Enchanting Table in Minecraft: Crafting, Uses and Bookshelf Setup

The Enchanting Table is a utility block used to enchant tools, weapons, armor and books. It requires experience levels and Lapis Lazuli to apply enchantments. Nearby bookshelves increase the strength of the enchantment options available through the table.

How to Craft an Enchanting Table

You need the following materials:

• 1 Book
• 2 Diamonds
• 4 Obsidian

Craft the Enchanting Table using a Crafting Table with this arrangement:

	Book
Diamond	Obsidian	Diamond
Obsidian	Obsidian	Obsidian

The Enchanting Table can be mined and collected with a pickaxe in Java Edition. In Bedrock Edition, a pickaxe is not required to obtain it.

How to Use an Enchanting Table

To enchant an item, place it inside the Enchanting Table interface along with Lapis Lazuli.

You need:

• An enchantable item
• 1–3 Lapis Lazuli
• Enough experience levels

After placing the item in the table, three enchantment options appear. These options are randomly generated and depend on the item, the available enchanting power and the number of active bookshelves.

The symbols shown beside the options do not reveal the complete enchantment list. You can hover over an option to see one of the enchantments that may be applied.

How Experience Levels Work

The level shown beside an enchantment is the minimum experience level required to select that option. It is not necessarily the number of levels removed from the player.

For example, a high-level option may require the player to have at least 30 experience levels, while the actual cost can be lower after the enchantment is applied.

The final result is still affected by randomness. Even the strongest available option does not guarantee the highest possible enchantment level or multiple enchantments.

How Bookshelves Improve an Enchanting Table

Bookshelves increase the enchanting power of the table. To affect the Enchanting Table, a bookshelf must be placed correctly near it, with an unobstructed space between the bookshelf and the table.

The most important rules are:

• Bookshelves must be placed two blocks away from the Enchanting Table.
• The bookshelf must be on the same level as the table or one block higher.
• The space between the table and bookshelf must remain clear.
• Even certain small blocks, such as torches, can block the bookshelf’s effect.
• A maximum of 15 bookshelves can contribute to the table’s enchanting power.

With 15 correctly positioned bookshelves, the Enchanting Table can offer enchantments requiring up to level 30.

Best Bookshelf Arrangement

A common setup places the Enchanting Table in the center of a room, with bookshelves arranged around it.

The bookshelves should form a ring or partial square while leaving an open space for the player to access the table. You do not need to fill every surrounding block with bookshelves.

The important part is not the decoration or shape of the room. The bookshelves must be positioned at the correct distance and must not be blocked.

What Items Can Be Enchanted?

An Enchanting Table can enchant many common pieces of equipment, including:

• Swords
• Pickaxes
• Axes
• Shovels
• Hoes
• Bows
• Crossbows
• Tridents
• Fishing Rods
• Helmets
• Chestplates
• Leggings
• Boots
• Books

Some items cannot be enchanted directly through the table. In those cases, an Anvil and a compatible Enchanted Book may be required.

Enchanting Books

A normal Book can be placed in the Enchanting Table to create an Enchanted Book.

An Enchanted Book does not apply its effect simply by being held. It stores an enchantment that can later be transferred to a compatible item using an Anvil.

This method is useful when you want to save an enchantment for a specific tool, weapon or armor piece.

Enchanting Table and Anvil

The Enchanting Table and Anvil have different purposes.

The Enchanting Table is used to create enchantments using experience levels and Lapis Lazuli. The Anvil is used to:

• Apply Enchanted Books to items
• Combine enchanted items
• Combine Enchanted Books
• Repair certain items
• Rename items

Using both blocks together gives players more control over their final equipment.

Useful Enchantments to Get

Some useful enchantments to look for include:

• Efficiency: Improves the mining speed of suitable tools.
• Fortune: Can increase drops from certain blocks, including diamond ore.
• Silk Touch: Allows certain blocks to be collected in their original form.
• Unbreaking: Reduces the chance of durability loss.
• Mending: Uses experience to repair compatible items.
• Protection: Reduces certain types of damage on armor.
• Sharpness: Increases the damage of compatible weapons.

Important Enchanting Tips

• Build 15 correctly positioned bookshelves for maximum enchanting power.
• Keep Lapis Lazuli in your storage before using the table.
• Save experience levels for important equipment.
• Check all three options before selecting an enchantment.
• Use Enchanted Books when you need more control over the final enchantment.
• Remember that an Enchanting Table does not guarantee the exact enchantment you want.
• Use an Anvil to apply Enchanted Books to compatible items.

Final Thoughts

The Enchanting Table is an important part of Minecraft progression. It allows players to improve equipment using experience levels and Lapis Lazuli, while bookshelves increase the strength of the available enchantment options.