Iron Sword — Minecraft block

Iron Sword

Iron Sword deals 6 attack damage with 250 durability and is crafted from 2 iron ingots and a stick — the dependable mid-game melee weapon.

Block ID minecraft:iron_sword
Mod Vanilla
Game versions
1.21

Description

The Iron Sword is a mid-tier melee weapon in Minecraft, crafted from two iron ingots and one stick. It deals 6 attack damage in Java Edition with an attack speed of 1.6, placing it above the Stone Sword (5 damage) and below the Diamond Sword (7 damage). Each Iron Sword has 250 durability, so it is the dependable upgrade most players reach right after they start smelting iron. You can enchant an Iron Sword with Sharpness, Smite, Bane of Arthropods, Looting, Fire Aspect, Knockback, Sweeping Edge, Unbreaking, and Mending. Beyond combat, the sword breaks cobwebs and bamboo faster than punching them. Repair it on an anvil with iron ingots or by combining two damaged swords, and smelt a worn sword into one iron nugget. Some zombies and zombified piglins occasionally spawn holding an Iron Sword, which they can drop on death.

Java & Bedrock Guide

How to make and use an Iron Sword in Minecraft

  1. 1

    Smelt iron ingots

    Smelt raw iron in a furnace to get iron ingots; you need two ingots for a single Iron Sword.

  2. 2

    Make a stick

    Place two planks vertically in the crafting grid to craft four sticks, then keep one for the sword.

  3. 3

    Craft the sword

    Stack two iron ingots above one stick in a single column of the 3x3 crafting grid to make the Iron Sword.

  4. 4

    Enchant it (optional)

    Use an enchanting table or anvil to add Sharpness, Looting, Fire Aspect, or Unbreaking for stronger combat.

  5. 5

    Repair when worn

    Combine the sword with iron ingots on an anvil, or use Mending, to restore its 250 durability.

Java vs Bedrock

Iron Sword stats are identical in Java and Bedrock Edition (6 attack damage, 250 durability), but the Sweeping Edge enchantment is exclusive to Java Edition.

How to craft this block

Ingredients: Iron Ingot Iron Ingot x2 Stick Stick x1
Crafting
Iron Ingot
Iron Ingot
Stick
Iron Sword
1
Iron Sword

Related blocks

Frequently asked questions

How do you craft an Iron Sword?

Stack two iron ingots vertically with one stick directly below them in the crafting grid to make one Iron Sword.

How much damage does an Iron Sword do?

An Iron Sword deals 6 attack damage in Java Edition, one point more than a Stone Sword and one less than a Diamond Sword.

How much durability does an Iron Sword have?

An Iron Sword has 250 durability, so it lasts 250 attacks before breaking unless you add the Unbreaking enchantment.

Can you enchant an Iron Sword?

Yes. It accepts Sharpness, Smite, Bane of Arthropods, Looting, Fire Aspect, Knockback, Sweeping Edge, Unbreaking, and Mending.

How do you repair an Iron Sword?

Repair it on an anvil with iron ingots, combine two damaged swords, or use the Mending enchantment to restore durability with experience.

Minecraft and all related materials are trademarks and copyrights of Mojang Studios © 2009–2026. This site is not an official Minecraft product and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Mojang Studios or Microsoft Corporation.