SRD 5.2.1 is now available, as of May 1, 2025. Among other corrections, it includes 15 magic items that were accidentally omitted from SRD 5.2. Learn more in our Community Update.
The Systems Reference Document 5.2 (SRD 5.2) is now available on D&D Beyond! This document provides the base D&D rules for creators to publish their own products compatible with the 2024 ruleset.
As promised to the community, SRD 5.2 has been released under Creative Commons license and will coexist with SRD 5.1. You can learn more below:
- How to Access SRD 5.2
- What is the SRD?
- What is Creative Commons?
- What's Changing from SRD 5.1 to SRD 5.2?
- New Creator FAQ Page
- SRD 5.2 and the Errata Process
- What are the D&D Beyond Basic Rules?
- Are the D&D Beyond Basic Rules the same as SRD 5.2?
How to Access SRD 5.2
D&D Beyond is the home of SRD 5.1, SRD 5.2, other versions of the SRD, and everything you need to know about creating third-party content for Dungeons & Dragons. You can access the SRD and an FAQ here:
What is the SRD?
The SRD contains the base game rules for Dungeons & Dragons. It is used by third-party publishers to build products using the Dungeons & Dragons ruleset, which creators can reference in their products without paying a licensing fee to Wizards of the Coast.
SRD 5.2 includes foundational content from the 2024 core rules. You'll find an updated and expanded library of referenceable content, such as the rules glossary, weapon mastery properties, and exploration mechanics.
For creators who would like to continue creating content for the 2014 rules, SRD 5.1 will remain unchanged.
What is Creative Commons?
Creative Commons (CC) is a nonprofit licensing framework that allows creators to share their work freely while retaining certain rights. Publishing the core game mechanics of D&D under a Creative Commons license provides a legally binding promise that essential parts of D&D will remain free to use, remix, and build upon. Forever.
What's Changing from SRD 5.1 to SRD 5.2?
SRD 5.2 makes it easy for creators to transition their third-party content that was written for the 2014 rules to the 2024 rules.
To help with this transition, Wizards of the Coast has published the Converting to System Reference Document 5.2.1 guide. This resource outlines renamed rules, new mechanics, and revised systems across every part of the game, including classes, spells, monsters, and actions. The guide uses clear tags such as [New Rule], [Revised Rule], and [New Name] to help creators identify what's changed and how to adapt their content.
New Creator FAQ Page
To support our creator community, we have developed a Creator FAQ page that provides information on creating third-party products, fan content, and more.
On the new Creator FAQ page, you'll find resources like the Conversion Guide, as well as information about the Fan Content Policy, D&D Beyond's homebrew tools, and pointing your readers to official D&D Content not in the SRD.
SRD 5.2 and the Errata Process
SRD 5.2 will be regularly updated to incorporate the latest errata for the new core rules. The first errata of the new core rules has just been released, and SRD 5.2 comes with these changes implemented.
When errata is released for rules within SRD 5.2, the SRD will later reflect these changes, and its version number will be updated (e.g., SRD 5.2.1, 5.2.2, etc.). All future versions of the SRD will be released exclusively under Creative Commons (CC-BY-4.0) for consistency and broader compatibility.
What are the D&D Beyond Basic Rules?
With the release of SRD 5.2, we're replacing the Free Rules (2024) on D&D Beyond with the new D&D Beyond Basic Rules. This online resource is intended to help players and Dungeon Masters learn how to play the game.
Are the D&D Beyond Basic Rules the same as SRD 5.2?
No. Although you will find overlap between the D&D Beyond Basic Rules and SRD 5.2, only SRD 5.2 is being released under a Creative Commons license. The Basic Rules cannot be used in content creation.
Start Publishing Today
Dungeons & Dragons’ SRD allows publishers to create compatible adventures, rulebooks, and supplements using D&D’s core rules. With the team’s hard work on the 2024 core rules now available for the community to create with, there’s never been a better time to dive into publishing your own products!
And, as SRD 5.2 has been made available under Creative Commons license, you can rest assured that these rules will always be available for you to create with. Irrevocably and forever.
