Comparison
An AnyDice Alternative That Does Not Need a Script
AnyDice is the tool people reach for when they want to see a dice curve, and it is very good. It also expects you to write a small program. This page is for the times you just want the answer.
The shape of 3d6
What output 3d6 gives you on AnyDice, without typing it.
Change the inputs above and the chart follows.
- Lowest
- 3
- Highest
- 18
- Average
- 10.50
- Most likely
- 10
- Chance of 10
- 12.5%
- Possible totals
- 16
Peak at 10 (12.5%). Average 10.50. Range 3–18.
Every total, with odds
| Total | Chance | Odds | This or higher | This or lower |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 0.463% | 1 in 216 | 100.0% | 0.463% |
| 4 | 1.39% | 1 in 72 | 99.5% | 1.85% |
| 5 | 2.78% | 1 in 36 | 98.1% | 4.63% |
| 6 | 4.63% | 1 in 22 | 95.4% | 9.26% |
| 7 | 6.94% | 1 in 14 | 90.7% | 16.2% |
| 8 | 9.72% | 1 in 10 | 83.8% | 25.9% |
| 9 | 11.6% | 1 in 9 | 74.1% | 37.5% |
| 10 | 12.5% | 1 in 8 | 62.5% | 50.0% |
| 11 | 12.5% | 1 in 8 | 50.0% | 62.5% |
| 12 | 11.6% | 1 in 9 | 37.5% | 74.1% |
| 13 | 9.72% | 1 in 10 | 25.9% | 83.8% |
| 14 | 6.94% | 1 in 14 | 16.2% | 90.7% |
| 15 | 4.63% | 1 in 22 | 9.26% | 95.4% |
| 16 | 2.78% | 1 in 36 | 4.63% | 98.1% |
| 17 | 1.39% | 1 in 72 | 1.85% | 99.5% |
| 18 | 0.463% | 1 in 216 | 0.463% | 100.0% |
Where this is simpler
AnyDice is a programming language with a dice type. To see 3d6 you type
output 3d6, which is fine. To see the higher of two d20 you type
output [highest 1 of 2d20]. To see 4d6 drop lowest you type
output [highest 3 of 4d6], and to add a modifier you write it into
the expression. Each of those is easy once you know the syntax and a small wall
if you do not.
Here, a notation is two numbers and an optional modifier, and the curve, the stats and the full table appear as you type. Advantage and disadvantage are a toggle on the d20 pages. 4d6 drop lowest has its own roller that also rolls the six scores and ranks the array. And every page doubles as a roller, so the odds and the dice live in the same place.
Where AnyDice is better
Honest answer: anything conditional. Exploding dice, rerolling ones, counting successes in a dice pool, "roll 2d6 and if you get doubles roll again", custom functions, comparing two expressions on one chart. AnyDice handles all of it because it is a language. This site handles sums of identical dice with a modifier, plus drop lowest and advantage, because that covers most of what comes up at a table. If your question needs a loop, use AnyDice.
Translations
Common AnyDice programs and where the same answer lives here.
| AnyDice | Here |
|---|---|
output 3d6 | Roll 3d6 |
output 2d6+3 | Roll 2d6, modifier 3 |
output [highest 1 of 2d20] | Roll a d20, advantage on |
output [lowest 1 of 2d20] | Roll a d20, disadvantage on |
output [highest 3 of 4d6] | 4d6 drop lowest |
output 6d[highest 3 of 4d6] | 4d6 drop lowest, whole-character chart |
output 8d6 | Calculator, 8 dice, 6 sides |
output d100 | Roll a d100 |
Common questions
Is this the same maths as AnyDice?
Yes, for the rolls it covers. Both enumerate the full outcome space rather than simulating, so the probabilities agree exactly. AnyDice supports a far wider range of expressions; this site supports fewer of them with no syntax.
Can I see the probability of rolling a target or higher?
Yes. The Target field above shows the chance of that total or better for the current notation, and the table lists it for every total. On AnyDice the equivalent is switching the view to "at least".
Does this handle exploding dice or dice pools?
No. Exploding dice, success counting and conditional rerolls need a scripting language, and AnyDice is the right tool for them. This site covers sums of identical dice, modifiers, drop lowest, and advantage.