Enchanting Table
Enchanting Table empowers tools, weapons and armor with magical effects in exchange for experience points and lapis lazuli.
Description
The trick to maximum-tier enchantments is bookshelves: place fifteen of them one block away, with one block of air between, and the table can offer level-30 enchantments such as Sharpness V, Protection IV, or Mending. Without bookshelves the maximum offered level is 8, which is too weak for serious progression. The mysterious floating runes that appear when the player approaches are pure decoration — but they signal that bookshelves are correctly positioned.
Java Edition Guide
How to use an Enchanting Table in Minecraft
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1
Craft the Enchanting Table
Place one Book in the top-center slot, two Diamonds in the middle-left and middle-right slots, and four Obsidian in the bottom row plus the center slot. The table costs 2 diamonds and 4 obsidian — gather these before your first enchanting session.
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2
Place up to 15 Bookshelves around it
Arrange bookshelves in a ring exactly 2 blocks away from the table (1 block of air between shelf and table on all sides). Each bookshelf raises the maximum enchantment level by 2. Fifteen bookshelves unlock level 30, the maximum possible.
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3
Keep the gap clear
Any solid block in the single-block air gap between a bookshelf and the table blocks that shelf's bonus. Torches, carpets, and signs do not block it — only solid blocks do.
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4
Open the table and pick an enchantment
Right-click the table, place your tool or armor in the left slot and at least 1 Lapis Lazuli in the right slot. Three options appear; hover over them to reveal the top enchantment. Selecting an option costs lapis lazuli and XP levels equal to the tier (1, 2, or 3 levels).
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5
Reroll offers if needed
Enchantment offers refresh whenever you enchant any item (even a throwaway book) or when nearby bookshelves change. Enchanting a book with a cheap tier-1 offer is the fastest way to cycle to better options.
In Bedrock Edition the enchantment cost shown is always in XP levels and behaviour is functionally identical, but the bookshelf arrangement must still follow the same 2-block radius and air-gap rules.
How to craft this block
Related blocks
Frequently asked questions
How many bookshelves do I need for level 30 enchantments?
Exactly 15 bookshelves are needed to unlock level-30 enchantments. Each bookshelf must be placed 2 blocks away from the table with a single block of air in between, and no solid blocks can fill that gap.
What is the maximum enchantment level without bookshelves?
Without any bookshelves the Enchanting Table caps at level 8. To reach higher levels you must add bookshelves in the correct arrangement around the table.
Why are my bookshelves not boosting the table?
A solid block in the single-block air gap between a bookshelf and the table cancels that shelf's bonus. Check that nothing solid — including chests, blocks of wood, or dirt — is filling those spaces. Torches and carpets are safe.
Does the Enchanting Table work the same in Bedrock Edition?
Yes. The bookshelf placement rules, maximum level of 30, lapis lazuli cost, and XP level cost are identical in both Java and Bedrock Editions.
Can I get Mending from an Enchanting Table?
No. Mending is a treasure enchantment and cannot be obtained from the Enchanting Table. It must be found in loot chests, fishing, trading with librarian villagers, or raids.
How do I change the enchantment offers on my Enchanting Table?
Enchant any item — even a cheap book — and the offers will refresh. You can also temporarily remove a bookshelf, which changes the available level pool and triggers a reroll when you replace it.
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