwarf Trait: The Dwarven Toughness trait adds +1 HP per level. This effectively turns a Hill Dwarf Cleric into a d10 class for health purposes.
Draconic Resilience: Sorcerers with the Draconic Bloodline subclass also gain +1 HP per level to compensate for their low d6 hit die.

Pro Tip: When these stack, you can create incredibly durable characters. A Hill Dwarf Barbarian with the Tough feat gains a staggering +3 HP per level on top of their base 7+CON. At level 20, that's an extra 60 HP—enough to survive several extra rounds of combat!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the 'average' HP for a d8 class?

Mathematically, the average of a d8 is 4.5. However, 5e rules round this UP to 5 for level-up purposes. This ensures that taking the average is slightly better than rolling over the long term.

If my Constitution goes down, do I lose HP?

Yes. If your CON modifier drops (perhaps due to a curse or reaching a 0 in a stat), your max HP drops by 1 for every level you have. This can be lethal if your current HP is low.

Does multiclassing affect my Level 1 HP?

No. You only get the "Max Die" bonus for your starting class at character level 1. If you multiclass later, you only gain the standard average (or rolled) HP for that new class level, plus your CON modifier.

Is it better to roll or take the average?

Statistically, taking the average is safer and slightly superior. The 'average' in 5e is halfway + 1, which means you technically gain more health over 20 levels than the strict mathematical average of the die rolls.

How does the Aid spell interact with Max HP?

The Aid spell increases your current and maximum HP for the duration. This is a temporary buff and does not factor into your "permanent" max HP calculation found on your character sheet.