How to Beat the Ender Dragon in Minecraft

Guide Java Bedrock

Quick answer: Enter the End through a stronghold portal with a bow, plenty of arrows, slow falling potions and a water bucket. Destroy the 10 End Crystals on the obsidian pillars first (some are caged in iron bars), then hit the dragon when it perches over the exit fountain. Avoid its breath clouds and collect the experience and the dragon egg when it dies.

What you need

Bow + 2 stacks of arrows (or Infinity)
Diamond/netherite armor, ideally Protection IV
Slow Falling potions + water bucket
A strong sword for the perch phase
Blocks, food, ender pearls
Optional: carved pumpkin, beds

Step by step

Gear up: full diamond or netherite armor (Protection IV ideal), a Power bow with 2+ stacks of arrows (or Infinity), a strong sword, slow falling potions, a water bucket, food, ender pearls and 2-3 stacks of blocks. A carved pumpkin on your head prevents Enderman aggro but limits vision.
Find and activate the End portal in a stronghold (see the stronghold guide), and consider setting your spawn at a bed nearby before jumping in.
On arrival you may spawn in an obsidian room inside the island: dig up and out. Do not look at Endermen.
Destroy the 10 End Crystals on the obsidian pillars to stop the dragon healing. Shoot exposed crystals from a distance. Two crystals are protected by iron-bar cages; approach carefully, open the cage and move away from the crystal before breaking it.
While circling, dodge the dragon's charges and never stand in the purple breath clouds (bottle them for Dragon's Breath instead).
When the dragon perches over the exit fountain, use your sword rather than arrows or thrown tridents: those projectiles bounce off during the perch. Stay out of its breath clouds and watch for knockback. Explosive bed tactics can also hurt you and are optional, not required.
Repeat bow phase and perch phase until it dies: it explodes into 12,000 XP (first kill), opens the exit portal, spawns the dragon egg and activates an End gateway to the outer islands.

Java vs Bedrock

The first kill drops 12,000 XP and later kills drop 500 XP in both editions. Java generates a dragon egg only on the first kill; Bedrock generates one on the first and second kills. The dragon is immune to arrows and thrown tridents while perched.

Versions: Describes the current Java and Bedrock releases. See the edition note above for differences.

Frequently asked questions

How do you respawn the Ender Dragon?

Craft 4 End Crystals. For each, put 3 glass in the top row, glass + 1 eye of ender + glass in the middle row, and glass + 1 ghast tear + glass in the bottom row. Place 1 crystal on each of the four sides of the exit portal. Collect the dragon egg first: starting the respawn can remove an uncollected egg. Later kills drop 500 XP; Bedrock also generates an egg on the second kill.

Why should I bring beds to the dragon fight?

Beds explode when used in the End, so they can damage the dragon and the player. They are optional. For a first fight, a bow for crystals and flight phases plus a sword for perches avoids relying on explosive timing.

What do you get for killing the Ender Dragon?

The first kill gives 12,000 XP, opens the exit portal, generates a dragon egg and creates an End gateway toward the outer islands. Later kills give 500 XP. Java generates an egg only on the first kill; Bedrock does so on the first and second.