1. What is the Lightning Distance Calculation?

This calculation estimates how far away a lightning strike occurred based on the time between seeing the lightning and hearing the thunder. In D&D 5e, this is commonly approximated as 300 feet per 5 seconds.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the D&D 5e approximation formula:

Where:

• \( Seconds \) — Time between lightning and thunder
• 5 — Standard interval in seconds
• 300 — Feet traveled per interval in D&D 5e

Explanation: This provides a quick approximation for determining how far away a lightning strike occurred in the game world.

3. Importance of Distance Calculation

Details: Knowing the distance of a lightning strike can help determine if characters are within range of effects, how long it will take to reach the location, or if they might be in danger from a storm.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the time in seconds between seeing lightning and hearing thunder. The value must be greater than 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why use 300 feet per 5 seconds?
A: This is the standard approximation used in D&D 5e for simplicity, though in reality sound travels about 1,125 feet per second.

Q2: How accurate is this in real life?
A: Not very - this is a game simplification. Real-world calculation would use about 1,125 ft/sec for sound.

Q3: Can this be used for other loud noises?
A: Yes, the same approximation could be used for estimating distances of explosions or other loud events in-game.

Q4: What if the time is less than 5 seconds?
A: The formula still works - for example, 1 second would give 60 feet (1/5 × 300).

Q5: Does this account for elevation differences?
A: No, this is a simple flat-distance approximation as commonly used in D&D 5e.