How to Get Magma Blocks in Minecraft

Guide Java Bedrock

Quick answer: Mine magma blocks with any pickaxe, or craft one from four magma cream in a 2x2 square. Look near Nether lava, in basalt deltas or below underwater bubble columns. Magma blocks pull water columns downward and can hurt you when you stand on them.

What you need

Any pickaxe for mining
Or 4 magma cream per crafted magma block
Water source blocks for a downward bubble column

Step by step

Bring a pickaxe. Without one, breaking magma blocks gives no drop.
Look near Nether lava or in basalt deltas; underwater magma in the Overworld is another source, but watch for downward bubble columns.
Mine the block while standing on safe ground. Sneaking prevents magma-floor damage, but it does not make underwater exploration free of drowning risk.
For a crafting route, put four magma cream in a 2x2 square in your inventory or crafting table to get one magma block.
To make a downward water elevator, place the magma block beneath a column of water source blocks. Flowing water alone does not make the complete bubble column.
Keep a safe exit beside the bottom of the column. Do not assume carpet will protect you: thin blocks can still allow magma damage.

Java vs Bedrock

The crafting recipe and downward bubble column work in Java and Bedrock. Sneaking, Frost Walker or Fire Resistance can prevent magma-block damage. Magma blocks do not destroy dropped items or cook the animals they kill.

Versions: javabedrock

Frequently asked questions

Do I need Silk Touch for magma blocks?

No. Any pickaxe drops the magma block intact.

Does magma push me up or pull me down underwater?

It creates a downward bubble column. Soul sand is the block used for an upward column.

Does carpet stop magma damage?

Do not rely on it. Thin blocks such as carpet do not prevent magma from damaging entities above them.

Can I turn a magma block back into magma cream?

The four-magma-cream recipe is not a reversible storage recipe. Gather magma cream separately if that is what you need.