Skip to main content

5e System Reference Document 5.1 — CC BY 4.0 License

This page covers the license terms under which Wizards of the Coast released the System Reference Document 5.1 (SRD 5.1)—a foundational ruleset compatible with many third-party game systems.

📜 Full License Source​

The SRD is provided under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC‑BY‑4.0). You may view or download the official license and SRD PDF here:
SRD 5.1 PDF and License Info

⚖️ Attribution Requirement​

When using any material from SRD 5.1, you must include exactly the following attribution statement:

This work includes material taken from the System Reference Document 5.1 (“SRD 5.1”) by Wizards of the Coast LLC and available at https://dnd.wizards.com/resources/systems-reference-document. The SRD 5.1 is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License available at https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode.

Please do not include any additional mention of Wizards of the Coast beyond this statement. You may use the phrase “compatible with fifth edition” or “5E compatible.”

oaicite:1

🧩 What Is and Isn’t Covered​

As permitted under CC BY 4.0, game mechanics and functional systems—including spells, initiative, movement, ability checks, conditions, combat structure, and statblock format—are freely reusable.

oaicite:2

However, SRD 5.1 does not include:

  • Any setting or listed races, classes, spells, monsters, background themes, magic items, or artworks;
  • Trade names or trademarks such as Dungeons & Dragons, Forgotten Realms, Beholder, Mind Flayer, etc.;
  • Proprietary text beyond core rules frameworks and schemas.
    oaicite:3

✅ Quick Summary​

ItemDetails
License TypeCC BY 4.0 (perpetual, irrevocable, commercial use allowed)
Materials CoveredCore game rules and systems, formatted according to SRD
Attribution RequiredThe exact statement provided above, no extra WotC references
Allowed LabelingYou may write “5E compatible” or “compatible with fifth edition”
Not CoveredLore, names, characters, art, trademarks, and non-mechanical content

🧵 Relationship to ORC‑Licensed Pathfinder Material​

If your published content also includes Pathfinder-based SRD elements (licensed under ORC), and WotC’s 5E SRD 5.1 elements, you must:

  • Reference both licenses (cc-srd.md and orc.md)
  • Provide separate attribution notices for each (following each license’s requirements)
  • Ensure all original content is covered under the Sundered Creator License (SCL)