How to Make a Helmet in Minecraft

Guide Java Bedrock

Quick answer: Craft a helmet with 5 of your material (leather, iron, gold or diamond): fill the top row and place one piece in the middle-left and middle-right slots, like an upside-down U.

What you need

5 of one material (leather, copper, iron ingots, gold ingots or diamonds)

Step by step

Get 5 of your material: leather, copper, iron ingots, gold ingots or diamonds.
Open a crafting table.
Fill the entire top row with 3 pieces.
Place 1 piece in the middle-left slot and 1 in the middle-right slot, leaving the center empty.
Take the helmet.
Wear it in your helmet slot, and enchant it later with Protection, Respiration or Aqua Affinity for underwater work.

Java vs Bedrock

The helmet recipe is the same in Java and Bedrock, and turtle scutes also make the Turtle Shell, a helmet with 10 seconds of water breathing built in. Helmets give 1 to 3 armor points depending on tier, and netherite helmets come from upgrading diamond at a smithing table. Aqua Affinity removes the underwater mining speed penalty and Respiration III plus a Turtle Shell lets you stay under for over a minute. Carved pumpkins also go in the helmet slot: they stop endermen from aggroing when you look at them.

Versions: javabedrock

Frequently asked questions

How do you breathe underwater in Minecraft?

Craft a Turtle Shell from 5 turtle scutes for 10 extra seconds of air, add Respiration III for up to 60 seconds total, and use Aqua Affinity to mine at normal speed. Doors, signs and magma bubble columns also give emergency air pockets.

What is the best helmet enchantment?

Protection IV for general use, or Aqua Affinity + Respiration III + Unbreaking III + Mending for an underwater setup. Netherite adds knockback resistance on top.

Can you put a pumpkin on your head?

Yes. A carved pumpkin equips as a helmet and prevents endermen from becoming hostile when you look at them, at the cost of armor and a slightly blocked view. Essential for End trips.