Mage Hand 5e

Mage Hand is a conjuration cantrip that creates a floating spectral hand within 30 feet for 1 minute. It can open unlocked doors, grab or stow items, pour out a vial and carry up to 10 pounds, moving 30 feet each time you use it. It cannot attack, use magic items, or carry more.

Mage Hand at a glance

Level	Cantrip conjuration
Casting time	1 action
Range	30 feet
Components	V, S
Duration	1 minute
Classes	Bard, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard
Resolution	Automatic; no attack roll or saving throw

How Mage Hand works

How it works: A ghostly hand appears at a point within 30 feet and lasts a minute. It can work an object, open an unlocked door or container, put something in or take something out of an open container, or tip out a vial. It vanishes if it ever gets more than 30 feet from you, and recasting the spell replaces it.

Action economy: This is where the editions differ. In 2014 you cast it with your action and then needed another action, usually on a later turn, to actually use it. In 2024 you get a free use as part of the cast, and later uses take a Magic action that also moves the hand up to 30 feet.

Clever uses: Pull the lever across the pit. Flip a switch on a suspected trap from 30 feet away instead of with your fingers. Drop caltrops or ball bearings ahead of the party. Pour a potion into an unconscious ally's mouth? Most DMs rule that administering a potion needs more than pouring, so ask first.

Limits players forget: The 10-pound cap is strict, so no lifting the halfling. It can't attack, so dropping something heavy on a foe usually doesn't work, and it can't activate magic items, so no waving a wand with it. Rogues with the Arcane Trickster subclass get an upgraded version that can do more, including picking pockets.

Mage Hand: 2014 vs 2024 rules

	2014 PHB	2024 PHB
Using the hand	Cast with an action, then an action each time you control it	Use it once as you cast it; later uses take a Magic action
Movement	Up to 30 feet each time you use it	Up to 30 feet as part of the Magic action
Ending early	Dismiss as an action	Cast it again or move it beyond 30 feet
Carry limit	10 pounds; no attacks or magic items	10 pounds; no attacks or magic items

Mage Hand FAQ

How much can Mage Hand lift?

Up to 10 pounds. It also cannot attack or activate magic items.

Can Mage Hand open doors?

It can open an unlocked door or container. A locked door needs a key, Knock, or a Thieves' Tools check.

Can Mage Hand attack or deal damage?

No. The spell says the hand cannot attack. Most DMs also won't let you use it to drop objects on enemies for damage.

Does Mage Hand need concentration?

No. It lasts 1 minute without concentration, but the hand vanishes if it gets more than 30 feet from you.

Other cantrips

Rules are summarised in our own words; monster stat blocks are reproduced from the SRD. This work includes material from the System Reference Document 5.2 ("SRD 5.2") by Wizards of the Coast LLC, available at dndbeyond.com/srd. The SRD 5.2 is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Card icons by Lorc and Delapouite from game-icons.net, licensed under CC BY 3.0.

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Contains content from the System Reference Document 5.1 and 5.2 by Wizards of the Coast LLC, used under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.