- Type
- Wondrous Items
- Rarity
- Rare
- Attunement
- Not required
- Price (2014)
- 501–5,000 gp (DMG value range)
- Price (2024)
- 4,000 gp
This fine black cloth, soft as silk, is folded up to the dimensions of a handkerchief. It unfolds into a circular sheet 6 feet in diameter.
You can use an action to unfold a portable hole and place it on or against a solid surface, whereupon the portable hole creates an extradimensional hole 10 feet deep. The cylindrical space within the hole exists on a different plane, so it can't be used to create open passages. Any creature inside an open portable hole can exit the hole by climbing out of it.
You can use an action to close a portable hole by taking hold of the edges of the cloth and folding it up. Folding the cloth closes the hole, and any creatures or objects within remain in the extradimensional space. No matter what's in it, the hole weighs next to nothing.
If the hole is folded up, a creature within the hole's extradimensional space can use an action to make a DC 10 Strength check. On a successful check, the creature forces its way out and appears within 5 feet of the portable hole or the creature carrying it. A breathing creature within a closed portable hole can survive for up to 10 minutes, after which time it begins to suffocate.
Placing a portable hole inside an extradimensional space created by a bag of holding, handy haversack, or similar item instantly destroys both items and opens a gate to the Astral Plane. The gate originates where the one item was placed inside the other. Any creature within 10 feet of the gate is sucked through it and deposited in a random location on the Astral Plane. The gate then closes. The gate is one-way only and can't be reopened.
How the Portable Hole plays
It’s a square of black cloth folded to the size of a handkerchief. Unfold it on a floor or wall with an action, and it becomes a circular hole 6 feet across and 10 feet deep, leading into an extradimensional space. Fold it back up with another action, and whatever is inside stays inside, while the cloth weighs next to nothing.
It holds far more than a Bag of Holding: a cylinder of about 280 cubic feet with no weight limit. That’s enough for a dragon’s hoard, a small cart’s worth of gear, or several people hiding from a patrol. It isn’t a real hole, though: it can’t be used to pass through a wall, because the space is on another plane.
Common questions
What happens if you put a Portable Hole in a Bag of Holding?
Both items are destroyed instantly and a one-way gate to the Astral Plane opens. Every creature within 10 feet is pulled through and left in a random location on the Astral Plane. The same happens with a Handy Haversack or any similar extradimensional space.
How much can a Portable Hole hold?
A cylinder 6 feet across and 10 feet deep, about 280 cubic feet. There’s no weight limit; the folded cloth weighs next to nothing whatever is inside.
Can creatures survive inside a folded Portable Hole?
A breathing creature can survive up to 10 minutes, then begins to suffocate. It can use its action to make a DC 10 Strength check to force its way out, appearing within 5 feet of the hole or whoever carries it.
Can I use a Portable Hole to go through a wall?
No. The space is on a different plane, so it can’t create an open passage. Unfolding it on a wall just makes a 10-foot-deep niche.
Can you climb out of an open Portable Hole?
Yes. Any creature inside an open hole can climb out.
Does a Portable Hole require attunement?
No. It’s a rare wondrous item anyone can use.
Portable Hole in the 2024 rules
The 2024 Dungeon Master’s Guide revised the magic items, and the SRD 5.2 carries the new text. What changed:
Same rarity and attunement; the text is reworded for the 2024 rules glossary.
- Type
- Wondrous Item
- Rarity
- Rare
- Attunement
- Not required
This fine black cloth, soft as silk, is folded up to the dimensions of a handkerchief. It unfolds into a circular sheet 6 feet in diameter.
You can take a Magic action to unfold a Portable Hole and place it on or against a solid surface, whereupon the Portable Hole creates an extradimensional hole 10 feet deep. The cylindrical space within the hole exists on a different plane of existence, so it can't be used to create open passages. Any creature inside an open Portable Hole can exit the hole by climbing out of it.
You can take a Magic action to close a Portable Hole by taking hold of the edges of the cloth and folding it up. Folding the cloth closes the hole, and any creatures or objects within remain in the extradimensional space. No matter what's in it, the hole weighs next to nothing.
If the hole is folded up, a creature within the hole's extradimensional space can take an action to make a DC 10 Strength (Athletics) check. On a successful check, the creature forces its way out and appears within 5 feet of the Portable Hole. A closed Portable Hole holds enough air for 1 hour of breathing, divided by the number of breathing creatures inside.
Placing a Portable Hole inside an extradimensional space created by a Bag of Holding, Handy Haversack, or similar item instantly destroys both items and opens a gate to the Astral Plane. The gate originates where the one item was placed inside the other. Any creature within 10 feet of the gate and not behind Total Cover is sucked through it and deposited in a random location on the Astral Plane. The gate then closes. The gate is one-way only and can't be reopened.
