How to Make Smooth Stone Slabs in Minecraft

Guide Java Bedrock

Quick answer: Put three smooth stone blocks in one horizontal row of a crafting table to make six smooth stone slabs. A stonecutter turns one smooth stone into two slabs. Ordinary stone makes stone slabs instead, so check the input block before crafting.

What you need

3 smooth stone for 6 smooth stone slabs
Crafting table OR stonecutter
Furnace and fuel if making smooth stone
Pickaxe

Step by step

Gather smooth stone. If starting with cobblestone, smelt it into stone, then smelt the stone again into smooth stone.
Open a crafting table and place three smooth stone blocks in one horizontal row.
Take six smooth stone slabs. The inventory 2x2 grid cannot fit the three-block row.
For smaller batches, put one smooth stone in a stonecutter and select two smooth stone slabs.
Check the output name: stone slabs and smooth stone slabs are different blocks. Use smooth stone for the pale slab with a darker border.
Collect placed slabs with a pickaxe. Use smooth stone slabs, not ordinary stone slabs, when a recipe such as an armor stand asks for them.

Java vs Bedrock

The crafting and stonecutter recipes work in Java and Bedrock. Old references may call the bordered slab a stone slab; current versions distinguish stone slabs from smooth stone slabs.

Versions: javabedrock

Frequently asked questions

Why did I get stone slabs instead?

You used ordinary stone. Smelt it once more into smooth stone, then craft the slabs.

Is the stonecutter more efficient for slabs?

Both routes give two slabs per block. The stonecutter is useful for single blocks rather than batches of three.

Can I use ordinary stone slabs for an armor stand?

Use smooth stone slabs. The two slab types are different recipe ingredients.