Healing Word is a 1st-level spell for Bards, Clerics, and Druids. As a bonus action, one creature you can see within 60 feet regains 1d4 + your spellcasting ability modifier hit points, plus 1d4 per slot level above 1st. The 2024 rules raise it to 2d4 + modifier, plus 2d4 per slot level. Its main job is getting a downed ally back up from 0 hit points.
Healing Word is a 1st-level evocation spell that heals a creature at range as a bonus action. Bards, Clerics, and Druids all have it from 1st level.
The healing is small. With a +3 modifier, it restores 4 to 7 hit points, 5.5 on average. What makes it valuable is when and how you can cast it. It costs a bonus action, works at 60 feet, and needs only a verbal component. You can bring a fallen ally back into the fight without walking to them and still use your action.
Any healing wakes a creature at 0 hit points and resets its death saving throws. That is why Healing Word is often the most efficient healing spell in the game. It turns an unconscious ally into an active one for one bonus action and one 1st-level slot.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Level | 1 |
| School | Evocation |
| Casting Time | 1 bonus action |
| Range | 60 feet |
| Components | V |
| Material | None |
| Duration | Instantaneous |
| Concentration | No |
| Ritual | No |
| Save/Attack | None |
| Classes | Bard, Cleric, Druid |
| Metric | Assessment |
|---|---|
| Slot Efficiency | Excellent on a creature at 0 hit points. Poor as a top-up. |
| Action Economy | Bonus action at 60 feet, leaving your action free for a cantrip or other non-spell action. |
| Opportunity Cost | Your bonus action, and the bonus-action spell rule for the rest of the turn. |
When worth the slot: An ally is at 0 hit points, especially one who acts soon in the initiative order.
When NOT worth the slot: Topping up an ally outside combat. A short rest and Hit Dice do that for free.
| Slot | 2014 healing | 2014 average (+3 mod) | 2024 healing | 2024 average (+3 mod) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 1d4 + mod | 5.5 | 2d4 + mod | 8 |
| 2nd | 2d4 + mod | 8 | 4d4 + mod | 13 |
| 3rd | 3d4 + mod | 10.5 | 6d4 + mod | 18 |
Upcasting adds little in the 2014 rules: 2.5 hit points per slot level. Save higher slots for other spells.
Why it works: A creature at 0 hit points that regains any healing gets up with those hit points. Healing an ally at 5 hit points to 10 just delays the same problem.
This avoids the mistake of: Spending slots on small top-ups that the next attack erases.
Why it works: In the 2014 rules, after casting a bonus-action spell you can still cast a cantrip with a casting time of 1 action. Healing Word plus Sacred Flame or Vicious Mockery uses the whole turn.
This avoids the mistake of: Thinking a turn spent healing is a turn with no offense.
Why it works: If the downed ally acts right after you, they get a full turn back. If enemies act first, they may knock the ally down again.
This avoids the mistake of: Healing an ally who drops again before they ever act.
Why it works: Disciple of Life (2014) adds 2 + the spell's level to healing from spells of 1st level or higher. A 1st-level Healing Word with a +3 modifier averages 8.5 instead of 5.5.
This avoids the mistake of: Forgetting a flat bonus that matters more on small heals.
Why it's bad: In the 2014 rules, if you cast a spell as a bonus action, the only other spell you can cast that turn is a cantrip with a casting time of 1 action. Healing Word plus Cure Wounds or Hold Person is not allowed.
Do this instead: Cast Healing Word and a cantrip, or Healing Word and a non-spell action.
Why it's bad: In 5e, hit points stop at 0. A creature at 0 that regains 5 hit points has 5 hit points.
Do this instead: Heal as soon as an ally drops. Waiting does not "dig a hole" deeper.
Why it's bad: The 2014 spell has no effect on undead or constructs. A construct ally gets nothing.
Do this instead: Check your table's rules. The 2024 version removes this limit.
Why it's bad: The target must be a creature you can see within 60 feet. A downed ally behind a wall is out of reach.
Do this instead: Move to a spot with line of sight first. You can move before or after casting.
The 2024 Player's Handbook keeps Healing Word as a 1st-level, bonus-action spell for Bards, Clerics, and Druids, with a 60-foot range and verbal component only. It is now an abjuration spell instead of evocation.
The healing doubles. It restores 2d4 + your spellcasting ability modifier, 8 on average with +3, and each slot level above 1st adds 2d4. The 2014 line that says it has no effect on undead or constructs is gone.
The bonus-action spell rule also changed. In the 2024 rules you can expend only one spell slot per turn. You still can't cast Healing Word and a leveled spell with a slot on the same turn, but you are no longer limited to a cantrip with a casting time of an action. Mass Healing Word, the 3rd-level version, now heals 2d4 + modifier for up to six creatures.
In the 2014 rules, it heals 1d4 plus your spellcasting ability modifier, 5.5 on average with +3, and 1d4 more per slot level above 1st. In the 2024 rules, it heals 2d4 plus your modifier, 8 on average with +3, and 2d4 more per slot level.
Yes. Any healing gets a creature at 0 hit points back up. It regains consciousness with the hit points healed, and its death saving throw successes and failures reset. It cannot bring back a creature that has died.
Yes, but only certain spells. In the 2014 rules, after casting Healing Word you can only cast a cantrip with a casting time of 1 action. In the 2024 rules, you can only expend one spell slot per turn, so the other spell can't use a slot.
Healing Word is usually better in combat because it is a bonus action at 60 feet. Cure Wounds heals more, 1d8 versus 1d4 in 2014 and 2d8 versus 2d4 in 2024, but it costs an action and a touch.
In the 2014 rules, no. The spell has no effect on undead or constructs. The 2024 version removed that restriction.
Yes. The target must be a creature you can see within 60 feet. If you can't see a downed ally, move first or use a different option.
Yes. It is one of the most useful 1st-level spells for any healer. The healing is small, but getting a downed ally up as a bonus action from 60 feet keeps them in the fight and costs you very little.
Yes, if you are conscious. It targets a creature you can see within range, and you can choose yourself. A creature at 0 hit points is unconscious and can't cast it.
Citations: SRD 5.1 (2014 rules), SRD 5.2.1 (2024 rules)
Includes material from the System Reference Document 5.1 and 5.2.1 by Wizards of the Coast LLC, licensed under CC BY 4.0.
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