How to Build a Fountain in Minecraft

Guide Java Bedrock

Quick answer: The classic garden fountain: a 7x7 stone brick basin one block deep, water across the floor, a 3-block central column with water pouring down its sides, and slab detailing. Glowstone or sea lanterns under the water make it glow at night.

What you need

Stone bricks and slabs (about 3 stacks)
Buckets of water (an infinite spring nearby helps)
A sea lantern or glowstone for the glow
Optional: chiseled stone bricks for the centerpiece

Step by step

Basin: a 7x7 ring of stone bricks, walls one block above the ground. Slabs on the rim for a finished edge.
Fill the floor with water sources - one layer, calm and mirror-flat.
Centerpiece: a 1-3 block wide column in the middle, 2-4 blocks tall. Chiseled stone bricks or a stair pyramid both work.
Water effect: pour water on top of the column so it streams down the sides into the basin.
Glow: replace the basin floor under the water with sea lanterns or glowstone - the water lights up turquoise at night.
Detail pass: stairs at the corners, a fence post with a lantern at each side, mossy bricks mixed into the ring.
Big plaza version: scale to 11x11 with a second raised basin on the column - water falls basin to basin.
Winter variant: packed ice under the water layer and snow layers on the rim.

Java vs Bedrock

Identical on Java and Bedrock.

Versions: All blocks and water mechanics are stable in every current version.

Frequently asked questions

How do I keep the basin water flat?

Every floor block of the basin needs its own source block - water flowing sideways never settles. Fill row by row with your bucket.

Why put lanterns under the water?

Sea lanterns glow through water with a turquoise tint and stop drowneds spawning in your fountain at night.