Minecraft enchantments list
A table of Minecraft enchantments with max levels, compatible items and effects, for weapons, bows, tridents, armor and tools. Current for Java Edition 1.21+.
How enchantments work
You can apply enchantments to items in three ways:
- Enchanting table: requires lapis lazuli and experience levels. The result is random, but bookshelves improve your chances of getting better enchantments. A maximum of 15 bookshelves = level 30 enchantments. Detailed enchanting guide.
- Anvil + enchanted book: applies a specific enchantment precisely. You get books from trading with a librarian, from chests in structures, from fishing or from the enchanting table.
- Anvil + item: combining two identical items combines their enchantments. For example, two swords with Sharpness III = a sword with Sharpness IV.
Some enchantments exclude each other (for example Sharpness and Smite). You can't put both on the same item.
Weapon enchantments (sword, axe)
| Enchantment | Max | Applies to | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpness | V | Sword, axe | +1 to +3 damage (depending on level) |
| Smite | V | Sword, axe | +2.5 damage/level vs undead |
| Bane of Arthropods | V | Sword, axe | +2.5 damage/level vs spiders, silverfish |
| Fire Aspect | II | Sword | Sets the target on fire for 4s/8s |
| Knockback | II | Sword | Knocks the target back farther |
| Looting | III | Sword | More loot from mobs |
| Sweeping Edge | III | Sword (Java) | Increases sweep attack damage |
Conflicts: Sharpness, Smite and Bane of Arthropods exclude one another, so pick one. Which one to pick? Sword enchantment guide.
Bow and crossbow enchantments
| Enchantment | Max | Applies to | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power | V | Bow | Increases arrow damage |
| Infinity | I | Bow | Doesn't use up arrows (requires 1 in your inventory) |
| Flame | I | Bow | Sets the target on fire for 5s |
| Punch | II | Bow | Knocks the target back with the arrow |
| Quick Charge | III | Crossbow | -0.25s/level of charge time |
| Multishot | I | Crossbow | Fires 3 arrows (uses 1) |
| Piercing | IV | Crossbow | The arrow pierces through targets |
Conflicts: Infinity excludes Mending (bow). Multishot excludes Piercing (crossbow). Best bow enchantments: guide.
Trident enchantments
| Enchantment | Max | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Loyalty | III | The trident returns after being thrown |
| Riptide | III | Launches the player forward with the trident (in rain or water) |
| Channeling | I | Strikes the target with lightning (during a thunderstorm) |
| Impaling | V | +2.5 damage/level vs aquatic mobs (Java) / wet mobs (Bedrock) |
Conflicts: Loyalty and Channeling exclude Riptide. Full trident enchantment guide.
Armor enchantments
| Enchantment | Max | Applies to | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protection | IV | All armor pieces | -4% damage/level (general) |
| Fire Protection | IV | All armor pieces | -8% fire damage/level |
| Blast Protection | IV | All armor pieces | -8% explosion damage/level |
| Projectile Protection | IV | All armor pieces | -8% projectile damage/level |
| Thorns | III | Chestplate (other pieces via anvil) | Reflects damage back at the attacker |
| Feather Falling | IV | Boots | -12% to -48% fall damage |
| Respiration | III | Helmet | +15s of underwater breathing/level |
| Aqua Affinity | I | Helmet | Normal mining speed underwater |
| Depth Strider | III | Boots | Faster movement underwater |
| Frost Walker | II | Boots (anvil only) | Freezes the water under your feet |
| Soul Speed | III | Boots (anvil only) | Faster walking on soul sand and soul soil |
| Swift Sneak | III | Leggings (anvil only) | Faster sneaking |
Conflicts: Protection, Fire Protection, Blast Protection and Projectile Protection exclude one another. Depth Strider excludes Frost Walker.
Tool enchantments
| Enchantment | Max | Applies to | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Efficiency | V | Pickaxe, shovel, axe, shears | Faster mining |
| Silk Touch | I | Pickaxe, shovel, axe | Blocks drop themselves |
| Fortune | III | Pickaxe, shovel, axe | More drops from blocks |
Conflicts: Silk Touch excludes Fortune. You can't have both on one tool.
Universal enchantments
| Enchantment | Max | Applies to | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unbreaking | III | Anything with durability | Lower chance of losing durability |
| Mending | I | Anything with durability | XP repairs the item |
| Curse of Vanishing | I | Anything | The item disappears on death |
| Curse of Binding | I | Armor, heads, elytra | Can't be removed (until death or destruction) |
Mending vs Infinity: these two enchantments exclude each other on a bow. You have to choose between infinite arrows and a self-repairing bow. More in the bow enchantment guide.
Best enchantments for each item
A quick cheat sheet of ideal enchantment sets:
- Sword: Sharpness V, Looting III, Unbreaking III, Mending, Fire Aspect II, Sweeping Edge III
- Bow: Power V, Infinity, Flame, Unbreaking III (or Mending instead of Infinity)
- Pickaxe: Efficiency V, Fortune III (or Silk Touch), Unbreaking III, Mending
- Helmet: Protection IV, Respiration III, Aqua Affinity I, Unbreaking III, Mending
- Chestplate: Protection IV, Unbreaking III, Mending
- Leggings: Protection IV, Unbreaking III, Mending, Swift Sneak III
- Boots: Protection IV, Feather Falling IV, Depth Strider III, Unbreaking III, Mending
- Trident (combat): Loyalty III, Channeling I, Impaling V, Unbreaking III, Mending
- Trident (transport): Riptide III, Unbreaking III, Mending