Mage Hand

A
Utility

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

See all Utility spells →
 spell that conjures a spectral hand to manipulate objects, open doors, and fetch items, moving again with
magic action

Mage Hand is a Action Economy spell. Action Economy spells grant you more choices on future turns.

See all Action Economy spells →
.

2024 Rules
Level & School
Conjuration cantrip
Casting Time
Action
Range
30 feet
Components
V, S
Duration
1 minute
Classes
Bard, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard

A spectral, floating hand appears at a point you choose within range. The hand lasts for the duration. The hand vanishes if it is ever more than 30 feet away from you or if you cast this spell again. When you cast the spell, you can use the hand to manipulate an object, open an unlocked door or container, stow or retrieve an item from an open container, or pour the contents out of a vial.

As a Magic action on your later turns, you can control the hand thus again. As part of that action, you can move the hand up to 30 feet.

The hand can't attack, activate magic items, or carry more than 10 pounds.

2014 Rules
Level & School
Conjuration cantrip
Casting Time
Action
Range
30 feet
Components
V, S
Duration
1 minute
Classes
Bard, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard

A spectral, floating hand appears at a point you choose within range. The hand lasts for the duration or until you dismiss it as an action. The hand vanishes if it is ever more than 30 feet away from you or if you cast this spell again.

You can use your action to control the hand. You can use the hand to manipulate an object, open an unlocked door or container, stow or retrieve an item from an open container, or pour the contents out of a vial. You can move the hand up to 30 feet each time you use it.

The hand can't attack, activate magic items, or carry more than 10 pounds.

Mage Hand 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences

You can now use Mage Hand to manipulate an object, open containers, stow/retrieve items, or pour a vial as part of casting it, instead of having to spend your action later to do that.

Mage Hand popularity

Mage Hand is one of the most popular cantrips in the game. Choosing it adds a D&D staple to your spellbook.

Spells similar to Mage Hand

  • Unseen Servant 1st-level conjuration

    Both summon an invisible, semi-autonomous servant you can command to do simple tasks and free up your actions.

  • Find Familiar 1st-level conjuration

    Each creates a helpful magical companion that can perform utility functions and extend your reach for information or small tasks.

  • Tenser's Floating Disk 1st-level conjuration

    Both create a magical, persistent object that carries or holds items at range, easing inventory and movement chores.

  • Bigby's Hand 5th-level evocation

    Arcane Hand is basically a much stronger version of the same concept—a conjured hand used to manipulate the battlefield and interact at range.

  • Telekinesis 5th-level transmutation

    Although higher level, it replicates the core idea of manipulating objects and creatures at a distance without physically touching them.

Mage Hand is featured in