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The Wizarding World of Harry Potter casts a spell of wonder on both new and longtime fans, enthralling them and making them yearn for the home that Hogwarts has become. The movies do a great job adapting J.K. Rowling’s books, bringing this tale of magic into everyone’s homes. And it is the wizards and witches populating the Wizarding World who cast a diverse range of spells, some more powerful than others.
Falling into several different categories — including, but not limited to, charms, jinxes, hexes, and curses — spells can become incredible weapons in the hands of skilled wizards. Many are dark in nature and most often used by villains, whereas others are deceptively simple in both usage and outcome. With the release of the Fantastic Beasts series and the Secrets of Dumbledore (2022), even more spells were introduced, some more remarkable than their predecessors.
Updated on April 14, 2025, by Andrea Sandoval: The Harry Potter series includes hundreds of diverse spells, but not all of them are powerful. Wizards use magic for everything, like cooking, cleaning, and crafting. However, magic is also important in dueling, and some spells are known for their outstanding might. Even spells people would not consider useful in battle could save a wizard’s skin.. We updated this article with even more of the strongest spells in Harry Potter.
40 Accio Is More Powerful Than People Think
Also Known As: The Summoning Charm
Accio might seem like a simple spell, but it’s actually useful and powerful. In fact, Harry managed to overcome the first task of the Triwizard Tournament thanks to Accio. This is a spell that allows the wizard to invoke any object, which is going to fly directly to their hands. Harry, for example, used it to invoke his broom during the task and retrieve the dragon egg. More importantly, Harry used it in the cemetery to summon the Portkey and escape Lord Voldemort.
Most wizards use Accio in pretty quotidian environments, summoning butterbeer, a book, or any object without getting up. However, at certain moments, it can save a wizard’s life or be used to retrieve an important otherwise unreachable object. Having most items in the palm of your hand in seconds is a great asset in everyday life, but also in battle. Harry, for example, used Accio often to get his glasses, which he needed to be able to see.
39 Alohomora Can Open Most Doors
Also Known As: The Unlocking Charm
One of the most basic spells in the Wizarding World, so much so that Hermione could use it in her first years at Hogwarts, Alohomora is outstandingly useful. With Alohomora, wizards and witches can open any lock (as long as it’s not protected by magic), which might get more than one person out of a pickle.
During his adventures, Harry and his friends use the Unlocking Charm a lot. Hermione uses it in her first year to open a door in the castle and escape Mr. Filch and again in the third year to free Sirius Black from Filius Flitwick’s office. Of course, Alohomora is useless in battle, but it’s important to be able to escape or rescue friends as well as to fight enemies.
38 Tarantallegra Can Be Used To Force Anything or Anyone with Legs To Dance
Also Known As: The Dancing Feet Spell
As its name suggests, Tallatallegra provokes uncontrollable leg movements in the person it hits. It’s usually a harmless spell meant to be used as a prank. However, it works pretty well during duels because the person will struggle to stand. It’s probably useful to stop a wizard from escaping, for example, as they won’t be able to run away.
Tarantallegra can also be used on inanimate objects, so wizards can make a chair dance. However, under particular circumstances, Tarantallegra has caused great amounts of damage. Zaccaria Innocenti used this spell on Mount Vesuvius and caused the eruption that killed thousands of people. However, it is mostly not that problematic if wizards are careful. Dumbledore used it once to make the suits of armor dance.
37 Rictusempra Provokes Uncontrollable Laughter, But It's Not Funny
Also Known As: The Tickling Charm
Rictusempra is a low-level defense charm, usually taught to wizard studies so they can defend themselves. It provokes uncontrollable laughter in the target, and even though that sounds soft, it’s everything but. If a wizard is laughing all the time, they can’t summon spells, making it a very effective way to take someone out of the battle.
What’s more, Rictusempra could be a pretty nasty way of torture. Crucio might generate incredible pain, but laughing for hours might be as terrifying. Considering that Crucio is illegal and Rictusempra isn’t, who knows what kind of horrible things dark wizards have managed with this spell.
36 Morsmordre Has the Power To Cause Horror
Lord Voldemort Himself Created Morsmordre
Theoretically speaking, Morsmordre is a useless spell that creates a gigantic image in the sky of Lord Voldemort’s symbol, the Dark Mark. While a moving skull with a snake is terrifying, it actually can’t hurt anyone. However, the power of Morsmordre comes from the fear it inspires in the population.
Throughout Voldemort’s reign of darkness, his Death Eaters would invoke the Dark Mark at locations where they murdered an innocent person. When Harry goes to the Quidditch Tournament, Barty Crouch Jr. invokes the mark, causing great panic and harm to all wizards camping outside the stadium. Even now that Voldemort is dead, it’s likely that seeing the Dark Mark in the sky would create chaos and fear.
35 Locomotor Mortis Has a Few Important Defense Uses
Also Known As: The Leg-Locker Curse
The Leg-Locker Curse, known by its incantation Locomotor Mortis, keeps the target from being able to move as their legs are bound together. It is a semi-advanced spell that Hogwarts students usually learn in their fifth year, but Draco, Hermione, and Ron already knew how to use it in their first year. It was first seen cast on poor Neville Longbottom during the dueling sessions «moderated» by Gilderoy Lockhart.
Locomotor Mortis is great for keeping other wizards from following, but not from attacking, as their hands are still free. While this spell could buy a couple of very much-needed seconds, it has the disadvantage that it has a well-known counter-curse. In fact, Hermione used it to free Neville when Draco attacked him with Locomotor Mortis. All things considered, however, every other spell on this list is stronger than the Leg-Locker Curse.
34 Diffindo Creates a Deep Cut Through Its Target
Also Known As: The Severing Charm
Diffindo, or the Severing Charm, is a spell that’s usually used for cutting any object. However, much like a knife, Diffindo can also be used to slice through a person. Hogwarts teachers warn students to move their wand carefully while using this spell to not end up with an injury. However, in Hogwarts Legacy, the Severing Charm is one of the most powerful spells to use against any evil creature or wizard.
Diffindo is a simple spell that Hogwarts students learn from a very young age and that might aid several inexperienced wizards during a duel. It’s not conventionally used in battle in books, such as spells like Stupefy, Expelliarmus, or the Unforgivable Curses, but it’s still a good attack, and Hogwarts Legacy proves it. The Severing Charm is also pretty useful in getting out of difficult situations when cutting ropes or any binding object.
33 Impedimenta Can Reduce the Moving Velocity of a Target
Also Known As: The Impediment Jinx
The Impediment Jinx was one of the most popular dueling spells, largely because it had no lasting impact on the target. As the word suggests, casting Impedimenta creates an imaginary wall or force that either slows the target down or prevents it from moving altogether. Even the Hogwarts Dueling Club taught its members the use of this spell, so it can be assumed that any magically educated witch or wizard would be capable of casting the Impediment Jinx.
Hermione was the one who taught Harry the Impediment Jinx for the Triwizard Tournament, but he later went on to teach the spell to Dumbledore’s Army. Impedimenta was also used by James Potter against Snape during the flashback bullying session Harry saw in Snape’s memories. This spell is excellent for casual dueling sessions, but it’s not really that useful in a magical battle with real stakes.
32 Depulso Is Versatile but Doesn't Cause Much Harm
Also Known As: The Banishing Charm
Depulso is considered the opposite enchantment of Accio, the Summoning Charm. While Accio allows wizards to summon an object, Depulso pushes or «banishes» an object or a person away from the caster. The charm can be used in a duel to push the opponent away, make them fall, and buy the dueler time without seriously harming the other person.
Despite being such a great spell for dueling, it’s rarely seen in battle during the Harry Potter series. The characters learn it in their fourth year at Hogwarts and Neville accidentally sends Professor Flitwick flying across the room. However, Severus Snape does use it against Dolores Umbridge in an alternate reality in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. What’s more, the spell is one of the most important ones in some Harry Potter video games, like Hogwarts Legacy.
31 Levicorpus Dangles the Opponent Upside Down
Also Known As: The Dangling Jinx
The Dangling Jinx is a spell created by Severus Snape during his Hogwarts years. Harry finds him in Snape’s old Potions schoolbooks and decides to try it. The incantation is Levicorpus, although the spell was created for non-verbal uses of magic. It has a simple counter-spell, Liberacorpus, although not many people probably know about it.
The spell keeps the target dangling by one of their feet in the air. While it doesn’t seem like a big deal, it’s a powerful tool in battle that hinders the opponent’s possibility to attack and go after the caster. Funny enough, Hermione also used it once to levitate Harry in Gringotts so he could reach the Hufflepuff’s Cup Horcrux, so it has many possible uses. Even Lord Voldemort used Levicorpus against Gregorovitch the Wand-Maker.
30 The Conjunctivitis Curse Works Well on Creatures Like Dragons
Notable Casters: Viktor Krum & Olympe Maxime
While its incantation is unknown, the Conjunctivitis Curse is a powerful spell that does exactly what it says, afflicting the target with the infamous Pink Eye illness. This would cause inflammation, tearing, and itching, all of which would make it extremely difficult for the opponent to react in a duel. While there are more powerful legal spells, including Stupefy, Expecto Patronum, and Bombarda Maxima, the Conjunctivitis Curse is a simple one that can go a long way in battle.
Additionally, it works well with dragons because, while their body resists the effects of most spells, their eyes are vulnerable. In fact, Sirius suggested using the Conjunctivitis Curse for Harry’s first Triwizard Task, a tactic he didn’t employ. That said, Viktor Krum cast it to temporarily blind the Chinese Fireball dragon, allowing him to secure the Golden Egg. Given that most talented wizards can probably avoid or neutralize this spell, the Conjunctivitis Curse ranks at #30 on this list.
29 Reducto Turns Objects into Particles of Dust
Also Known As: The Reductor Curse
Textbook author Miranda Goshawk described the Reductor Curse as powerful, stating that «great care must be exercised when learning and practicing this spell.» Reducto is generally safe to use though, as Goshawk only makes allusions to the «classroom ceiling crashing down» when miscast. This spell essentially reduces the target to its components, a fancier way of saying that it exploded anything into «a fine mist.»
It is currently unknown if any humans have been struck by the Reductor Curse, although it can be assumed that the results won’t be pleasant. Reducto is cast multiple times by multiple DA members during the Battle of the Department of Mysteries, to great effect. Unfortunately, the glass ball containing Sybill Trelawney’s original prophecy was also destroyed when the Reductor Curse shattered the shelf bearing it.
28 Confringo Is Extremely Powerful but Too Unpredictable
Also Known As: The Blasting Curse
Invented around 1430, the oldest record the Wizarding World has of the Blasting Spell was its use by Alberta Toothill in a dueling competition around this time. Confringo is a powerful spell, as it literally explodes the target, but it’s also quite unpredictable, so it isn’t the most practical one in battle. When Hermione uses Confringo to attack Voldemort’s pet snake Nagini in Godric’s Hollow, the spell bounces back at her and Harry, almost burning Harry’s hand.
A spell for a duel should be more controllable so witches and wizards don’t end up hurting themselves. Still, Confringo is a solid option to blow things up, like when Harry used it during the Battle of the Seven Potters. Albus Potter and Scorpius Malfoy also briefly considered Confringo as an option against the stolen Time-Turner in The Cursed Child, suggesting that it might even work on enchanted objects.
27 The Caterwauling Charm Is One of the Best Precautions
Notable Caster: Unnamed Death Eater
Offensive and defensive spells aren’t the only valuable pieces of magic in a battle, especially a prolonged one like the Second Wizarding War. Precautionary measures like the Fidelius Charm are also critical to prevent the enemy from making all their moves at once. This particular precautionary spell, however, was used by the Death Eaters in Hogsmeade. Known as the Caterwauling Charm, this spell was cast over a specific area within which any enemy movements would be instantly recognized.
When Harry, Ron, and Hermione appeared at Hogsmeade, the Caterwauling Charm set off an extremely loud screech, an alarm that instantly drew waiting Death Eaters to their location. All things considered, however, the reason the Caterwauling Charm is even mentioned on this list is that it can identify human presence even through the Invisibility Cloak, one of the most powerful enchanted objects in Harry Potter.
26 Petrificus Totalus Is Easy to Learn and Extremely Useful
Also Known As: The Full Body-Bind Curse
Petrificus Totalus isn’t often seen as a powerful spell, but the Full Body-Bind Curse is easy to learn and perfect for a defensive strategy. Hermione used it to paralyze Neville Longbottom when she was only 12 years old, which means almost anyone can learn the Full Body-Bind Curse. However, it’s pretty efficient, neutralizing the opponent long enough for the duelist to escape or do something else.
Not all powerful spells cause great damage. In fact, the Full Body-Bind Curse is perfect to use when the wizard doesn’t want to hurt their opponent; simply stop or incapacitate them. Learning from his experience, Neville successfully used Petrificus Totalus against the Death Eaters at the Department of Mysteries. The Full-Body Bind Curse was the last spell performed by Albus Dumbledore, whose effects managed to save Harry at the top of the Astronomy Tower.
25 Bombarda Maxima Creates a Devastating Blast
Also Known As: The Exploding Charm (Strongest Version)
Bombarda Maxima is the perfect spell to break down walls or reinforced doors, although the basic version in the novels is simply known as Bombarda, or the Exploding Spell. Dolores Umbridge uses it to destroy the magical door protecting the Room of Requirement, one of the most magical rooms in Hogwarts. Bombarda is already a powerful spell, but Bombarda Maxima takes it to the next level.
Bombarda Maxima is considered such a powerful spell that it is only taught to students in their seventh year at Hogwarts. In Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Olivia Green teaches it to her seventh-year Defense Against the Dark Arts class. While Bombarda Maxima is great for destroying objects, it’s hard to imagine what it would do to a person, so using it in a duel is out of the question. Given its many limitations, the strongest variant of the Exploding Charm ranks #25 on this list.
24 The Disillusionment Charm Needs a Powerful Hand to Cast It
Notable Caster: Albus Dumbledore
Harry’s internal monologue described the effects of the Disillusionment Charm as different from true invisibility, as his body «had simply taken on the exact color and texture» of his background, making him «a human chameleon». It’s safe to say that an ordinary Disillusionment Charm wouldn’t work for long, especially with superior alternatives like the Invisibility Cloak. On the other hand, the strongest magic users could achieve true invisibility with this spell.
For instance, Dumbledore’s Disillusionment Charm was so powerful that he might as well have been wearing Harry’s Invisibility Cloak. Similarly, Voldemort also cast the spell while stealing the Elder Wand from Dumbledore’s grave in the books. The Disillusionment Charm has significant benefits in battle: fans can easily imagine trying to duel someone who can turn themselves invisible.
23 Confundo Can Be a Weapon in the Right Hands
Also Known As: The Confundus Charm
The Confundus Charm is a great way to get around people without necessarily hurting them. Yes, the Killing Curse is more powerful, but there are situations where wizards and witches would like to go unnoticed. Confundo is the perfect solution for these situations — much like when Hermione used it on Cormac McLaggen so Ron would make the Quidditch team.
As its name suggests, Confundo confuses the target, although the level of confusion varies. A light Confundus Charm will only slightly confuse the opponent, but a powerful one, such as the one Severus Snape used on Mundungus Fletcher, can even alter some of the person’s memories. It was also suggested that Barty Crouch Junior cast Confundo on the Goblet of Fire, deceiving it into accepting Harry’s admission into the Triwizard Tournament.
22 Stupefy Is Simple, Effective, and Universally Popular
Also Known As: The Stunning Spell
Stupefy is one of the most commonly employed offensive spells in the Wizarding World. Harry even explains that Stupefy is «sort of a wizard’s bread and butter.» This spell effectively knocks its target unconscious without leaving any serious injuries, except those that may have been caused by the target keeling over. The Stunning Spell doesn’t really work on magically enhanced creatures, like giants, trolls, and dragons, but humans are particularly susceptible.
Stupefy’s effects can be easily countered by Rennervate or the Reviving Spell, which reverts the target’s consciousness state. It can also be blocked by a carefully timed Shield Charm. Harry’s decision to teach the Stunning Spell to Dumbledore’s Army came in handy during the Battle of the Department of Mysteries, where it was cast dozens of times by all parties.
21 Expelliarmus Can Make Wands Change Allegiances
Also Known As: The Disarming Charm
Expelliarmus isn’t an incredibly dangerous spell in itself. The Disarming Charm is very popular in dueling and is Harry Potter’s trademark spell precisely because it doesn’t cause any damage to the opponent. It simply disarms them, nullifying the threat. This method isn’t always practical, and when a war is going on, something more permanent is often necessary. Only people who are very talented at wandless magic are completely immune to this effect.
There is one thing that makes the Disarming Charm surprisingly powerful. It can make wands change allegiances. This means that even if the enemy wizard gets their wand back, they will have trouble fighting, as shown when Draco Malfoy disarms Dumbledore and earns the allegiance of the Elder Wand. Harry later exploited this against Voldemort, allowing him to defeat one of the most powerful wizards in history.
