You touch one object that is no larger than 10 feet in any dimension. Until the spell ends, the object sheds bright light in a 20-foot radius and dim light for an additional 20 feet. The light can be colored as you like. Completely covering the object with something opaque blocks the light. The spell ends if you cast it again or dismiss it as an action.
If you target an object held or worn by a hostile creature, that creature must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw to avoid the spell.
How Light plays
You touch an object no larger than 10 feet in any dimension, and for an hour it sheds bright light in a 20-foot radius and dim light for another 20 feet, the same as a torch, in any color you like. Covering it with something opaque blocks the light. Casting it again, or dismissing it with an action, ends it.
For a party without darkvision, it’s the most-used cantrip in the game: no torches to buy, light and juggle. Cast it on a helmet or a shield and your hands stay free; cast it on a pebble and throw it ahead into a dark room.
When to pick Light
Bards, clerics, sorcerers and wizards in any party where someone lacks darkvision.
Darkvision isn’t perfect. It only shows darkness as dim light, which is lightly obscured, so creatures relying on it have disadvantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that use sight. Real light fixes that.
Remember light works both ways. Everyone in the dungeon sees you coming. Cover the object before you sneak.
Common questions
Can the Light cantrip blind an enemy?
No. You can cast it on an object a hostile creature is wearing or holding, like its armor or shield, if it fails a Dexterity save. That lights the creature up, so it can’t lurk in the dark, but it doesn’t blind it.
Can I cast Light on a creature?
No, only on an object. An object a creature is wearing or carrying works: an ally’s helmet, or an enemy’s shield if it fails the save.
Does Light dispel magical darkness?
No, the other way round: if a Darkness spell overlaps light from a spell of 2nd level or lower, the light is dispelled. To dispel Darkness, use Daylight.
How many Light spells can I have at once?
One. Casting it again ends the first. Several casters can each keep one going.
What changed in the 2024 rules?
The 2024 Light targets a Large or smaller object that isn’t worn or carried by someone else, so there’s no casting it on an enemy’s gear, and no saving throw.
Cantrip, concentration: up to four floating lights of 10-foot dim light each that you move with a bonus action. Better for scouting ahead, much dimmer.
The 2024 Player’s Handbook revised many spells, and the SRD 5.2 carries the new text. What changed from the 2014 version above:
Same level, casting time, range, components, duration and dice; the text is reworded for the 2024 rules glossary.
Casting time
Action
Range
Touch
Components
V, M (a firefly or phosphorescent moss)
Duration
1 hour
School
Evocation
Level
Cantrip
Classes
Bard, Cleric, Sorcerer, Wizard
You touch one Large or smaller object that isn't being worn or carried by someone else. Until the spell ends, the object sheds Bright Light in a 20-foot radius and Dim Light for an additional 20 feet. The light can be colored as you like.
Covering the object with something opaque blocks the light. The spell ends if you cast it again.
2024 version from the SRD 5.2. Most tables settle on one edition, so check which one yours uses.
