Ladder
Ladder is the wall-mounted climb block, crafted cheaply from sticks for vertical shafts and towers.
Description
Although scaffolding is faster to remove, this older block remains the reliable permanent option. It does not require bamboo, it works in narrow spaces, and it can be placed underwater without washing away in modern versions. Falling against it slows descent, which makes it useful as a low-tech brake in vertical drops. Builders also use it visually as a rung texture on cranes, docks, barns, and workshop walls.
Guide
How to Place and Climb a Ladder in Minecraft
-
1
Craft the Ladder
Open a crafting table and place seven sticks in an H-pattern: one stick in each corner of the top and middle rows, one in the center of the middle row, and one in each corner of the bottom row. This yields three Ladders per craft.
-
2
Attach it to a solid block
Right-click a solid vertical surface — stone, wood planks, or any opaque block — with the Ladder in hand. The Ladder snaps to that face. It cannot float free; it must always be supported by a solid block behind it.
-
3
Climb up and down
Walk into the Ladder surface and hold the forward key (W by default) to ascend. To descend, hold Sneak (Shift) to slide down slowly, or simply walk into it while facing it to drop at a controlled speed.
-
4
Use it in narrow shafts
Because the Ladder's collision box is only a few pixels thick, it fits inside a single 1×1 block shaft. Dig a vertical column, place solid blocks on one wall, and attach Ladders up the entire column for a compact elevator.
-
5
Slow a long fall
Falling players who touch a Ladder surface are slowed significantly. Place a short run of Ladders at the bottom of a drop shaft to stop fall damage without a water bucket.
In Java Edition, Ladders placed underwater stay in place and still allow climbing. In Bedrock Edition the behavior is identical. Scaffolding breaks faster when removed, but Ladders are permanent and need no bamboo to craft.
How to craft this block
Stick
x7
Frequently asked questions
How do you make a Ladder in Minecraft?
Arrange seven sticks in an H-shape on a crafting table — three sticks on each side column and one in the center of the middle row. This recipe yields three Ladders.
Can you place a Ladder on any surface?
No. A Ladder must be placed on the side of a solid, opaque block. It cannot attach to glass, fences, or other transparent or non-full blocks, and it cannot float unsupported.
Do Ladders slow fall damage?
Yes. Touching a Ladder surface while falling significantly reduces descending speed, which can prevent fall damage entirely if you make contact early enough in the fall.
Can mobs climb Ladders?
Most hostile mobs such as zombies and skeletons can climb Ladders if they walk into them. This is important to account for in base defense designs.
Do Ladders work underwater?
Yes. In both Java and Bedrock Editions, Ladders placed underwater remain attached and climbable. They are not washed away by water flow.
What is the difference between a Ladder and Scaffolding?
Scaffolding is faster to remove in bulk and allows free vertical movement while crouching, but it requires bamboo and collapses when its base is broken. Ladders are permanent, need no bamboo, and fit in 1×1 shafts.
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.