Detect Magic
For the duration, you sense the presence of magic within 30 feet of you. If you sense magic in this way, you can use your action to see a faint aura around any visible creature or object in the area that bears magic, and you learn its school of magic, if any. The spell can penetrate most barriers, but is blocked by 1 foot of stone, 1 inch of common metal, a thin sheet of lead, or 3 feet of wood or dirt.
At a Glance
Level
1st
School
Divination
Casting Time
1 action
Range
Self
Duration
Concentration, up to 10 minutes
Concentration
Yes
How Detect Magic Works
| Casting Time | 1 action |
|---|---|
| Range | Self |
| Components | V, S |
| Duration | Concentration, up to 10 minutesCONCENTRATION |
| Ritual | Yes — can be cast without a spell slot (adds 10 minutes) |
Available to:
BardClericDruidPaladinRangerSorcererWizard
Common Mistakes
Common Mistake
Thinking it automatically reveals everything - you must use an action to identify schools of magic
Common Mistake
Forgetting the 30-foot range limitation
Common Mistake
Not accounting for barriers that block the spell
Common Mistake
Assuming it detects invisible creatures - it only detects magic, not the creatures themselves
DM Tips
DM Tip
Don't reveal every magic item immediately - let players investigate and use actions to learn more
DM Tip
Use the school of magic to give hints about effects without spoiling surprises
DM Tip
Remember that some magic is designed to be hidden from detection spells
DM Tip
This is often cast as a ritual, so players should rarely burn spell slots for it
Sources & Further Reading
- Detect Magic — D&D 5e Wikidot — Full SRD text
- Detect Magic — Roll20 Compendium — Structured reference
- Detect Magic — D&D Beyond — Official digital reference