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The 2014 Player's Handbook (p. 192) includes a rule for Squeezing into a Smaller Space:

A creature can squeeze through a space that is large enough for a creature one size smaller than it. Thus, a Large creature can squeeze through a passage that's only 5 feet wide. While squeezing through a space, a creature must spend 1 extra foot for every foot it moves there, and it has disadvantage on attack rolls and Dexterity saving throws. Attack rolls against the creature have advantage while it's in the smaller space.

This rule isn't in the 2024 PHB or DMG. Is it possible to squeeze under the 2024 rules?

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Yes, per the 2024 rules on Difficult Terrain

It's true that the quoted rule isn't in the 2024 PHB, but according to the sidebar "What's new in the 2024 Version?", on p. 5:

If you can't find a rule, check the index. If a rule's name has changed from what was printed in the 2014 Player's Handbook, the index points you to the new name. For example, if you look up Inspiration in the index, it points you to the rules for Heroic Inspiration in the rules glossary.

And we can still find the term squeezing in the index on p. 383:

squeezing. See Difficult Terrain, 24, 366

The rules

Difficult Terrain on p. 24 states:

Combatants are often slowed down by Difficult Terrain. Low furniture, rubble, undergrowth, steep stairs, snow, and shallow bogs are examples of Difficult Terrain.

Every foot of movement in Difficult Terrain costs 1 extra foot, even if multiple things in a space count as Difficult Terrain.

And in the Rules Glossary, Difficult Terrain on p. 366 states (emphasis mine):

If a space is Difficult Terrain, every foot of movement in that space costs 1 extra foot. For example, moving 5 feet through Difficult Terrain costs 10 feet of movement. Difficult Terrain isn’t cumulative; either a space is Difficult Terrain or it isn’t.

A space is Difficult Terrain if the space contains any of the following or something similar:

  • A creature that isn’t Tiny or your ally
  • Furniture that is sized for creatures of your size or larger
  • Heavy snow, ice, rubble, or undergrowth
  • Liquid that’s between shin- and waist-deep
  • A narrow opening sized for a creature one size smaller than you
  • A slope of 20 degrees or more

Conclusion

The emphasized sentence, "A narrow opening sized for a creature one size smaller than you", along with the Difficult Terrain rules, represents the 2024 equivalent of the 2014 text.

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  • \$\begingroup\$ Is the issue with small creatures needing the same 5×5 space, so taking things literally medium creatures wouldn't be allowed to squeeze still present? \$\endgroup\$ Commented May 15 at 23:51
  • \$\begingroup\$ @Mołot I guess so, literally. But from Creature Size: "a creature’s space is the area that it effectively controls in combat and the area it needs to fight effectively". I'd allow a Medium creature to squeeze through a Small opening. \$\endgroup\$ Commented May 16 at 15:29
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    \$\begingroup\$ A Small opening and a Medium opening are the same size. \$\endgroup\$ Commented May 16 at 21:48

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