Prestidigitation

A
Utility

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

See all Utility spells →
 spell for tiny magical tricks: clean, stain, flavor, mark, light, or create harmless sensory effects in a pinch.

2024 Rules
Level & School
Transmutation cantrip
Casting Time
Action
Range
10 feet
Components
V, S
Duration
Up to 1 hour
Classes
Bard, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard

You create a magical effect within range. Choose the effect from the options below. If you cast this spell multiple times, you can have up to three of its non-instantaneous effects active at a time.

Sensory Effect. You create an instantaneous, harmless sensory effect, such as a shower of sparks, a puff of wind, faint musical notes, or an odd odor.

Fire Play. You instantaneously light or snuff out a candle, a torch, or a small campfire.

Clean or Soil. You instantaneously clean or soil an object no larger than 1 cubic foot.

Minor Sensation. You chill, warm, or flavor up to 1 cubic foot of nonliving material for 1 hour.

Magic Mark. You make a color, a small mark, or a symbol appear on an object or a surface for 1 hour.

Minor Creation. You create a nonmagical trinket or an illusory image that can fit in your hand. It lasts until the end of your next turn. A trinket can deal no damage and has no monetary worth.

2014 Rules
Level & School
Transmutation cantrip
Casting Time
Action
Range
10 feet
Components
V, S
Duration
Up to 1 hour
Classes
Bard, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard

This spell is a minor magical trick that novice spellcasters use for practice. You create one of the following magical effects within Range:

  • You create an instantaneous, harmless sensory effect, such as a shower of sparks, a puff of wind, faint musical notes, or an odd odor.

  • You instantaneously light or snuff out a candle, a torch, or a small campfire.

  • You instantaneously clean or soil an object no larger than 1 cubic foot.

  • You chill, warm, or flavor up to 1 cubic foot of nonliving material for 1 hour.

  • You make a color, a small mark, or a symbol appear on an object or a surface for 1 hour.

  • You create a nonmagical trinket or an illusory image that can fit in your hand and that lasts until the end of your next turn.

If you cast this spell multiple times, you can have up to three of its non-instantaneous effects active at a time, and you can dismiss such an effect as an action.

Prestidigitation 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences

Prestidigitation no longer lets you dismiss a non-instantaneous effect as an action. Minor Creation also now says the trinket can deal no damage and has no monetary worth.

Prestidigitation popularity

Prestidigitation is a commonly chosen cantrip. Choosing it adds an established option to your spellbook.

Spells similar to Prestidigitation

  • Druidcraft Transmutation cantrip

    It’s a one-to-the-element, low-level nature of minor sensory/world effects that mirrors many of the same noncombat tricks.

  • Minor Illusion Illusion cantrip

    Both create small, short-lived sensory or visual effects useful for flavor, deception, or distraction rather than damage.

  • Thaumaturgy Transmutation cantrip

    It offers brief supernatural sensory and environmental changes at will, serving the same theatrical and utility niches.

  • Mage Hand Conjuration cantrip

    While invisible and kinetic rather than sensory, it’s the cantrip-level utility option for manipulating small things and performing minor tasks.

  • Mending Transmutation cantrip

    Its focus on small, instantaneous object alteration fits with the practical, noncombat tinkering side of the target spell.

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