A Detailed Guide to Minecraft Enchantments for Beginners

Your sword doesn’t need to feel weak, your armor doesn’t have to break every few fights, and mining shouldn’t feel like a chore. With the right upgrades, Minecraft gets a whole lot easier (and more fun).

This enchantment guide for Minecraft will show you how to turn ordinary gear into powerful, long-lasting tools that actually give you the upper hand.

What are enchantments in Minecraft?

Minecraft enchantments are magical upgrades you can attach to your armor, tools, weapons, or even books to make them way more effective. Once enchanted, your gear gets a sparkly shimmer, and suddenly, you’ve got perks like extra durability, stronger attacks, or quirky powers.

For example, using a plain sword on a zombie barely does any damage and feels useless. Minecraft enchantments turn that weak, plain sword into a sharp, useful weapon.

Let’s take a look at what this effectiveness looks like:

Increased efficiency: With Efficiency, you’ll mine blocks like you’ve had way too much coffee, saving time and effort.

Improved combat effectiveness: Sharpness or Smite makes your sword way scarier, while Protection or Feather Falling keep your armor from making you a walking target or a pancake after a fall.

Longevity: Unbreaking and Mending mean your gear lasts longer. Think of it as putting your items on a repair subscription plan powered by XP.

Special abilities: Fire Aspect sets mobs on fire (spicy), Respiration lets you stay underwater like a scuba pro, and Silk Touch lets you snag blocks whole.

Basic Requirements: Experience Points and Lapis Lazuli

Before you go enchanting everything in sight, there’s a small price to pay. It’s just two resources:

• Experience points (XP): Earned by mining, smelting, or slaying mobs. The more XP levels you’ve got, the stronger enchantments you can unlock.
• Lapis lazuli: The shiny blue mineral that fuels the magic. You’ll need it when using an enchantment table.

How to set up for enchanting in Minecraft

The right setup means your enchantments actually reach their full potential instead of fizzling out. Here’s how to get everything in place before you start upgrading your gear.

Crafting and placing an Enchantment table

In Minecraft, the enchantment table is basically the main tool you need for powering up your gear. Without it, you’re just swinging a glorified stick. With it, you’re unlocking fire swords and infinite underwater breathing like it’s no big deal.

How to make a Minecraft Enchantment table

Open your crafting menu and line up the goods in a 3×3 grid:

• 1 book goes in the top center slot.
• 2 diamonds slide into the middle row, left and right slots (yes, the shiny things you cried over while mining).
• 4 obsidian blocks: one in the center, and three across the bottom row (aka, the dark, hard-to-break stuff that makes you feel like a boss).

Here’s what it should look like:

Once you’ve put it together, plop that table somewhere easy to reach. If you ever need to move your enchantment table, make sure to use a pickaxe. If you break it with your hands, it won’t drop anything; you’ll just lose it completely.

How to use Bookshelves to maximize Enchantment levels

Without bookshelves, your table’s just average. With them, it’s suddenly handing out level 30 enchantments. Each bookshelf requires 3 books and 6 wooden planks (any flavor of wood works).

You need carefully placed 15 bookshelves to max things out. Here’s how:

• Bookshelves must sit exactly two blocks away horizontally from the table.
• They’ve got to be at the same height or one block higher than the table.
• Leave one block of air between the table and shelves. No torches, no walls, no Minecraft clutter. That space is sacred.
• You can opt for a neat single-layer wrapping of the table, or stack two layers high. Just make sure you hit the magic number: 15.
• If you’ve done it correctly, you’ll notice little glowing particles drifting from the bookshelves to the table.

For the full 15-bookcase setup, you’re looking at 45 books and 90 planks. Yep, it’s a grind, but the payoff is worth it.

Required Materials for Enchantment Table: Obsidian, Diamonds, and Books

• Obsidian (4 blocks): To get obsidian, you need to pour water over lava, and you’ll need a diamond pickaxe to actually mine it.
• Diamonds (2): Found deep underground, you’ll need two of them for your enchantment table.
• Book (1): Crafted from 3 pieces of paper and 1 piece of leather. Paper comes from sugar cane, which you’ll usually spot hanging out near water. Leather is a drop from cows or horses.

Once you’ve hoarded all these goodies and set them up, your enchantment table is ready to roll. From here, you can give your gear magical upgrades that make survival feel way less like “barely scraping by” and more like “main character energy.”

What are the different Enchanting methods in Minecraft?

The main ways to enchant items are with an enchantment table or by slapping an enchanted book onto gear with an anvil. Both get the job done. Let’s look at how each method works.

How do you enchant items with an Enchantment table?

Using the Enchantment table is how you do it without blowing anything up.

Build an enchantment table: Craft one with 4 obsidian blocks, 2 diamonds, and 1 book. It’s basically Minecraft’s VIP pass to cooler gear.

Set up bookshelves: Surround the table with up to 15 bookshelves, each one block away with air in between. Think of it as feng shui for enchantments—the placement actually boosts quality.

Gather experience levels and lapis lazuli: XP comes from mining, fighting mobs, and smelting stuff. Lapis is that shiny blue mineral you’ll find underground. You’ll need both to power the magic.

How to Enchant an item in Minecraft?

• Right-click the table.
• Drop the item you want in the slot.
• Add 1 to 3 pieces of lapis lazuli, depending on how strong you want the enchantment.
• You’ll see three random options, each with a minimum XP level.
• Pick your enchantment. The XP cost is usually less than the level shown.

How do you apply enchantments with an Anvil and Enchanted Books?

The enchantment table gives random results, so you never know what enchantment you’ll get. The anvil, on the other hand, is different and lets you choose what you want by combining items or using an enchanted book.

Here’s how it works:

• Place the item you want to enchant in the left slot.
• Drop an enchanted book or another enchanted item in the right slot.
• The anvil will fuse them together, giving you the exact enchantments you’re after.

Every use eats up experience levels, and the more you combine stuff, the pricier it gets. You can also rename items. Because sometimes “Diamond Sword” just doesn’t have the same ring as “Zombie Slicer 3000.”

How do you obtain Enchanted items and Books?

If crafting and enchanting feel like too much work, you can still score enchanted gear in a few sneaky ways. Here’s how:

• Trading with librarian villagers: These guys are the MVPs of enchanting. Trade with them, and you can buy enchanted books directly. It’s hands down the most reliable way to target exactly what you want.
• Fishing: Every so often, enchanted books pop up as treasure. It’s rare, but hey—nothing beats the thrill of catching a book instead of yet another salmon.
• Mob drops: Some mobs drop enchanted weapons or armor. But it’s completely random. You might get lucky, or you might just get another pair of useless golden boots.
• Loot chests in structures: Villages, strongholds, and other structures often hide enchanted books or gear in chests. It’s like opening a mystery box, except instead of a weird keychain, you might find Fire Aspect.

How do you remove and combine enchantments using Grindstones and Anvils?

Sometimes you add an enchantment to your gear and realize it was a mistake. Luckily, Minecraft gives you ways to fix it.

Grindstone:

• Removes all enchantments from an item, except the cursed ones (because curses love drama).
• Gives back a bit of experience when you strip enchantments.
• Can also combine two items to repair durability, but any enchantments vanish in the process.

Anvil:

• Lets you fuse enchantments from two items or add them from enchanted books.
• Repairs items by merging damaged gear, which is basically recycling, Minecraft-style.
• The more enchantments you pile on, the higher the XP bill. Go overboard, and the game hits you with the dreaded “too expensive” tag.

Understanding Enchantment levels and costs

Enchantments depend on your level, how many bookshelves you’ve set up, and even how much lapis you’ve got in your pocket. Before you dive into enchanting, it helps to know how levels and costs actually work.

Enchantment levels from 1 to 30 explained

Enchantment levels are like power settings. Level 1 gives you basic, weaker effects, while level 30 gives you the strongest and most useful enchantments. The higher the level, the better the results.

Here’s how it works:

Levels are powered by bookshelves. You can place up to 15 around your enchantment table, and each one adds two levels. However, they need to sit within one block of the table, with nothing blocking the space in between.

Level 1 enchantments are fine for starters, but nothing to brag about. By level 15, you’re unlocking solid mid-tier upgrades. Hit 20, and now we’re talking real boosts. Reach level 30, and suddenly you’re rocking Protection IV or Sharpness V like a pro.

Some enchantments only show up at higher levels, and many scale in strength. For example, you can start with Protection I and work your way up to Protection IV. It’s worth the effort. More bookshelves mean higher levels, stronger gear, and a better chance of surviving.

What are the experience and Lapis Lazuli costs for each level?

XP and Lapis Lazuli are your currency that Minecraft insists on making important. Every time you enchant, the game throws three options at you with different costs:

• The cheapest option asks for 1 lapis and barely dents your XP. Perfect when you just want “something shiny” on your gear.

• The middle option takes 2 lapis and a chunk more XP.

• The top-tier option is where the magic happens. 3 lapis and a whopping 30 levels. This is how you unlock the really good stuff.

The game doesn’t actually steal all 30 levels. A “level 30 enchant” only eats about 3 XP levels plus the lapis. And don’t forget, lapis lazuli isn’t just pretty. It’s mined from lapis ore and is absolutely required for enchanting.

How to get the best Enchantments by Enchanting at level 30?

The good news is that level 30 enchanting isn’t rocket science. Here’s how to pull it off without losing your sanity:

• First, build 15 bookshelves around your enchantment table. That’s the magic number for hitting the level 30 cap. No cheating with 14.
• Next, grind your way up to 30 XP levels. Mining, mob fighting, fishing…whatever earns you that green glow.
• When you enchant, pay up: 3 lapis lazuli. That’s the ticket to the top-tier enchant slot.
• Now enchant your gear at level 30 and boom—you’ve unlocked the big-league stuff. Think sharper swords, tougher armor, and tools that just won’t quit.
• Don’t love what you rolled? No shame—use a grindstone to wipe it clean and try again.
• Bonus trick: if you actually want lower-level enchants, block off a bookshelf or two. It’s like telling the game, “Nah, I’m good with average today.”

What are the categories of enchantments and their best uses?

Each item has its own set of enchantments, and using the right ones at the right time can be the difference between losing everything or making it out safely.

Armor enchantments

Armor enchants are basically your insurance policy against Minecraft’s favorite hobby: trying to kill you in increasingly creative ways.

• protection types:

  • protection (general): Cuts down most kinds of damage. It’s the all-you-can-eat buffet of defense.

  • fire protection: Great if you like swimming in lava (or just fall into it a lot).

  • blast protection: Creepers? TNT? Ghasts? Boom-proof yourself.

  • projectile protection: Handy when skeletons turn into machine guns.

• special enchants:

  • feather falling: Saves you from “oops, I slipped off a cliff” moments.

  • respiration: More time underwater without gasping like a fish out of water.

  • aqua affinity: Mine underwater like you’re on land—no more snail pace.

• utility enchants:

  • thorns: Free damage for anyone who hits you. Downside: it breaks your armor faster.

  • depth strider: Swim like Michael Phelps.

  • frost walker: Instant ice bridges. Because walking on water is overrated.

Weapon enchantments

Weapons get the flashy upgrades because sometimes survival is just about hitting things harder (and with style).

• damage enhancers:

  • sharpness: The Swiss Army knife of damage boosts. Works on everyone.

  • smite: Extra oomph for undead mobs. Perfect zombie apocalypse prep.

  • bane of arthropods: Your go-to spider spray.

• utility:

  • fire aspect: Sets mobs on fire. Fun and effective.

  • looting: More drops = more profits.

  • knockback: Yeet mobs away when they crowd you.

• trident-specific:

  • loyalty: Boomerang trident. Never lose it.

  • channeling: Summon lightning—because why not play Zeus?

  • riptide: Yeet yourself through rain and water like Aquaman.

Tool enchantments

Tools aren’t glamorous, but the right enchant makes mining and chopping way less grindy.

• efficiency: Cuts through blocks like butter.

• fortune: Jackpot mode—more diamonds, coal, or crops.

• silk touch: Grab blocks in their pure form (stone, glass, etc.).

• unbreaking: Makes your tools last longer.

• mending: Repairs your gear with XP. Basically infinite tools if you play it right.

Bow and crossbow enchantments

For when you’d rather pew-pew from a distance than risk your face.

• power: Arrows hit harder.

• infinity: One arrow = endless arrows. The dream.

• flame: Flaming arrows—because regular arrows weren’t dramatic enough.

• punch: Sends mobs flying backward.

• quick charge (crossbow): Faster reloads.

• multishot (crossbow): Three arrows at once. More chaos, more fun.

• piercing (crossbow): Shoot through multiple mobs with one arrow.

fishing rod enchantments

Fishing might not sound exciting, but the right enchant makes it a legit money-maker.

• Luck of the sea: More treasure, fewer random boots.

• Lure: Fish bite faster, so less staring at the water.

How to use Enchantments effectively?

Enchantments are useful only if you use them wisely. Knowing how to combine, preserve, and manage them makes the difference between wasting XP and building gear that lasts.

How do you combine Enchantments on equipment for optimal results?

Enchantments work best when you combine them. Using an anvil, you can merge enchanted books or items to create stronger gear.

The trick is to start with the simple ones first, then combine them into bigger sets later. This saves XP and makes the process cheaper. Group similar enchantments together (like all the protection types) before adding extra utility ones. It’s a more organized way to build powerful gear without wasting resources.

Avoid incompatible Enchantment pairs

Some enchantments just don’t work together. For example, you can’t put Silk Touch and Fortune on the same tool, or stack different protection types on one armor piece. With bows, Infinity and Mending technically fit, but they cancel each other out in practice. To avoid wasting XP, always check which enchantments are compatible before combining them.

Use Anvils to maximize and preserve Enchantments

Anvils are super useful in Minecraft. They let you repair tools, merge enchantments, and keep your upgrades, unlike grindstones that just wipe everything clean. However, each use makes the next one more expensive, and eventually you’ll hit the “Too Expensive” limit.

To avoid that, use the enchantment table first for basic upgrades, then add rarer books with the anvil. It’s also cheaper to combine books together before applying them to your gear. Renaming items can help lower future costs (and gives you the chance to give your sword a funny name). Just keep in mind that anvils break after about 25 uses, so don’t overdo it.

What are the best strategies for Enchanting in survival mode?

Here’s how to level up your enchanting game without losing your sanity:

• Build a level 30 enchantment setup with 15 bookshelves around your table.
• Farm XP like it’s your side hustle—mining, smelting, mob farming, whatever works.
• Use the enchantment table for general buffs, then stack the rare, niche upgrades with books and an anvil.
• Combine books before slapping them on gear to save XP.
• If you hate an enchantment, strip it with a grindstone early and try again.
• Keep your MVP gear alive with mending and anvil repairs—it’s cheaper than starting over.

Follow these steps, and suddenly your survival world becomes way less about “barely surviving” and more about strutting around in maxed-out armor like you own the place.

How can you get experience points faster for Enchanting?

Getting XP doesn’t have to feel like grinding your soul away. Here’s how to keep your levels up without losing your sanity.

Efficient XP sources

• Mob farms: Think of mob farms as your own XP machines. Build one for skeletons, zombies, or Endermen, and you’ll always have a steady supply. Enderman farms, in particular, are some of the best for fast XP.

• Mining: Ores are an easy way to grab some extra XP. Mining coal, redstone, lapis, or diamonds will all drop experience, and if you use a Fortune pickaxe, you’ll get even more out of each block.

• Trading: Villagers, especially librarians, are low-key OP. They hand out XP and enchanted books.

• Breeding: It sounds silly, but breeding cows or sheep gives you a trickle of XP. It won’t make you rich, but it’s like finding coins in your couch cushions.

Tips for maintaining XP levels and resources

• Grab XP orbs right away before they despawn.
• Use Looting III weapons to make mobs drop more goodies (and more XP).
• Smelt ores and cook food for passive XP.
• Go AFK at your farm if it’s safe.
• Skip unnecessary anviling or disenchanting.

Advanced tips and tricks for Minecraft enchantment

Once you’ve mastered the basics, it’s time to level up your enchanting game. These tricks can save resources, unlock better options, and make your gear last longer in survival mode.

Bookshelf tricks: Cycling Enchantments

• Surround your enchantment table with 15 bookshelves for that sweet level 30 magic.
• Want to change things up without burning XP? Drop a solid block between the table and some shelves to trick the game into cycling enchantment options. Think of it like speed-dating your enchantments until you find “the one.”

Villager trading for specific Enchantments

• Take an unemployed villager, give them a lectern, and congrats—you’ve got a librarian.
• Don’t like the trades? Break and replace the lectern until they cough up the enchanted book you want.
• Pay them in emeralds and books. It’s basically Amazon Prime, but with more blocky grunts.

Using Grindstones tactically to remove unwanted Enchantments

• Grindstones wipe away all non-curse enchantments.
• Use them to recycle your gear when you roll a dud enchant. It’s cheap, quick, and saves you from carrying around a “meh” sword forever.

Renaming items to reduce Anvil repair costs

• Rename your items early in an anvil to reset the “prior work penalty.”
• Doing this means repairs and combines will cost way less XP later. Future-you will thank current-you for thinking ahead.

FAQs

How to use enchantment books in Minecraft?

To use an enchantment book, place it in an anvil along with the item you want to upgrade. The book’s enchantment will then be applied to the item in exchange for some XP levels. You can also combine multiple books in an anvil to stack enchantments before applying them to your gear to save XP in the long run.

How to make Enchanting table in Minecraft?

To craft an enchanting table, open your crafting table and arrange the materials like this:

• 1 book at the top-middle slot
• 2 diamonds on the left and right of the middle row
• 4 obsidian at one in the center slot and three along the bottom row

Once crafted, place the table in your world. Surround it with up to 15 bookshelves (one block away with an air gap) to unlock higher-level enchantments.

How to enchant a sword in Minecraft?

There are two main ways to enchant a sword in Minecraft. The first is by using an enchantment table. Simply place your sword in the left slot of the table, add lapis lazuli in the right slot, and then choose one of the three enchantment options that appear.

The second method is by using an enchanted book with an anvil. To do this, place your sword and the enchanted book in the anvil, and the book’s enchantment will transfer onto the sword for a small XP cost.