How to Get Swift Sneak in Minecraft

Guide Java Bedrock

Quick answer: Swift Sneak comes only from loot chests in ancient cities - it's a non-renewable treasure enchantment you can't get from the enchanting table, villagers or fishing. Loot every chest in the deep dark cities and apply the book to leggings with an anvil: level III makes you sneak at 75% of walking speed.

What you need

Ancient city location (deep dark, ~Y=-51)
Wool for stealth around sculk
Anvil to apply the book
Leggings worth enchanting

Step by step

Find an ancient city in the deep dark: they generate under mountains around Y=-51. Our ancient city finder guide has the details.
Prepare for the warden: chests sit among sculk sensors and shriekers - bring wool to muffle your steps, and Swift Sneak exists precisely to make this easier next time.
Loot every chest: ancient city chests can contain Swift Sneak enchanted books at any level (I, II or III). It's the only source in the game - no table, no villagers, no fishing.
Each eligible ancient-city chest has about a 23.7% chance to contain a Swift Sneak book, with a random level. That is not a guarantee of III in one city. Combine I books into II and II into III on an anvil if needed.
Apply it to leggings: combine book and leggings on an anvil. Swift Sneak only goes on leggings.
Move like a ghost: sneaking normally runs at 30% of walking speed; each Swift Sneak level adds 15%, so III reaches 75%. It also speeds up crawling and sneaking in water (still slower than walking).

Java vs Bedrock

Swift Sneak works identically in Java and Bedrock - ancient city chest loot only, leggings only, same speed percentages. Levels IV and V exist only through commands (capped at 100% of walking speed), so survival caps at III's 75%.

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

Frequently asked questions

Can you get Swift Sneak from an enchanting table?

No. Swift Sneak is only found as enchanted books in ancient city loot chests - not from the table, villager trades, fishing or any other source. It's non-renewable per chest.

What does Swift Sneak do?

It makes you sneak faster: normal sneaking is 30% of walking speed, and each level adds 15% - 45% at I, 60% at II, 75% at III. It also boosts crawling speed and sneaking through water.

What can you put Swift Sneak on?

Leggings only. It can't go on boots or any other armor piece in survival.

How rare is Swift Sneak?

Eligible ancient-city chests have about a 23.7% chance to contain a Swift Sneak book at a random level. That is not the chance of III specifically and does not guarantee a book in any one city. Combine lower-level books if needed.