This is a list of the characters in the order in which they first appear in The Hobbit with both their first mention and their actual appearance and their speaking lines for those with a small number of lines, excluding group lines.

Forward Notes: The Narrator, Thorin Oakenshield, Thror, Thrain, Elrond

Chapter 1 An Unexpected Party: Bilbo Baggins, Belladonna Took, The Old Took, Bungo Baggins, Gandalf, Dwalin, Balin, Fili, Kili, Dori, Nori, Ori, Oin, Gloin, Bifur, Bofur, Bombur, Thorin

Characters Alphabetically

Balin - the second Dwarve to appear, brother of Dwalin, with a white beard and scarlet hood. Plays a viol.

Chapter 1:
- "I see they have begun to arrive already," "Balin at your service!".
- "A little beer would suit me better, if it is all the same to you, my good sir," "But I don't mind some cake -- seed-cake, if you have any."

Belladonna Took - the mother of Bilbo Baggins.

Bifur - the tenth Dwarve to appear, with a yellow hood. Plays a clarinet.

Chapter 1:
- "At your service!"
- "And raspberry jam and apple-tart"

Bofur - the eleventh Dwarve to appear, with a yellow hood. Plays a clarinet.

Chapter 1:
- "At your service!"
- "And mince-pies and cheese"

Bilbo Baggins - introduced in Chapter 1 simply as Baggins. Bilbo is the first character to appear in The Hobbit and makes his appearance at the time he meets Gandalf. Bilbo is an everyman or rather an everyhobbit, living a comfortable life, hustled into an adventure he did not seek out.

Bombur - the twelveth Dwarve to appear, with a pale green hood. Plays a drum.

Chapter 1:
- "At your service!"
- "And pork-pie and salad"

Bungo Baggins - Bilbo's father and husband of Belladonna Took.

Dori - the fifth Dwarve to appear, with a gold or silver belt and a purple hood. Plays a flute.

Chapter 1:
- "Dori at your service!"

Dwalin - the first Dwarve to appear, with a blue beard, golden belt, bright eyes and dark-green hood. Plays a viol.

Chapter 1:
- "Dwalin at your service!"

Elrond - is mentioned in the forward notes having read the moon-runes.

Fili - the third Dwarve to appear along with Kili, with a yellow beard, silver belt and blue hood. Plays a little fiddle.

Chapter 1:
- "And Fili!"
- "Some four, I should say by the sound," "Besides, we saw them coming along behind us in the distance."

Gandalf - The Grey, is a wizard and is the first character to make an appearance after Bilbo. Gandalf had a long white beard, wore a tall pointed blue hat, long grey cloak, silver scarf and immense black boots. He also carried a staff.

Gloin - the ninth Dwarve to appear, with a gold or silver belt and a white hood.

Chapter 1:
- "Gloin at your service!"

Kili - the fourth Dwarve to appear along with Fili, with a yellow beard, silver belt and blue hood. Plays a little fiddle.

Chapter 1:
- "Kili at your service!"
- "Dwalin and Balin here already, I see," "Let us join the throng!"

Nori - the sixth Dwarve to appear, with a gold or silver belt and a purple hood. Plays a flute.

Chapter 1:
- "Nori at your service!"

Oin - the eighth Dwarve to appear, with a gold or silver belt and a brown hood. Plays a flute.

Chapter 1:
- "Oin at your service!"

Ori - the seventh Dwarve to appear, with a gold or silver belt and a grey hood.

Chapter 1:
- "Ori at your service!"

The Narrator - Shall we say the Narrator is J.R.R. Tolkien? Whoever the Narrator is, he is a strong character, at least for the first part of the book.

The Old Took - Bilbo's grandfather on his mother's side.

Thorin Oakenshield - Thorin is the first character mentioned, in the forward notes in the discussion on ruins, noting that Thorin's people are called Dwarves. By the way, I also own the domain name Dwarve.com. Thorin is the thirteenth Dwarve to appear, with a sky-blue hood sporting a long silver tassel. Plays a golden harp wrapped in a green cloth.

Chapter 1:
- "Pray don't mention it"
- "And for me"
- Of course!" "And after. We shan't get through the business till late, and we must have some music first. Now to clear up!"
- "Now for some music!" "Bring out the instruments!"
- "Where are you going?"
- "Gandalf, dwarves and Mr. Baggins! We are met together in the house of our friend and fellow conspirator, this most excellent and audacious hobbit -- may the hair on his toes never fall out!"

Thrain - Thorin's father is mentioned in the forward notes as his initials are on the Map.

Thror - Thorin's grandfather is also mentioned in the forward notes, as the owner of the Map.