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D&D 5E Armor Class Calculator

Calculate your character's Armor Class (AC) for Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition. This tool helps determine how difficult it is for enemies to hit your character in combat.

Determines how Dexterity modifier affects your AC
The base AC value from your armor or class feature
Your Dexterity modifier (can be negative)
Check if your character is wielding a shield
From feats, spells, magic items, or class features
Cover provides additional protection against attacks

How to Use This Calculator

  1. Select your armor type (Light, Medium, Heavy, or Unarmored)
  2. Enter the base AC value from your armor or class feature
  3. Input your Dexterity modifier (found on your character sheet)
  4. Check if you're using a shield and enter any other bonuses
  5. Select any cover that applies to your situation
  6. Click Calculate AC to see your total Armor Class

Formula Used

AC = Base AC + Dex Modifier (with limitations) + Shield Bonus + Other Bonuses + Cover Bonus

Where:

  • Base AC = The base value from your armor or class feature
  • Dex Modifier = Your Dexterity modifier (limited by armor type)
  • Shield Bonus = +2 if using a shield, 0 otherwise
  • Other Bonuses = From feats, spells, magic items, or class features
  • Cover Bonus = +2 for half cover, +5 for three-quarters cover

Example Calculation

Real-World Scenario:

A fighter wearing chain mail armor (+5 base AC) with a Dexterity modifier of +2, using a shield, and with the Defense fighting style (+1 AC bonus) is behind half cover.

Given:

  • Armor Type = Medium Armor (Chain Mail)
  • Base AC = 16
  • Dexterity Modifier = +2 (limited to +2 for medium armor)
  • Shield = Yes (+2)
  • Other Bonuses = +1 (Defense fighting style)
  • Cover = Half Cover (+2)

Calculation:

AC = 16 (Base AC) + 2 (Dex Modifier) + 2 (Shield) + 1 (Other Bonuses) + 2 (Cover)

Result: 23 Armor Class

Why This Calculation Matters

Practical Applications

  • Determining how difficult enemies will find it to hit your character
  • Helping decide between different armor options
  • Planning character builds around defensive capabilities
  • Understanding the impact of spells and abilities on defense

Key Benefits

  • Quickly calculate AC without manual errors
  • Experiment with different equipment combinations
  • Understand how different factors contribute to defense
  • Optimize your character's survivability in combat

Common Mistakes & Tips

Medium armor limits your Dexterity modifier to +2, and heavy armor doesn't allow any Dexterity modifier to AC. Many players forget these limitations and calculate their AC incorrectly. Always check your armor type's Dexterity modifier cap.

Some AC bonuses don't stack. For example, you can't wear multiple suits of armor or use multiple shields. Be careful not to double-count bonuses from the same source, and remember that some features explicitly state they don't stack with other AC bonuses.

Classes like Barbarians and Monks have special Unarmored Defense features that calculate AC differently. Barbarians add their Constitution modifier, while Monks add their Wisdom modifier. These features only work when not wearing armor.

Frequently Asked Questions

The theoretical maximum AC in standard D&D 5E is around 30. This would require plate armor (18 AC), a shield (+2), +5 Dexterity modifier (though heavy armor doesn't allow this), the Defense fighting style (+1), a ring of protection (+1), a cloak of protection (+1), the Shield spell (+5), and three-quarters cover (+5). In practice, most characters will have AC between 15-20.

No, you cannot wear multiple suits of armor. You can only wear one set of armor at a time. However, you can combine armor with a shield and other magical items that provide AC bonuses, as long as those bonuses don't specifically state they don't stack with armor.

Mage Armor sets your base AC to 13 + your Dexterity modifier. You cannot wear armor while benefiting from Mage Armor, but you can still use a shield and other AC bonuses that don't come from armor. The spell specifically states it doesn't stack with armor, making it a great option for characters who don't wear armor, like wizards or sorcerers.

Shields are not considered armor in D&D 5E. They are a separate category of equipment. This means abilities that require you to be unarmored (like Barbarian's Unarmored Defense) can still be used while wielding a shield. Shields provide a flat +2 bonus to AC and can be combined with any armor type or with unarmored defense features.

References & Disclaimer

Game Disclaimer

This calculator is based on the official Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition rules. However, individual Dungeon Masters may have house rules or variations that differ from the standard rules. Always check with your DM before making character decisions based on these calculations.

References

Accuracy Notice

While this calculator follows the official D&D 5E rules, there may be edge cases or specific character abilities that aren't fully covered. Always refer to your character's specific features and abilities, and consult with your Dungeon Master for the most accurate calculations in your game.

About the Author

Kumaravel Madhavan

Web developer and data researcher creating accurate, easy-to-use calculators across health, finance, education, and construction and more. Works with subject-matter experts to ensure formulas meet trusted standards like WHO, NIH, and ISO.

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