Comprehend Languages

A
Utility

Comprehend Languages is a Utility spell. Utility spells solve problems outside of combat or provide unique situational advantages.

See all Utility spells →
 spell that reveals the literal meaning of spoken, signed, and written words, offering
language insight

Comprehend Languages is a Information spell. Information spells provide ways to transmit, perceive, detect, or reveal hidden or unknown information.

See all Information spells →
 without breaking ciphers.

2024 Rules
Level & School
1st-level divination
Casting Time
Action or Ritual
Range
Self
Components
V, S, M (a pinch of soot and salt)
Duration
1 hour
Classes
Bard, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard

For the duration, you understand the literal meaning of any language that you hear or see signed. You also understand any written language that you see, but you must be touching the surface on which the words are written. It takes about 1 minute to read one page of text. This spell doesn't decode symbols or secret messages.

2014 Rules
Level & School
1st-level divination
Casting Time
Action
Range
Self
Components
V, S, M (a pinch of soot and salt)
Duration
1 hour
Classes
Bard, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard

For the duration, you understand the literal meaning of any spoken language that you hear. You also understand any written language that you see, but you must be touching the surface on which the words are written. It takes about 1 minute to read one page of text.

This spell doesn't decode secret messages in a text or a glyph, such as an arcane sigil, that isn't part of a written language.

Comprehend Languages 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences

It now has the Ritual tag, so it can be cast as a ritual. It also lets you understand languages you see signed, not just spoken or written ones. The limitation is broadened slightly: it doesn’t decode symbols or secret messages.

Comprehend Languages popularity

Comprehend Languages is a commonly chosen level 1 spell. Choosing it adds an established option to your spellbook.

Spells similar to Comprehend Languages

  • Tongues 3rd-level divination

    It also handles understanding and communication across languages for an hour and is the closest higher-level analogue to this spell.

  • Identify 1st-level divination

    A first‑level divination ritual that provides knowledge about objects and magical secrets, matching the same investigative, noncombat utility niche.

  • Detect Magic 1st-level divination

    Another first‑level divination available as a ritual that reveals hidden information to the caster, serving a similar out‑of‑combat information role.

  • Augury 2nd-level divination

    A ritual divination that gives the caster specific useful information about events, sharing the same utility focus on insight rather than combat effects.

  • Speak with Animals 1st-level divination

    A first‑level ritual that grants the ability to understand and converse with a class of creatures, paralleling the language‑interpretation aspect of the target spell.