Dice notation reference

Reference for dS, NdS, and NdS±M expressions this roller accepts, with examples and troubleshooting tied to the on-page parser.

Tabletop groups often write rolls as compact expressions. This page documents only the patterns 3D Dice Roller parses in Dice notation—not every house-rule dialect.

Quick reference

dS

One die with S sides. A bare d20 means the same as 1d20.

NdS

Roll N dice with S sides each, then sum the faces (example: 2d6 or 4d6).

NdS+M

Sum the faces, then add modifier M (example: 2d6+3).

NdS-M

Sum the faces, then subtract M (example: 4d8-1).

Quantity, sides, and modifier

Quantity (N) is how many dice contribute faces. On the steppers, How many accepts 1–40. In notation, a missing N means 1.

Sides (S) is the highest face on each die. The Sides stepper accepts 2–1000; Regular (d6) locks sides at 6. Quick RPG buttons cover d4, d6, d8, d10, d12, d20, and d100.

Modifier (M) adjusts the sum after faces are added. The Modifier control allows values from −999 through 999. Notation uses + or − before the modifier digits.

Supported examples and rejected input

Expressions that work here include d20, 2d6, 2d6+3, 4d8-1, and 4d6. Prefer the examples printed beside Dice notation when you are unsure of spacing or signs.

Empty text, words without a d-expression, or a zero count such as 0d6 produce an error and do not roll. If the field shows an error, revise the text to match a supported example, then press Roll notation again.

The parser’s digit limits are wider than the steppers (count up to three digits, sides up to four). For everyday play, stay within the How many / Sides / Modifier controls so the UI and tray stay comfortable.

Reading the total

After a successful roll, each face is listed, then the modifier (if any), then the total = sum of faces plus the signed modifier.

History under Advanced notation & presets stores recent formatted lines on this device only.