How to Enchant an Iron Pickaxe in Minecraft
An enchanted iron pickaxe is a solid midgame tool that can mine stone and ore quickly. You can add enchantments at an enchanting table to boost its performance. This guide walks you through the process.
What You Need
To enchant an iron pickaxe, you’ll need:
- 1 Iron Pickaxe
- 3 Lapis Lazuli
Lapis is used as fuel for the enchanting table. In Creative mode, you don’t need it.
Available Enchantments
Here are the enchantments you can get on an iron pickaxe:
| Enchantment | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Efficiency | Mines blocks faster |
| Fortune | Drops more resources when mining |
| Unbreaking | Tools last longer before breaking |
| Mending | Uses XP to repair the tool |
| Silk Touch | Mines blocks intact instead of dropping them |
| Curse of Vanishing | Item disappears when you die (usually unwanted) |
Steps to Enchant Your Pickaxe
1. Open the Enchanting Table
Right-click or interact with your enchanting table to open the menu.
2. Place Your Items
Put the iron pickaxe in the first slot. Put 3 lapis lazuli in the second slot. You’ll see up to 3 enchantment options appear on the right.
3. Check the Level Requirements
Each enchantment shows a number. That’s how many experience levels you need to see and select it. The higher the number, the better the enchantment usually is.
For example, if you see 30 next to an enchantment, you need 30 XP levels. You won’t lose those levels. You just need them unlocked to view the option.
4. Pick Your Enchantment
Click the enchantment you want. Your lapis and some XP will be spent. The pickaxe will glow purple and may get multiple enchantments at once.
5. Done
Your iron pickaxe is now enchanted. Take it back to your inventory.
Iron Pickaxe Stats
Here’s how iron pickaxes compare to other pickaxes:
| Pickaxe Type | Attack Damage | Durability |
|---|---|---|
| Netherite Pickaxe | 6 | 2031 |
| Diamond Pickaxe | 5 | 1561 |
| Iron Pickaxe | 4 | 250 |
| Stone Pickaxe | 3 | 131 |
| Wooden Pickaxe | 2 | 59 |
| Golden Pickaxe | 2 | 32 |
Iron pickaxes are reliable for mining stone, coal, and basic ores. With Efficiency and Unbreaking, they become a solid tool for early survival.