How to Use a Smithing Table in Minecraft

Guide Java Bedrock

Quick answer: Use a smithing table by placing a smithing template in the left slot, a tool or armor piece in the middle, and a material in the right slot. It upgrades diamond gear to netherite and applies armor trims, with no experience cost and without losing enchantments or durability.

What you need

2 iron ingots + 4 planks (or find one in a village toolsmith house)
Smithing template (netherite upgrade or armor trim)
Diamond gear to upgrade or armor to trim
Netherite ingot or a trim material

Step by step

Craft a smithing table with 2 iron ingots across the top row and 4 of any planks filling the two rows below, or steal one from a toolsmith house in a village or from trail ruins.
Get a smithing template: a netherite upgrade from bastion remnant chests, or any armor trim from structures like ancient cities, trail ruins, shipwrecks or trial chambers.
Right-click the smithing table to open its three-slot interface.
Put the smithing template in the left slot. The other slots light up with outlines of what they accept.
Put your diamond tool, weapon or armor piece in the middle slot.
Put the material in the right slot: a netherite ingot to upgrade to netherite, or a trim material (iron, copper, gold, lapis, emerald, diamond, netherite, redstone, amethyst, quartz or resin brick) for a cosmetic trim.
Take the result. Smithing costs no experience levels and keeps all enchantments, custom names and remaining durability.

Java vs Bedrock

The smithing table works identically in Java and Bedrock. It was added in 1.14 as a decoration, gained netherite upgrading in 1.16, and the three-slot template system arrived in 1.20. It is also the job site block that turns an unemployed villager into a toolsmith.

Versions: javabedrock

Frequently asked questions

Do you need XP to use a smithing table?

No. Applying a smithing template at a smithing table costs no experience levels, unlike an anvil. It also preserves enchantments, custom names and durability.

Where can you find a smithing table?

Smithing tables generate naturally in toolsmith houses in villages and inside trail ruins. You can also craft one with 2 iron ingots and 4 planks.

What does a smithing table do in Minecraft?

Two things: it upgrades diamond gear to netherite gear using a netherite upgrade template plus a netherite ingot, and it applies decorative armor trims using a trim template plus a trim material.