Unoccupied Space

A space is unoccupied when no creature is in it. By default, a single 5 × 5 ft square is the unit of space on a battle map; larger creatures occupy multiple squares (see Occupied Space for the size table).

Why unoccupied space matters:

• A creature moves into unoccupied spaces; it cannot end its turn in an occupied space
• Teleportation typically requires an unoccupied destination — see Teleportation
• Summoned creatures and conjurations appear in unoccupied spaces within range; spells often specify "an unoccupied space you can see"
• A shove can push a creature into an unoccupied space; you cannot shove a creature into a wall or another creature
• Standing up from prone requires sufficient unoccupied space; squeezing is required if the space is half your size

What occupies a space:

• A creature occupies its space for the size table's duration (see Occupied Space)
• An object typically does not "occupy" the space in the rules-mechanical sense — a square with a small object is still "unoccupied" for movement purposes if the creature can step around or over the object. Large objects (a wagon, a pile of stones, a wall) effectively block the space and treat it as occupied or impassable.
• Hazards (fire, acid, web) do not make a space occupied — they make it dangerous. A creature can enter, but suffers the hazard's effect.

Edge cases:

• An invisible creature still occupies its space — the space is occupied even if the location is unknown to others
• An incorporeal creature (some ghosts, certain spell effects) may share space with other creatures; the rule depends on the creature's specific text
• A swarm is a single creature that occupies a defined space and can share space with other creatures (it flows around them)