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Education & Math

Dice Average Calculator

Two six-sided dice (2d6) average 7 per roll, and 13d8 averages 58.5. This dice average calculator gives the expected value of any dice pool in standard NdS notation, plus a flat modifier if your game adds one. It also shows the minimum and maximum possible totals, the full range your rolls can land in.

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Quick answer

A single die averages the midpoint of its faces: (sides + 1) / 2. A d6 averages 3.5.

Average roll (2d6)

7

Minimum

2

Maximum

12

What this tells you

  • A single die averages the midpoint of its faces: (sides + 1) / 2. A d6 averages 3.5.
  • Multiple dice just multiply that midpoint. 2d6 averages 2 x 3.5 = 7.
  • A flat modifier shifts the average directly. 2d6+3 averages 10.
  • More dice also means totals bunch around the average, single big dice stay wild.

How to Use

  1. 1Enter how many dice you roll.
  2. 2Enter the sides per die, like 6 for d6 or 20 for d20.
  3. 3Add any flat modifier, positive or negative.
  4. 4Read the average, minimum, and maximum for the pool.

How It Works

Formula

average = N x (S + 1) / 2 + modifier

Each die's faces run 1 to S, and their average is the midpoint (S + 1) / 2. Averages add across dice, so N dice average N times the midpoint. For 13d8 that is 13 x 4.5 = 58.5. The minimum is all ones (N + modifier) and the maximum is all top faces (N x S + modifier).

Calculation note: values are processed in the order shown above, using the current input units.

Worked Examples

Classic 2d6

Count2
Sides6
Modifier0
ResultAverage 7 (range 2 to 12)

Each d6 averages 3.5, and two of them average 7, the most common total in many board games.

13d8 damage pool

Count13
Sides8
Modifier0
ResultAverage 58.5 (range 13 to 104)

A d8 averages 4.5, times 13 dice gives 58.5.

Greatsword with a strength bonus (2d6+4)

Count2
Sides6
Modifier4
ResultAverage 11 (range 6 to 16)

The +4 shifts every outcome, including the 7 average, up by 4.

Average Roll per Die Type

Midpoint value of each common gaming die.

DieAverage10 dice average
d42.525
d63.535
d84.545
d105.555
d126.565
d2010.5105
d10050.5505

Common mistakes

  • Averaging a die as S / 2 instead of (S + 1) / 2. A d6 averages 3.5, not 3, because the faces start at 1 rather than 0.
  • Multiplying the modifier by the dice count. 2d6+3 adds 3 once, not per die.
  • Expecting the average on every roll. Half your rolls land below it, and single-die rolls spread evenly across the whole range.

Frequently Asked Questions

7. Each d6 averages 3.5, and averages add, so two dice give 7, the peak of the classic bell curve.
58.5. A d8 averages 4.5 per die, and 13 x 4.5 = 58.5, with totals ranging from 13 to 104.
The six faces 1 through 6 sum to 21, and 21 / 6 = 3.5. The midpoint formula (S + 1) / 2 gives the same answer.
A flat modifier shifts the average by exactly its value. 1d20+5 averages 10.5 + 5 = 15.5.
Same maximum (12), different everything else. 3d4 averages 7.5 with a minimum of 3 and bunches near the middle, while 1d12 averages 6.5 and rolls every value equally often.
Average each group and add: 4.5 + 7 = 11.5. Run the calculator once per die size.
It estimates dice average calculator outputs using the visible inputs and formula assumptions on this page.

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