All DnD 5e languages explained

What are the DnD languages? Countless species and civilizations have joined the vast multiverse of Dungeons and Dragons over the last 50 years, so the game has many languages – well over 60 and counting, in fact. Of those, there are 17 fully fleshed out, main ones you’ll use in game – split into Standard and Exotic D&D languages. This guide explains all of them, as well as the most popular DnD alphabets, rules for learning new languages, and a list of more obscure languages from the far planes.

Worth remembering here is that, in the 2014 version of the rules, the languages your character can speak are pretermined by which of the DnD races you’re from. But in the newer Player’s Handbook, DnD 2024 backgrounds determine this instead. In some rare cases, DnD classes can also add languages to your character’s linguistic repertoire.

For full details on what’s changed in the switch from classic 5e to the DnD 2024 rules, read our section on how to learn DnD languages.

Here’s our full handbook for DnD languages:

• How many DnD languages are there?
• Standard DnD languages list – the most commonly spoken
• Exotic DnD languages list – rarely heard, but still important
• What are the main DnD alphabets?
• How do I learn DnD languages?
• What are the best DnD languages?
• Other DnD languages 

How many DnD languages are there?

There are 17 main languages in Dungeons and Dragons 5e – 10 common and seven rare – but the total number of languages spoken in the DnD multiverse is more than 60.

The most popularly used 5e languages – called ‘Standard’ languages – are Common, Dwarvish, Elvish, Giant, Gnomish, Goblin, Halfling, Orc, Draconic, and Common Sign Language.

The seven rare – or ‘Exotic’ – Dungeons and Dragons languages are Abyssal, Celestial, Infernal, Deep Speech, Primordial, Sylvan, and Undercommon.

However, that’s not including a huge range of minor languages and dialects spoken and written across the Forgotten Realms and various other DnD settings in Wizards of the Coast’s ever growing multiverse.

Once you factor in the various hidden, little known, or esoteric 5e languages from specific sourcebooks – including those inter-dimensionally ported in from Magic: The Gathering – the total number of languages in D&D rises to over 60. To find out more about those mysterious tongues, read on!

Standard DnD languages

The 10 Standard DnD languages are widely spoken across the core DnD settings, so they’re all useful to learn, whether you’re infiltrating an urban community or wandering through uncharted forests. Here’s an overview of each standard language, which alphabets they use, and which species tend to speak them.

Common

• Origin: Sigil
• Alphabet: Common

Common is a universal DnD language spoken by most races, and unless you specify otherwise, it’s usually the one you’ll be assumed to be using. Being able to talk to everyone in Common is super useful, but the other standard languages can still be handy, provided you’re creative.

Common Sign Language

• Origin: Sigil
• Alphabet: N/A

As the name implies, Common Sign Language is the sign equivalent of Common. The 2024 rules have made more effort to include sign language in the world of Dungeons and Dragons. For example, the Comprehend Language spell now also gives you the ability to understand sign and spoken language.

Draconic

• Origin: Dragons, Dragonborn
• Alphabet: Draconic

Yes, it’s true – if you’re playing a DnD Dragonborn, chances are you can talk to an actual dragon using your shared language, Draconic. Dragonborn also share ancestry with DnD Kobolds, so they can join the conversation too.

Dwarvish

• Origin: Dwarves
• Alphabet: Dwarvish runes

While it’s mainly spoken by DnD Dwarf characters, several other languages use the runic alphabet that was first used for Dwarvish. As well as being widely spoken, you’ll see a lot of DnD weapons inscribed with Dwarvish runes.

Elvish

• Origin: Elves
• Alphabet: Elvish

Also sometimes called Elven, Elvish is commonly spoken by DnD Elf characters. Long ago in Elvish history, some Elves had ties to the Feywild, so the language spoken on that plane shares the Elvish alphabet.

Giant

• Origin: Ogres, Giants
• Alphabet: Dwarvish runes

Giant (or Giantish) is one of the oldest living languages in the core setting of Faerûn. Being able to speak Giant might help you avoid fighting one on your adventures – which is advisable, as they can be extremely powerful foes.

Gnomish

• Origin: Gnomes
• Alphabet: Dwarvish runes

Gnomish shares an alphabet with Dwarvish, but the languages are very different. Naturally, Gnomish is most commonly spoken by Gnomes, but creatures from a variety of species use Gnomish in academic writing thanks to its clear and specific vocabulary.

Goblin

• Origin: Goblinoids
• Alphabet: Dwarvish runes

DnD Goblins, Bugbears, and Hobgoblins all share the Goblin language. To the untrained ear, many sounds in the language resemble grunting.

Halfling

• Origin: Halflings
• Alphabet: Common

Generally, DnD Halflings are very open to learning other languages, but their species does have a language of its own. Perhaps this affability is why the Halfling language shares the Common alphabet.

Orc

• Origin: Orcs
• Alphabet: Dwarvish runes

If you’re playing an Orc or DnD Half-Orc, your native tongue is likely to be the Orc language. It’s an old language that evolved from even older languages spoken by Orcs, but it shares an alphabet with Dwarvish. 

Rare DnD languages

The Rare DnD languages – also known as Exotic Languages – are spoken in places that are less populated by average adventurers, but speaking them can often be just as useful as their Common counterparts.

If you’re exploring the Feywild or the Nine Hells, chances are you’ll encounter a rare language that’s unique to that area – and knowing the lingo will make you a very useful party member. Here’s a run through of all seven, their alphabets, and which races use each language.

Abyssal

• Origin: Demons
• Alphabet: Infernal

Abyssal is spoken by all demons, but its dialects sound vastly different depending on the rank of the demon speaking. Baloths, Quasits, and Nycaloths may all speak Abyssal – but very different forms of it.

Celestial

• Origin: Celestials
• Alphabet: Celestial

As the name implies, Celestials – such as Angels, Hollyphants, or Ki-rins – speak Celestial. It’s also common for the odd DnD Cleric to pick it up, given its angelic origins.

Infernal

• Origin: Devils
• Alphabet: Infernal

Devils in the Nine Hells commonly speak and write in Infernal. Clerics of certain DnD alignments may learn this language. Plus, a DnD Warlock in a pact with a devil might find it useful to know.

Deep Speech

• Origin: Aberrations
• Alphabet: None

Aberrations, such as Mind Flayers and Beholders, speak the Deep Speech of the Far Realm. There is no written version of this language, though some species have created their own version as accurately as they can.

Primordial

• Origin: Elementals
• Alphabet: Dwarvish runes

All Elementals speak Primordial, but there are four core dialects, one for each elemental plane. These are:

• Auran – spoken by Air Elementals.
• Aquan – spoken by Water Elementals.
• Ignan – spoken by Fire Elementals.
• Terran – spoken by Earth Elementals.

The four dialects of Primordial are closely related and mutually comprehensible – so an elemental who speaks Aquan can still communicate with one that speaks Ignan, but they remain distinct.

Sylvan

• Origin: Fey creatures
• Alphabet: Elvish

Fairies, Eladrin, and other creatures that originate from the Feywild tend to speak Sylvan. It shares an alphabet with Elvish.

Undercommon

• Origin: Underdark residents
• Alphabet: Elvish

Creatures from the Underdark, such as Drow and Duargar, typically speak Undercommon. It’s a common trade language, so many creatures beyond the Underdark make the effort to learn Undercommon.

Can my character speak exotic languages?

There are usually restrictions on which characters can start the game knowing exotic and rare DnD languages. The 2014 Players’ Handbook suggests you should ask your DM for permission before you add one of these languages to your DnD character sheet. The 2024 rules are even more extreme, as you can’t choose a rare language at all during character creation.

It’s hard to see why you’d be banned from picking one, but it probably is worth having a quick discussion with your DM anyhow, for one simple reason: depending on what awaits you in the adventure,  you might end up picking a language you never get to use.

Whereas an imaginative player will find opportunities to use the standard D&D languages in pretty much any game, the rare languages are a bit more all-or-nothing. Many of them are mainly spoken in particular far flung regions, or specific DnD planes.

DnD alphabets

There are at least 21 different DnD alphabets used across multiple languages at different times and in different areas of the DnD multiverse.

However, the vast majority of texts characters encounter in the Forgotten Realms are written in one of three main scripts:

• Thorass – used for Common and many of its dialects.
• Espruar – the most widely used Elvish alphabet.
• Dethek – the most widely used alphabet of Dwarvish runes.

Thorass

By far the most commonly used alphabet among humans on Faerûn is Thorass – it’s the main script for Common, as well as many other regional human languages.

Espruar

The dominant form of Elvish script in Dungeons and Dragons’ Forgotten Realms setting is Espruar, used widely by all types of Elves. It’s also the script most often used by non-Aberrations to write in Deep Speech, which has no written form of its own.

Dethek

The most prevalent alphabet of Dwarvish runes on Faerûn is Dethek. Almost all Dwarves in the Forgotten Realms write using these runes – although a very similar runic alphabet, Davek, is also sometimes used. Davek is the dominant form of Dwarvish writing on the worlds of Nerath and Eberron, and probably originated on Nerath.

If you want to create handouts and materials for your campaign using the official DnD alphabets, fansite Candlekeep has created some excellent fonts for these main scripts.

How to learn DnD languages

All Dungeons and Dragons characters pick up a handful of languages during character creation. However, depending on which version of the Player’s Handbook you use, these will come from different sources.

5e language rules

In the 2014 rules, your character’s race determines what languages they can speak. Everyone can speak Common, but they also learn at least one other language, which is usually tied to their heritage. Dragonborn speak Draconic, Gnomes speak Gnomish, and Humans can choose any extra language they like.

Additionally, some 5e backgrounds give your character an extra language to learn. An Acolyte can speak two additional DnD languages, while Nobles, Hermits, and Outlanders have one extra.

A handful of classes also naturally know a secret language that’s specific to their community. The Rogue 5e can communicate in Thieves’ Cant, while only the Druid 5e knows how to speak Druidic. In a more unique case, the Ranger 5e‘s Favored Enemy ability lets them learn one language spoken by their preferred monster targets (though only in the 2014 rules).

If you want to learn a new language during your DnD campaign, you must pay an instructor one GP per day to teach you for 250 days. After this, you gain proficiency with the language of your choice.

DnD 2024 languages

In the 2024 Player’s Handbook, languages are not tied to any other character rules. When you create a character, they can automatically speak Common and two other languages of your choice. Crucially, these have to be from the ‘standard’ languages list.

The newer Player’s Handbook doesn’t include clear rules for learning new languages. However, several classes have features that can teach them new tongues:

• Ranger – Deft Explorer gives you two extra languages
• Rogue – Thieves’ Cant teaches you Thieves’ Cant and one extra language
• Druid – You know Druidic, and you always have the spell Speak With Animals prepared
• Wizard – The Diviner subclass eventually gets the Third Eye feature, which means they can read any language.

What are the best DnD languages?

The best DnD languages for your character will depend entirely on the campaign you’re playing in. Sylvan is a top-tier pick if you’re about to start a Feywild campaign like The Wild Beyond the Witchlight, but it’s useless if you never meet a Fey. Apart from Common (which every player-character can speak), the value of a language is situational.

That being said, there are some D&D languages that we’d recommend over others:

S Tier

• Common – Everyone speaks it, and you automatically learn it.

A Tier

• Draconic – You’ll rarely meet a dragon that can’t speak Common, but this language is also used often for magic.
• Giant – A common enemy type you might interact with, and some of them might not speak Common.
• Undercommon – Everyone in the Underdark speaks this, and many other unusual monsters share this language. Plus it has utility as a trade language.

B Tier

• Dwarvish – Most Dwarves speak Common, and there are few utility reasons to choose this language, but you’ll meet Dwarves very often and might be able to impress them with your language skills. Plus, many other languages use the Dwarvish alphabet.
• Elvish – Ditto Dwarvish.
• Goblin – Another common enemy you’re likely to meet, though not so much at higher levels of the campaign.
• Sylvan – You’re fairly likely to encounter a Fey creature that speaks Sylvan, though this rare language is still quite situational.

C Tier

• Gnomish – Most Gnomes speak Common, and the main use of this will be to converse in secret with others who share this language.
• Halfling – Ditto Gnomish.
• Orc – Ditto Gnomish and Halfling.
• Common Sign Language – Incredibly useful, but only if your group encounters Deaf characters regularly, or needs to communicate silently without using magic.
• Abyssal – Only useful if you encounter demons, and many of them speak Common anyway.
• Infernal – Ditto Abyssal.
• Primordial – Only really spoken by elementals, a fairly rare monster to encounter. However, they’re less likely to be able to speak Common than other monsters, so this can be a life-saver in the right scenario.

D Tier

• Celestial – Meeting a celestial is an incredibly rare occurrence, and they might well be able to speak Common anyway.
• Deep Speech – You might meet a Mind Flayer, but they probably don’t want to chat. Beholders also speak this language, but they’re likely to know several more common languages, too. 

Other DnD languages

There are a huge number of obscure languages in the various DnD books and settings. Some of these are used by rarer races – Aarakocra and Minotaurs have their own languages, for example. Many monsters have their own individual languages, though these are difficult to learn without a special ability (such as the Ranger’s Favored Enemy). Other DnD languages are found on entirely different planes and planets from Faerûn.

There’s a reason these extra-rare languages can only be found in additional sourcebooks. Generally, you wouldn’t choose these languages for your character unless you’re from the planet or land they originate in. Maybe you’re planning to hop planes or visit a new planet in your Spelljammer, but unless you know the language will be useful, we’d recommend something more general.

There are so many possible languages that we aren’t able to list all of them here. However, we have listed the most common ones you might want to speak if your character belongs to a certain species, culture, or campaign. We’ve also pointed out which sourcebooks they come from.

Here are some of the other languages you might encounter in 5e:

Theros languages

Found in: Mythic Odysseys of Theros

Ravnica languages

Found in: Guildmaster’s Guide to Ravnica

Krynn languages

Found in: Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen

Eberron languages

Found in: Wayfinder’s Guide to Eberron

Wildspace languages

Found in: Spelljammer: Adventures in Space

Found in: Mordenkainen’s Tome of Foes

Forgotten Realms languages

Found in: Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide

These languages are optional Human languages your campaign could use instead of assuming that everyone speaks Common. Check if your DM is using these languages before having your character learn them!

Critical Role languages

Found in: Explorer’s Guide to Wildemount, Tal’Dorei Campaign Setting

Exandria, the original setting for Critical Role’s various actual play Dungeons and Dragons adventures (not to mention the Legend of Vox Machina animated series) includes many of the regular DnD languages, but also adds a fair few of its own creations to the mix.

Here are the nine Critical Role specific languages, and who speaks them:

Monster languages

Found in: Monster Manual, Volo’s Guide to Monsters, Mordenkainen’s Tome of Foes

Not all DnD monsters are barely sentient beasts – many are highly sophisticated creatures with their own modes of communication, which characters can learn via special training, or using the Favored Enemy feat. Learning to speak to a Hook Horror is an extremely specialized skill, sure, but who knows – in your game, it could make the difference between life and death!

In addition to some mentioned above, there are at least 21 other monster languages listed in the three main 5e bestiaries:

• Blink Dog
• Bullywug
• Giant Eagle
• Giant Elk
• Giant Owl
• Gnoll
• Grell
• Grung
• Hook Horror
• Kruthik
• Modron
• Otyugh
• Sahuagin
• Slaad
• Tlincalli
• Troglodyte
• Umber Hulk
• Vegepygmy
• Winter Wolf
• Worg
• Yeti

That’s your complete guide to DnD languages all wrapped up. Need some more rules refreshers? We can walk you through the entire DnD character creator process. We can also help you keep up with the latest DnD release schedule for new books, and recommend you the best DnD games to play on PC and console.