D&D 5e Action Economy Cheat Sheet
Printable D&D 5e action economy reference — actions, bonus actions, reactions, free actions, legendary actions.
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Per turn
| Action (1 per turn) | Attack, Cast a Spell (1-action), Dash, Dodge, Disengage, Help, Hide, Ready, Search, Use an Object, plus class-specific actions like Second Wind. |
| Bonus Action (1 per turn, granted) | Only available when a feature or spell specifically grants one. Examples: Two-Weapon Fighting off-hand, bonus-action spell, Cunning Action, Spiritual Weapon attack. |
| Movement (split or combined) | Move up to your speed. Can be split before, during, after your action. Stand up from prone costs half your speed. |
| Free Object Interaction (1 per turn) | Open a door, draw or sheathe a weapon, pick up an object, push a button. Second free interaction needs the Use an Object action. |
Per round
| Reaction (1 per round) | Triggered by an event. Opportunity Attack, Shield, Counterspell, Hellish Rebuke, Uncanny Dodge. Refreshes at the start of your next turn. |
Special action rules
- Casting a bonus-action spell precludes any other leveled spell on the same turn (except a cantrip with 1-action casting time).
- Opportunity Attacks trigger when a hostile creature leaves your reach. Disengage prevents these.
- Two-Weapon Fighting bonus-action attack only triggers if your action attacked with a light melee weapon.
- Sneak Attack triggers once per turn — not once per round. A readied attack on someone else's turn can trigger a second.
Legendary actions (boss monsters)
- Each Legendary monster has 3 legendary actions to spend at the end of any other creature's turn (refresh at start of monster turn).
- Cost: 1 / 2 / 3 actions per option (Move = 1, Tail = 2, Wing Attack = 3).
- Lair Actions trigger on initiative count 20 in the boss's lair (free, no cost).