D&D 5e 3rd-Level Spells
There are 42 3rd-level spells in the D&D 5e SRD. Casting one requires a spell slot of 3rd level or higher. Tap any spell for its full casting text and higher-level effects.
42 results
- Animate DeadNecromancy
- Beacon of HopeAbjuration
- Bestow CurseNecromancy
- BlinkTransmutation
- Call LightningConjuration
- ClairvoyanceDivination
- Conjure AnimalsConjuration
- CounterspellAbjuration
- Create Food and WaterConjuration
- DaylightEvocation
- Dispel MagicAbjuration
- FearIllusion
- FireballEvocation
- FlyTransmutation
- Gaseous FormTransmutation
- Glyph of WardingAbjuration
- HasteTransmutation
- Hypnotic PatternIllusion
- Lightning BoltEvocation
- Magic CircleAbjuration
- Major ImageIllusion
- Mass Healing WordEvocation
- Meld Into StoneTransmutation
- NondetectionAbjuration
- Phantom SteedIllusion
- Plant GrowthTransmutation
- Protection From EnergyAbjuration
- Remove CurseAbjuration
- RevivifyConjuration
- SendingEvocation
- Sleet StormConjuration
- SlowTransmutation
- Speak with DeadNecromancy
- Speak with PlantsTransmutation
- Spirit GuardiansConjuration
- Stinking CloudConjuration
- Tiny HutEvocation
- TonguesDivination
- Vampiric TouchNecromancy
- Water BreathingTransmutation
- Water WalkTransmutation
- Wind WallEvocation
What's at this level
The 42 3rd-level spells in the SRD are 10 transmutation and 8 abjuration, with 24 more across other groups. 18 of them require concentration, which is the real constraint on this level — you can only hold one at a time, so two concentration spells in the same slot range compete rather than combine. 5 can be cast as a ritual, meaning they cost no slot at all if you can spare ten extra minutes; those are close to free and worth knowing even when you would not prepare them.
How to use these spells
Third to fifth level is where casters stop contributing to encounters and start deciding them. This band contains the game's best-known control and utility effects, and the practical skill is knowing which problem each slot is for: one reliable area damage option, one control effect, one movement or escape tool, and one answer to a problem that cannot be solved by fighting. A caster carrying four damage spells at this tier is underusing the level.
What DMs should know
Flight, teleportation, revivification and reliable divination all arrive in this band, and each one invalidates a category of obstacle. Chasms, locked rooms, death as a consequence and withheld information all need rethinking once the party reaches it. The fix is never to block the spell — it is to make the interesting part of the scene something the spell does not address.
Common questions
- How many 3rd-level spells are in the D&D 5e SRD?
- There are 42 3rd-level spells in the SRD. The SRD is the free subset of the rules, so the Player's Handbook contains more.
- What spell slot does a 3rd-level spell need?
- Casting it requires a slot of 3rd level or higher. Many spells also gain a stronger effect when cast with a higher-level slot — the individual spell entry lists what upcasting does.
- What character level can cast 3rd-level spells?
- It depends on the class. Full casters such as wizards, clerics and druids gain their first slot of this level earlier than half-casters such as paladins and rangers, who may never reach the highest levels at all. Check the class table for the exact progression.
From the shop
Printable Spell Cards
Every class spell as an illustrated, printable card — hand your players the spell instead of a rulebook page.
Browse Spell Cards on Etsy →