Conversion table
| Coin | = Copper | = Silver | = Gold | = Platinum |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 copper (cp) | 1 | 0.1 | 0.01 | 0.001 |
| 1 silver (sp) | 10 | 1 | 0.1 | 0.01 |
| 1 electrum (ep) | 50 | 5 | 0.5 | 0.05 |
| 1 gold (gp) | 100 | 10 | 1 | 0.1 |
| 1 platinum (pp) | 1,000 | 100 | 10 | 1 |
The two numbers worth memorizing
Everything follows from factors of ten:
- 10 of a smaller coin = 1 of the next coin up (cp to sp to gp to pp).
- 1 gold = 100 copper, the most common cross-conversion at the table.
Electrum is the exception to the clean base-10 pattern, since 1 ep = 5 sp = ½ gp. Because it doesn’t line up neatly, many groups leave it out entirely.
Making change without the math
The friction in play isn’t the exchange rate. It’s making change. Paying 5 gp when you only have platinum and copper means breaking a coin down through the denominations. Trackers that automate this (Adventure Codex breaks a platinum into gold, gold into silver, and so on, only as far down as needed) let a purchase just resolve, so you spend game time adventuring instead of counting coins.
Frequently asked questions
How many copper pieces are in a gold piece?
- Since 10 copper = 1 silver and 10 silver = 1 gold, one gold piece equals 100 copper pieces.
What is the highest denomination in D&D 5e?
Platinum (pp) is the standard highest coin, worth 10 gold. Electrum (ep) also exists but sits awkwardly between silver and gold, and many tables ignore it.
How much does a platinum piece cost in gold?
1 platinum piece is worth 10 gold pieces, or 1,000 copper pieces.