What's the best enchantment for a pickaxe?

It depends on what you're doing. Efficiency V mines fastest, Fortune III gives more drops, and Silk Touch collects blocks intact. Most players combine Efficiency V with Unbreaking III and Mending for an all-around tool.

Can I use /enchant to add any enchantment to a pickaxe?

No. Some enchantments only work on specific tools. For example, you can't put Silk Touch and Fortune on the same pickaxe, and some enchantments don't work on pickaxes at all. Check the list above for pickaxe-only enchantments.

How do I use the /enchant command?

Type /enchant followed by the player name (or @s for yourself), the enchantment ID name, and the level. Example: /enchant @s efficiency 5

What's the difference between an enchantment ID and ID name?

The ID is an old number system (like 32 for Efficiency). The ID name is the text version (efficiency) used in modern commands. Always use the ID name in the /enchant command.

Can you get Curse of Vanishing on a pickaxe?

Yes, but it's not useful. The curse makes your pickaxe disappear when you die instead of staying where it dropped. Most players avoid it unless they want a challenge.

Pickaxe Enchantments Guide - 1Minecraft

Minecraft Pickaxe Enchantments

In Minecraft Java Edition, you can add enchantments to a pickaxe to boost its performance. This guide lists all pickaxe enchantments with their IDs, max levels, and what they do.

All Pickaxe Enchantments

Enchantment (Minecraft ID Name)	Max Level	Description	Minecraft ID	Version
Curse of Vanishing (vanishing_curse)	I	Item disappears when you die	71	1.11
Efficiency (efficiency)	V	Mines blocks faster	32
Fortune (fortune)	III	Increases drops from mining blocks	35
Mending (mending)	I	Uses XP to repair your tools	70	1.9
Silk Touch (silk_touch)	I	Mines the block itself instead of drops	33
Unbreaking (unbreaking)	III	Increases tool durability	34

What the Columns Mean

Enchantment – The name of the enchantment. The ID name in parentheses is what you use in the /enchant command.
Max Level – The highest level you can apply. Roman numerals are used (I, II, III, V).
Description – What the enchantment does for your pickaxe.
Minecraft ID – The internal number for the enchantment (older versions).
Version – The Minecraft version when this enchantment was added.

How to Enchant a Pickaxe

Use the /enchant command to add enchantments to a pickaxe you’re holding. The basic format is:

/enchant <player> <enchantment> <level>

Example

To add Fortune III to your pickaxe:

/enchant @s fortune 3

This adds Fortune level 3, which gives you triple the ore drops when mining. Fortune works on ores, gems, and other valuable blocks.

Best Enchantment Combinations

Here are common pickaxe builds:

Mining Speed Build: Efficiency V + Unbreaking III + Mending. Fast mining with lasting durability.
Ore Farming Build: Fortune III + Efficiency V + Unbreaking III. Maximizes drops and speed.
Block Collection Build: Silk Touch + Efficiency V + Unbreaking III. Collects intact blocks like ores and ice.

Version Support

This enchantment list covers the latest Minecraft Java Edition. All enchantments listed are available in current versions of Minecraft. Some enchantments like Mending and Curse of Vanishing were added in later updates, so check your version if you don’t see them.

Pickaxe Enchantments Guide – 1Minecraft