D&D Initiative Rules

Initiative determines the order creatures take turns in combat. Each combatant ordinarily makes a Dexterity check at the start of the fight. Add any applicable bonuses, then put the totals in descending order. The same order normally repeats each round.

Walk through a round

Mira rolls 12 with a +3 initiative modifier for 15. The DM rolls 10 with +2 for a group of identical guards, giving the group 12. Thorne rolls 8 with +1 for 9. Mira acts first, the guards act at 12, and Thorne goes last. After Thorne finishes, round two begins with Mira again.

Try it in the free D&D initiative tracker. Enter already-computed totals and choose Start Combat. If you only know the bonus, choose Roll d20 + mod instead.

Break ties before advancing

Under the 2024 rules, players decide the order of their tied characters. The DM orders tied monsters and chooses the order between a monster and a player character. If the guards and Thorne both have 12, have the DM decide their relative position and use Edit order to set it.

Check which surprise rule your table uses

Under the 2014 basic rules, a surprised creature can’t move or take an action on its first turn and can’t take a reaction until that turn ends. Under the 2024 rules, a creature surprised by the start of combat has disadvantage on its initiative roll. Roll two d20s, use the lower result, and apply the relevant initiative modifier.

The dice roller shows both rolls if you select D20 and enter 2 dice. Read the lower individual result before applying your bonus. The tracker gives each creature its normal turn position so the DM can apply the rule the table is using.

Add lair actions at their initiative count

Some lair actions resolve at a fixed initiative count, often 20. If the encounter says the action loses ties, a combatant at 20 acts first. In an active fight, use Lair / slot to add the action as its own turn-order entry. See the Initiative Tracker FAQ for quick answers on bonuses and count 20.

Rules references: 2014 D&D Basic Rules and 2024 D&D Basic Rules.