How to Make a Sword in Minecraft

Guide Java Bedrock

Quick answer: Craft a sword with 2 of your material (planks, cobblestone, iron, gold or diamond) stacked in the center column and 1 stick at the bottom. Better tiers hit harder and last longer; netherite comes from upgrading diamond at a smithing table.

What you need

2 of one material (planks, cobblestone, copper, iron, gold or diamonds)
1 stick

Step by step

Craft 1 stick from planks.
Get 2 of your material: planks, cobblestone, copper, iron, gold or diamonds.
Open a crafting table.
Place 1 material piece in the top-center slot and 1 in the middle-center slot.
Place the stick in the bottom-center slot.
Take the sword. In Java, time your swings for full damage; in Bedrock, spam away.

Java vs Bedrock

The sword recipe is the same shape in Java and Bedrock for every tier: wooden, stone, copper, iron, golden and diamond, and netherite swords are made by upgrading a diamond sword at a smithing table. Combat differs by edition: Java has attack cooldown, so waiting a moment between hits deals full damage and sprint-knockback hits, while Bedrock lets you swing freely. Swords break cobwebs and bamboo quickly, and a Looting III sword increases mob drops, which is why farmers carry one to every mob farm. Sharpness is the go-to enchantment, with Smite or Bane of Arthropods for specific farms.

Versions: javabedrock

Frequently asked questions

What is the best sword in Minecraft?

A netherite sword with Sharpness V, made by enchanting a diamond sword and upgrading it at a smithing table with a netherite ingot and a Netherite Upgrade template. It deals the most damage of any melee weapon in survival.

Why does my sword hit softly in Java?

The attack cooldown: after each swing a meter refills under your crosshair, and hitting early deals reduced damage. Wait for the full recharge, or use an axe for big single hits. Bedrock has no cooldown.

How much damage does a diamond sword do?

7 attack damage in both editions before enchantments; netherite deals 8. With Sharpness V a diamond sword reaches about 10 damage per hit in Java, one of the best early boss weapons.