Light

A
Utility

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

See all Utility spells →
 spell that makes an object glow with customizable light, brightening dark spaces until covered.

2024 Rules
Level & School
Evocation cantrip
Casting Time
Action
Range
Touch
Components
V, M (a firefly or phosphorescent moss)
Duration
1 hour
Classes
Artificer, Bard, Cleric, Sorcerer, Wizard
Source
Player's Handbook (2024)

You touch one Large or smaller object that isn't being worn or carried by someone else. Until the spell ends, the object sheds Bright Light in a 20-foot radius and Dim Light for an additional 20 feet. The light can be colored as you like.

Covering the object with something opaque blocks the light. The spell ends if you cast it again.

2014 Rules
Level & School
Evocation cantrip
Casting Time
Action
Range
Touch
Components
V, M (a firefly or phosphorescent moss)
Duration
1 hour
Classes
Artificer, Bard, Cleric, Sorcerer, Wizard
Source
Player's Handbook (2014)

You touch one object that is no larger than 10 feet in any dimension. Until the spell ends, the object sheds bright light in a 20-foot radius and dim light for an additional 20 feet. The light can be colored as you like. Completely covering the object with something opaque blocks the light. The spell ends if you cast it again or dismiss it as an action.

If you target an object held or worn by a hostile creature, that creature must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw to avoid the spell.

Light 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences

Light now targets a Large or smaller object that isn’t being worn or carried, instead of any object up to 10 feet across. You can no longer end it early by dismissing it as an action, and it no longer has a save for objects held or worn by a hostile creature.

How popular is Light in 5e?

Light is the #6 most popular cantrip (of 49) and the #5 most picked Wizard cantrip (of 32).

Among cantrips, Light ranks just below Minor Illusion and just above Mending in popularity.

Read about how this popularity data is calculated.

Spells similar to Light