Iron Axe — Minecraft block

Iron Axe

The Iron Axe chops wood faster than stone tools and deals heavy melee damage, crafted from 3 iron ingots and 2 sticks.

Block ID minecraft:iron_axe
Mod Vanilla
Game versions
1.21

Description

The Iron Axe is a mid-tier wood-chopping tool and melee weapon crafted from 3 iron ingots and 2 sticks on a crafting table. It mines logs, planks, chests, and other wooden blocks faster than a stone axe and lasts for 250 uses before breaking. In Java Edition the Iron Axe deals 9 attack damage, making it one of the strongest melee weapons in the game, though its 0.9 attack speed forces a slow swing. Beyond combat, players right-click the Iron Axe on a log to strip its bark, scrape oxidation off copper blocks, and remove wax from waxed copper. The tool accepts Efficiency, Unbreaking, Mending, Fortune, Silk Touch, and Sharpness enchantments. Because iron is fully renewable from iron golems, the Iron Axe is easy to replace and works the same in both Java and Bedrock Edition.

Java & Bedrock Guide

How to craft and use an Iron Axe in Minecraft

  1. 1

    Gather the materials

    Smelt iron ore into 3 iron ingots in a furnace and craft 2 sticks from 2 wooden planks.

  2. 2

    Craft the axe

    Open a crafting table and place the 3 iron ingots and 2 sticks in the axe pattern to make one Iron Axe.

  3. 3

    Chop wood and fight

    Hold the axe to break logs and planks faster, or attack mobs for 9 damage in Java Edition.

  4. 4

    Strip logs and clean copper

    Right-click a log to remove its bark, or right-click oxidized or waxed copper to scrape it clean.

  5. 5

    Enchant it

    Use an enchanting table or anvil to add Efficiency, Unbreaking, or Mending and extend the 250-use lifespan.

Edition difference

In Java Edition the Iron Axe deals 9 attack damage and can disable shields; in Bedrock Edition it deals 5 damage and swings without an attack-speed cooldown.

How to craft this block

Crafting
Iron Axe
1
Iron Axe

Used in crafts

Frequently asked questions

How do you craft an Iron Axe?

Place 3 iron ingots and 2 sticks in a crafting table in the axe pattern to make one Iron Axe. The sticks form the handle down the center column.

How much damage does an Iron Axe do?

In Java Edition it deals 9 attack damage with a 0.9 attack speed; in Bedrock Edition it deals 5 damage.

How many uses does an Iron Axe have?

An Iron Axe has 250 durability, so it can break about 250 blocks or land roughly 125 attacks before it breaks.

What enchantments can go on an Iron Axe?

Efficiency, Unbreaking, Mending, Fortune, Silk Touch, Sharpness, Smite, and Bane of Arthropods can all be applied to an Iron Axe.

Is the Iron Axe better than a stone axe?

Yes. The Iron Axe mines wood faster, lasts 250 uses versus 131, and deals more damage, making it the standard upgrade before diamond.

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