Free OC Template: Copy-and-Paste Character Sheet (Basic & Detailed)

Quick answer: A good OC template covers name, age, appearance, personality (with flaws), backstory, goals, relationships, and likes/dislikes. Fandom OCs add world, role, and style notes. Copy the basic or detailed template below into Google Docs or Notion and fill it in.

A character sheet turns a vague idea into a character you can draw, write, roleplay, and remember. Below you’ll find a basic OC template for quick characters, a detailed template for your main OCs, and a fandom OC add-on for characters designed to fit a world you love. There’s also a filled-in example. Everything is free to copy and paste.

Table of Contents

Basic OC template (copy and paste) #

Use this when you want to get a character down fast.

OC NAME:
Nickname(s):
Age / age range:
Pronouns:
Species / type:
Role or job:

LOOK (3 details people notice first):
1.
2.
3.
Main colors:

PERSONALITY (3–5 traits):
Flaw:

BACKSTORY (2–3 sentences):

WANTS RIGHT NOW:

RELATIONSHIPS:
- Friend:
- Rival:

LIKES:
DISLIKES:

Detailed OC template (copy and paste) #

For your main characters, the ones you’ll draw again and again, use the detailed version.

=== BASICS ===
Full name:
Nicknames (and who uses them):
Age / birthday:
Pronouns:
Species / type:
Hometown / origin:
Current home:
Occupation / role:

=== APPEARANCE ===
Height / build:
Silhouette notes (what makes them recognizable from an outline):
Hair / fur / features:
Eye color:
Palette (2–3 main colors + 1 accent):
Signature outfit:
Distinguishing marks / accessories:

=== PERSONALITY ===
Core traits (3–5):
Biggest flaw:
Contradiction (two traits that clash):
Fears:
What makes them laugh:
What makes them angry:
Habits / tics:

=== VOICE ===
Speech style (formal, casual, rambling, blunt…):
Catchphrase(s):
3 sample lines in their voice:
1.
2.
3.

=== HISTORY ===
Backstory (keep it to a paragraph):
Turning point that shaped them:
Secret they keep:

=== GOALS ===
Wants (now):
Needs (what they actually need to grow):
Long-term dream:

=== RELATIONSHIPS ===
Family:
Best friend:
Rival / foil:
Crush / important bond (optional):
Someone they've wronged:

=== EXTRAS ===
Favorite food:
Hobbies:
Theme song / playlist:
Fun fact:

Fandom OC add-on #

If your OC is designed to fit a fandom’s world, add this section to either template:

=== FANDOM FIT ===
World / setting inspiration:
Where they fit (faction, team, location, job in that world):
World rules they follow (powers, tech, magic limits):
Style notes (shape language, line style, palette borrowed from the setting's vibe):
How they're different from canon characters:
Original elements (what's 100% yours):

Important: keep your fan OC sheet original. Use your own art or original maker-tool assets, not screenshots, official sprites, or promotional art. Don’t recolor or rename a canon character and call them your OC.

Filled-in example: Juniper Vale #

Here’s the detailed template partly filled in with an invented character:

Full name: Juniper Vale (“Juni” to friends, “Miss Vale” to people she’s annoyed with)
Occupation: traveling mapmaker
Silhouette: tiny frame, enormous backpack covered in rolled maps
Palette: forest green, parchment cream, rust orange, plus a brass accent (her broken compass)
Core traits: curious, fast-talking, proud, generous with snacks
Biggest flaw: refuses to ask for directions, ever
Contradiction: maps the whole world but has never mapped her hometown
Sample lines: “Technically, I’m not lost. I’m exploring with confidence.” / “Everyone gets a snack. That’s the rule.” / “Don’t touch that map. It’s emotionally significant.”
Secret: she left home after a fight with her sister and hasn’t written back
Wants: to find a legendary island no map has shown. Needs: to go home and apologize
Rival: Oren, a lighthouse keeper who insists her maps are “creatively accurate”

Notice how short each answer is. A sheet should be easy to scan, not a novel.

Using your template in Google Docs or Notion #

Google Docs: paste the template, then use Format → Paragraph styles to make section headings, so the outline sidebar lets you jump between sections. Make a copy for each new OC.
Notion: paste the template into a new page and turn section headings into toggles. Use a database with a property for each OC (name, fandom, status) to keep your whole cast organized.
Phone notes: the basic template fits nicely in a notes app for on-the-go ideas.

Need a starting idea? Roll one in the OC ideas generator. Want to understand each field better? Read How to Make an OC.

From sheet to living character #

A finished sheet is perfect for drawing references and writing. It also does something else: it gives a character enough personality to come alive. Want your OC to act like themselves? Our guide on how to write an AI character explains how traits, voice, and boundaries shape the way a character behaves.

In Redbean, you can turn your sheet into an original character who lives in a cozy pixel world, talking in their own voice and meeting your other OCs. For Genshin-style OCs, see our Genshin Impact character maker guide, or browse every fandom in the OC Maker hub.

FAQ #

What should an OC template include? #

At minimum: name, age, look, personality with a flaw, short backstory, current goal, and relationships. Detailed templates add voice, fears, secrets, and extras.

Is there a copy-and-paste OC template? #

Yes. Both templates on this page are plain text you can copy straight into Google Docs, Notion, or a notes app.

How do I make an OC sheet in Google Docs? #

Paste a template into a new doc, style the section names as headings, and make a copy for each new character.

What is a reference sheet? #

A reference sheet (ref sheet) is a visual guide to your OC: usually front and back views, a color palette, and close-ups of important details. It pairs well with a written character sheet like these templates.

Fan-made guide. Redbean is not affiliated with or endorsed by the owners of any games, shows, or franchises mentioned. All names and trademarks belong to their respective owners. Example characters on this page are original and were invented for this guide.

Make your own original character #

Your OC starts in your head, and Redbean gives them somewhere to live. Create an original character, drop them into a calm pixel world, and watch them talk in their own voice, wander the town, and meet the other characters you make.

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