Are Cantrips Spells?

[ATHATH]

More importantly: Can you cast Counterspell on them?

[NNescio]

More importantly: Can you cast Counterspell on them?

Yes and yes.

[RickAllison]

Yup, they are 0th level spells. They are why we have so many abilities stating "spells of 1st level or higher".

[ATHATH]

Is there a specific rules quote that you can give?

[BurgerBeast]

Is there a specific rules quote that you can give?

They are clearly listed on each class' spell list in the PHB. So not only do cantrips appear on the "Spell Lists," but the heading explicitly says Cantrips (0 Level).

[NNescio]

They are clearly listed on each class' spell list in the PHB. So not only do cantrips appear on the "Spell Lists," but the heading explicitly says Cantrips (0 Level).

To add to that, Chapter 10: Spellcasting explicitly defines cantrips as spells under the Cantrips subheading:


A cantrip is a spell that can be cast at will, without using a spell slot and without being prepared in advance. Repeated practice has fixed the spell in the caster's mind and infused the caster with the magic needed to produce the effect over and over. A cantrip's spell level is 0.

And, as mentioned by BurgerBeast, the cantrips also appear in list form for each class under Chapter 11: Spells (and are also clarified once more to be 0-level spells there).

The EE, SCAG, and UA cantrips also appear under similar headings (Spells).

[TundraBuccaneer]

A cantrip is a spell that can be cast at will, without using a spell slot and without being prepared in advance.
Repeated practice has fixed the spell in the caster’s mind and infused the caster with the magic needed to produce the effect over and over.
A cantrip’s spell level is 0.

From the PHB chapter 10 first page of the chapter.

[ATHATH]

Ah. Thank you.