D&D 5e Passive Perception Calculator
Work out a character's passive Perception from Wisdom, proficiency, Expertise, advantage or disadvantage, and situational bonuses — no dice, just the SRD formula.
Passive Perception is the number a Dungeon Master quietly checks against a DC whenever a character isn't actively searching — spotting an ambush, noticing a trap, or catching something out of place. Rather than calling for a roll every few feet of dungeon corridor, the DM compares each character's fixed passive score to the DC of whatever might be missed. Set the inputs below to match a character sheet and the passive Perception score updates instantly, with a breakdown of exactly where each part of the total comes from.
Passive Perception Calculator
Score 14 → modifier +2
Level 1 → proficiency bonus +2
Perception Skill
Passive Perception
14
Passive Perception = 10 + +2 (Wis) + 2 (proficiency) = 14
The Passive Perception Formula
Passive Perception = 10 + Wisdom modifier + proficiency bonus (if proficient) + proficiency bonus again (if Expertise) + situational bonus ± 5 (advantage/disadvantage)
This is the fixed score a DM checks against a DC instead of calling for a roll — it represents the result an average, unrolled 10 would produce on the check.
Proficiency bonus by level
| Level | 1-4 | 5-8 | 9-12 | 13-16 | 17-20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bonus | +2 | +3 | +4 | +5 | +6 |
It only applies to the total if the character is proficient in the Perception skill; Expertise (from features like the Rogue's or Bard's Expertise) doubles that contribution.
Ability modifier from score
modifier = floor((ability score - 10) / 2)
Round down. A Wisdom of 14 gives a +2 modifier; a Wisdom of 13 also rounds down to +1.
Advantage and disadvantage
If a rule grants advantage on the underlying Wisdom (Perception) check, add a flat +5 to the passive score; disadvantage subtracts a flat −5. Never both at once, and never more than one +5 or −5 even if advantage comes from multiple sources. Situational bonuses — feats like Observant (+5), certain magic items, or a DM-ruled circumstance bonus — stack on top of everything else.
Worked Example
A 5th-level rogue has a Wisdom score of 14 (+2 modifier), is proficient in Perception, and has taken Expertise in it. At level 5 their proficiency bonus is +3, and Expertise doubles that contribution to +6. They also have the Observant feat, adding a flat +5. They are not rolling with advantage or disadvantage on this check.
10 + 2 (Wis) + 6 (expertise proficiency) + 5 (Observant) = 23
That rogue has a passive Perception of 23 — plug the same numbers into the calculator above to check the math.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you calculate passive Perception in 5e?
Passive Perception = 10 + Wisdom modifier + proficiency bonus (if proficient in Perception, doubled if you have Expertise) + any situational bonus. If the character has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks, add 5; if disadvantage, subtract 5. There is no die roll — it's a fixed number the DM compares against a DC to see what the character notices without actively searching.
What is passive Perception?
Passive Perception is a character's baseline score for noticing things — hidden creatures, traps, secret doors — without rolling dice or actively looking. The DMG rule (also stated in the Basic Rules) sets it at 10 + all the modifiers that would apply to an ordinary Wisdom (Perception) check, so it represents what an average d20 roll of 10 would produce.
Does advantage affect passive Perception?
Yes. If a rule or feature grants a character advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks, their passive Perception score gets a flat +5. Disadvantage on the check applies the opposite penalty, a flat −5. This mirrors how advantage/disadvantage shifts the average result of an actual d20 roll.
How does the Observant feat affect passive Perception?
The Observant feat adds a flat +5 to both passive Perception and passive Investigation. It's a situational bonus in the 10 + modifiers formula, stacking on top of Wisdom modifier and proficiency — enter it in the "other bonus" field above to see the total.