How to Get Unbreaking in Minecraft (Unbreaking III)

Guide Java Bedrock

Quick answer: Unbreaking reduces durability loss on compatible tools, weapons and armor. It comes from enchanting tables or enchanted books, with some items requiring an anvil. III gives about 4 times the normal tool lifespan on average, or about 1.43 times for armor, and can coexist with Mending.

What you need

Any tool, weapon or armor piece
Enchanting table + bookshelves
Librarian + lectern for the targeted book
Anvil and XP

Step by step

Enchant eligible tools, weapons and armor at the enchanting table. Some durable items, including elytra, shears and shields, need an Unbreaking book applied on an anvil rather than the table.
For standard librarian trades, check enchanted books for Unbreaking and lock a useful trade. Combine two Unbreaking II books on an anvil to get III. Do not assume a fixed price.
Fish, loot, raid: fishing books, non-village structure loot and (in Bedrock) raid mob drops all carry Unbreaking.
Apply the book to a compatible durable item on an anvil. Check the displayed XP cost. Unbreaking can coexist with Mending.
Tools and weapons: each use has a 100/(level+1)% chance to consume durability - 50% at I, 33% at II, 25% at III. On average your tool lasts 2, 3 or 4 times as long.
Armor works differently: a durability hit has a 60% + 40/(level+1)% chance to count, so armor only lasts 1.25/1.36/1.43 times longer. Unbreaking helps armor less than tools - one reason Mending matters so much on armor.
Multi-point losses roll per point: when a fishing rod yank or a TNT blast costs several durability at once, Unbreaking rolls separately for each point.
Pair it with Mending to reduce the durability points you need to repair. You must still collect XP and watch the item: damaged equipment can share repair orbs, and the item can still break.

Java vs Bedrock

Tools and weapons average 2/3/4 times their normal lifespan at I/II/III; armor averages about 1.25/1.36/1.43 times. Elytra use the tool-style rule, not the armor rule. Bedrock raid-spawned mobs are an extra source of enchanted books.

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

Frequently asked questions

How much longer does Unbreaking III make tools last?

On average, four times as long: each use has only a 25% chance to consume a durability point at level III. Armor benefits less - about 1.43 times longer - because armor rolls durability differently.

Does Unbreaking stack with Mending?

Yes. Mending repairs with collected XP and Unbreaking reduces durability loss. They do not make an item unbreakable; keep collecting XP and check its condition.

Is Unbreaking worth it on armor?

Yes, but armor benefits less: about 1.25-1.43 times its usual lifespan, versus 2-4 times for tools. Elytra follow the tool rule, so Unbreaking III gives about four times the normal flight time before repairs on average.