How to Make a Ladder in Minecraft

Guide Java Bedrock

Quick answer: Craft 3 ladders with 7 sticks: fill the left and right columns with sticks and put the last stick in the center of the middle row. Ladders let you climb straight up walls and break your fall if you grab them.

What you need

7 sticks (makes 3 ladders)

Step by step

Craft 7 sticks from planks (2 planks make 4 sticks).
Open a crafting table.
Fill the entire left column with 3 sticks.
Fill the entire right column with 3 sticks.
Place the last stick in the center slot of the middle row.
Take the 3 ladders and place them on the side of a solid block to climb.

Java vs Bedrock

The ladder recipe is identical in Java and Bedrock. Entering a ladder's space cancels fall damage even if you are not holding anything, and holding sneak on a ladder stops you in place, which is how players work on tall walls safely. Ladders need a solid block face behind them and cannot float in mid-air; for free-standing vertical access use scaffolding instead, and for water movement use bubble columns. Mobs almost never climb ladders on purpose, so a ladder entrance keeps most of them out.

Versions: javabedrock

Frequently asked questions

Do ladders stop fall damage in Minecraft?

Yes. If you land inside a ladder's block space, your speed resets to climbing speed and you take no fall damage, even from the build limit. Landing on the thin top edge still hurts, so aim for the wall side.

Can you place ladders without a wall?

No. A ladder must attach to the side of a solid block, unlike scaffolding or vines which can hang in the air. Break the supporting block and the ladder pops off.

Ladders or scaffolding, which is better?

Scaffolding is faster for building: it stacks from the ground, needs no wall, and you climb it quicker. Ladders are cheaper per height for permanent shafts, look cleaner on walls, and work in tight 1x1 mineshafts.