Use this D&D 5E language list to browse every Standard and Exotic SRD language, plus scripts, speakers, and quick lore notes.
D&D 5e includes 16 languages split into two categories. Standard languages (Common, Dwarvish, Elvish, Giant, Gnomish, Goblin, Halfling, Orc) are spoken by common races and are the most likely to be encountered in everyday play. Exotic languages (Abyssal, Celestial, Draconic, Deep Speech, Infernal, Primordial, Sylvan, Undercommon) are associated with monsters, outsiders, and ancient cultures. Most characters start with Common plus any languages granted by their race or background.
When people search for D&D languages, they usually want the full language list first, then who speaks each language and what script it uses. This page is built to answer that directly.
Standard language — Common script
Standard language — Dwarvish script
Dwarvish is full of hard consonants and guttural sounds.
Standard language — Elvish script
Elvish is fluid, with subtle intonations and intricate grammar. Elven literature is rich and varied, and their songs and poems are famous among other races. Many bards learn their language so they can add Elvish ballads to their repertoires.
Standard language — Dwarvish script
Standard language — Dwarvish script
The Gnomish language, which uses the Dwarvish script, is renowned for its technical treatises and its catalogs of knowledge about the natural world.
Standard language — Dwarvish script
Standard language — Common script
The Halfling language isn't secret, but halflings are loath to share it with others. They write very little, so they don't have a rich body of literature. Their oral tradition, however, is very strong.
Standard language — Dwarvish script
Orc is a harsh, grating language with hard consonants. It has no script of its own but is written in the Dwarvish script.
Exotic language — Infernal script
Exotic language — Celestial script
Exotic language — Draconic script
Draconic is thought to be one of the oldest languages and is often used in the study of magic. The language sounds harsh to most other creatures and includes numerous hard consonants and sibilants.
Exotic language
Exotic language — Infernal script
Exotic language — Dwarvish script
Exotic language — Elvish script
Exotic language — Elvish script
Frequently Asked Questions
The D&D 5e SRD includes 16 languages: 8 Standard (Common, Dwarvish, Elvish, Giant, Gnomish, Goblin, Halfling, Orc) and 8 Exotic (Abyssal, Celestial, Draconic, Deep Speech, Infernal, Primordial, Sylvan, Undercommon).
Demons speak Abyssal and devils speak Infernal. Both are Exotic languages. Warlocks with fiendish patrons often learn Infernal as a bonus language.
Draconic is one of the oldest languages in D&D, predating most others. It is spoken by dragons and is the basis for many arcane scripts used by wizards.
Elves speak Common and Elvish. Drow (dark elves) also speak Elvish, and many learn Undercommon due to their underground society.
Standard languages are spoken by common humanoid races and widely available as starting languages. Exotic languages are tied to monsters, outsiders, or ancient cultures and typically require a special race, background, or DM permission to learn.
Most player characters start with Common plus any additional languages granted by their race, background, or class features. For example, elves usually start with Common and Elvish, while dwarves start with Common and Dwarvish.