How to Make Armor in Minecraft

Guide Java Bedrock

Quick answer: Craft a full armor set with 24 units of one material: helmet (5), chestplate (8), leggings (7) and boots (4). Workable materials are leather, iron ingots, gold ingots, diamonds and copper ingots; netherite is made by smithing diamond armor, and chainmail cannot be crafted.

What you need

24 of one material for a full set: leather, iron ingot, gold ingot, diamond or copper ingot
Crafting table
Smithing table + netherite upgrade template + netherite ingots (for netherite upgrades)
Armor trim smithing templates (optional, cosmetic)

Step by step

Choose your material. Leather is earliest (kill cows, horses or hoglins), iron is the practical mid-game standard, and diamond is the late-game goal before netherite.
Craft a helmet: place 5 pieces in a helmet shape (top row of 3, middle-left and middle-right) on a crafting table.
Craft a chestplate: fill every slot except the top-middle (8 pieces).
Craft leggings: fill the top row and both side columns, leaving the bottom-middle empty (7 pieces).
Craft boots: place 2 pieces in the middle-left and middle-right and 2 directly below them (4 pieces).
A full set takes 24 pieces of the same material. Mixed sets work but give uneven protection.
Upgrade diamond armor to netherite at a smithing table with a netherite upgrade smithing template and one netherite ingot per piece (netherite upgrade keeps enchantments and trims).
Add armor trims at a smithing table with any trim smithing template plus a crystal or metal (amethyst, copper, diamond, emerald, gold, iron, lapis, quartz, redstone or resin) for looks.

Java vs Bedrock

Crafting recipes are identical in Java and Bedrock. Chainmail armor is uncraftable in both editions (mob drops and village/armorer chest loot only). Wolf armor is a separate item crafted from armadillo scutes and only fits tamed wolves.

Versions: 1.0 (leather, iron, gold, diamond, chainmail)1.16 (netherite via smithing)1.20 (armor trims)1.20.5 (wolf armor)1.21.9 (copper armor)

Frequently asked questions

What is the best armor material in Minecraft?

Netherite: the highest protection, toughness and knockback resistance, and it does not burn in lava. Diamond is the best you can craft directly; netherite is a smithing upgrade on top of diamond.

Can you craft chainmail armor?

No. Chainmail only comes from mob drops (zombies and skeletons that spawn wearing it), trading with armorer villagers, and chest loot.

How many diamonds do you need for a full set of armor?

24 diamonds: 5 for the helmet, 8 for the chestplate, 7 for the leggings and 4 for the boots.

Is copper armor better than iron?

No. Copper armor sits between leather and iron: 10 armor points for a full set versus iron's 15, with lower durability. It is a cheap early-game option when copper is plentiful but iron is not.