Minecraft:Enchanting table mechanics

File:Enchanting Table.gif

This article is about the mechanics of Minecraft:enchanting with Minecraft:enchanting tables.

Enchantment selection

Experience cost

When an item is placed in an Minecraft:enchanting table, the Minecraft:experience cost of each enchantment slot is selected depending on the slot and the number of nearby Minecraft:bookshelves, which is capped at 15.

For each slot, a base experience cost is calculated as:

<math>base=1+\text{randint}\left(7\right)+\left\lfloor\frac{\min\left(15,bookshelves\right)}2\right\rfloor+\text{randint}\left(\min\left(15,bookshelves\right)\right)</math>

where <math>\text{randint}</math> generates a random integer in range <math>0</math> to <math>n</math> (both inclusive).

The final experience cost is then calculated depending on the slot:

Top slot: <math>cost=\left\lfloor\max\left(1,\frac{base}3\right)\right\rfloor</math>

Middle slot: <math>cost=\left\lfloor\frac{2\cdot base}3\right\rfloor+1</math>

Bottom slot: <math>cost=\left\lfloor\max\left(base,2\cdot bookshelves\right)\right\rfloor</math>

Bookshelves	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15
Cost of top slot	1–2	1–3	1–3	1–4	1–4	1–5	1–5	1–6	1–6	1–7	2–7	2–8	2–8	2–9	2–9	2–10
Cost of middle slot	1–6	1–7	2–8	2–9	3–10	3–11	3–12	3–13	4–14	4–15	5–16	5–17	5–18	5–19	6–20	6–21
Cost of bottom slot	1–8	2–9	4–11	6–12	8–14	10–15	12–17	14–18	16–20	18–21	20–23	22–24	24–26	26–27	28–29	30

Value

The value for each slot is calculated depending on the item's enchantability and the experience cost:

<math>value=\text{round}\left(\left(cost+\text{randint}\left(\left\lfloor\frac{enchantability}4\right\rfloor\right)+\text{randint}\left(\left\lfloor\frac{enchantability}4\right\rfloor\right)+1\right)\cdot\left(1+\text{rand}\left(0.15\right)-\text{rand}\left(0.15\right)\right)\right)</math>

where <math>\text{rand}</math> generates a random number in range <math>0</math> to <math>n</math> (both inclusive).

Template:Anchor Template:IN, an item's enchantability is stored in the Template:Code item component.

Item	Enchantability
Template:ItemSprite Golden Armor	25
Template:ItemSprite Golden Weapons and Tools	22
Template:ItemSprite Leather Armor Template:ItemSprite Mace Template:ItemSprite Netherite Armor Template:ItemSprite Netherite Weapons and Tools Template:ItemSprite Wooden Weapons and Tools	15
Template:ItemSprite Iron Weapons and Tools	14
Template:ItemSprite Copper Weapons and Tools	13
Template:ItemSprite Chainmail Armor	12
Template:ItemSprite Diamond Armor Template:ItemSprite Diamond Weapons and Tools	10
Template:ItemSprite Iron Armor Template:ItemSprite Turtle Shell	9
Template:ItemSprite Copper Armor	8
Template:ItemSprite Stone Weapons and Tools	5
All other enchantable items	1

Selection

Of every non-treasure enchantment for which the item is a primary item or a Minecraft:book, the highest level for which the <math>value</math> falls within its value range is a candidate.

A candidate is randomly selected based on weights, and incompatible candidates are removed.

As long as candidates remain, more enchantments can be added. There is a probability of <math>\frac{value}{50}</math>, and if it succeeds, a new candidate is randomly selected based on weight, incompatible candidates are removed, the <math>value</math> is divided by <math>2</math> and rounded down, and it repeats until the chance fails or no candidates remain.

Bookshelf placement

Nearby Minecraft:bookshelves raise the available enchantment levels; without any bookshelves, the experience level requirement never exceeds 8. The maximum number of bookshelves affecting enchantment level is 15.

In order to have an effect, a Minecraft:bookshelf must be placed exactly 2 blocks, laterally, off the enchanting table and be on the same level or one block height above the table. Additionally, the bookshelf must not be blocked. The meaning of "blocked" differs in both Template:Els.

Bedrock Edition

The 2-high space between the bookshelf and table must be Minecraft:air (even a torch, snow cover or carpet blocks the effect), where "between" is as shown in the following diagrams (the blank spaces are air, and the Template:BlockSprite do not matter):

Like this from the top:	Template:BlockGrid	or	Template:BlockGrid
and like this from the side:	Template:BlockGrid	or	Template:BlockGrid

Java Edition

The space between the bookshelf and table at the height of the bookshelf must be Minecraft:air or a replaceable block like snow or grass. For corner bookshelves, the space between is 1 block diagonal from the enchanting table; for all other bookshelves, the gap must be to the side of the enchanting table. This is illustrated in the following diagrams (the blank spaces are air, and the Template:BlockSprite do not matter):

Like this from the top:	Template:BlockGrid	or	Template:BlockGrid
and like this from the side:	Template:BlockGrid	or	Template:BlockGrid

The glyph particles, which fly from bookshelves, follow different rules and may appear even if the bookshelves are not enhancing the table.

There are many possible bookshelf arrangements that can reach the enchantment limit. A simple method is to surround the enchanting table with a 1-block high square of bookshelves with an empty space anywhere on the perimeter: Template:BlockGrid Another alternative that is now available is to build a 'library corner' where each bookshelf is two blocks high, as in the plan below. This arrangement gives space for 16 shelves, which is one more than needed, so if the corner bookshelf column cannot be seen, removing one of the two bookshelves in that does not have any effect, either technically or visually. Template:BlockGrid

Selecting an enchantment level

As enchantments offered depend on the enchantment level and the enchantment level depends on the number of active bookshelves, an easy way to change the enchantments offered is to disable bookshelves by placing torches between them and the enchanting table. That way one can still have the entire 'ring' of bookshelves around the table but get lower-level enchantments. Breaking the torches restores the effect of the bookshelves.

Bedrock Edition

File:Enchantment table bookshelf placement.png

With the layout shown here, enchantments with any number of bookshelves from 0 to 15 may be easily obtained:

Java Edition

File:Enchantment table bookshelf placement 1.18.2.png

With the layout shown here, enchantments with any number of bookshelves from 0 to 15 may be easily obtained:

Receivable enchantments

Item	Enchantment	Compatibility	Weight	Level I value	Level II value	Level III value	Level IV value	Level V value
Template:ItemLink	Minecraft:Aqua Affinity		2	1–41
	Minecraft:Respiration		2	10–19	20–29	30–60
	Minecraft:ThornsTemplate:Only		1	10–29	30–49	50–100
	Minecraft:Unbreaking		5	5–12	13–20	21–71
	Minecraft:Blast Protection	Template:Tc	2	5–12	13–20	21–28	29–37
	Minecraft:Fire Protection	5	10–17	18–25	26–33	34–42
	Minecraft:Projectile Protection	5	3–8	9–14	15–20	21–27
	Minecraft:Protection	10	5–12	13–20	21–28	29–37
Template:ItemLink	Minecraft:Thorns		1	10–29	30–49	50–100
	Minecraft:Unbreaking		5	5–12	13–20	21–71
	Minecraft:Blast Protection	Template:Tc	2	5–12	13–20	21–28	29–37
	Minecraft:Fire Protection	5	10–17	18–25	26–33	34–42
	Minecraft:Projectile Protection	5	3–8	9–14	15–20	21–27
	Minecraft:Protection	10	5–12	13–20	21–28	29–37
Template:ItemLink	Minecraft:ThornsTemplate:Only		1	10–29	30–49	50–100
	Minecraft:Unbreaking		5	5–12	13–20	21–71
	Minecraft:Blast Protection	Template:Tc	2	5–12	13–20	21–28	29–37
	Minecraft:Fire Protection	5	10–17	18–25	26–33	34–42
	Minecraft:Projectile Protection	5	3–8	9–14	15–20	21–27
	Minecraft:Protection	10	5–12	13–20	21–28	29–37
Template:ItemLink	Minecraft:Feather Falling		5	5–10	11–16	17–22	23–29
	Minecraft:ThornsTemplate:Only		1	10–29	30–49	50–100
	Minecraft:Unbreaking		5	5–12	13–20	21–71
	Minecraft:Blast Protection	Template:Tc	2	5–12	13–20	21–28	29–37
	Minecraft:Fire Protection	5	10–17	18–25	26–33	34–42
	Minecraft:Projectile Protection	5	3–8	9–14	15–20	21–27
	Minecraft:Protection	10	5–12	13–20	21–28	29–37
	Minecraft:Depth Strider	Template:Tc	2	10–19	20–29	30–45
Template:ItemLink	Minecraft:Fire Aspect		2	10–19	20–80
	Minecraft:Knockback		5	5–24	25–75
	Minecraft:Looting		2	15–23	24–32	33–83
	Minecraft:Sweeping EdgeTemplate:Only		2	5–13	14–22	23–38
	Minecraft:Unbreaking		5	5–12	13–20	21–71
	Minecraft:Bane of Arthropods	Template:Tc	5	5–12	13–20	21–28	29–36	37–57
	Minecraft:Sharpness	10	1–11	12–22	23–33	34–44	45–65
	Minecraft:Smite	5	5–12	13–20	21–28	29–36	37–57
Template:ItemLink	Minecraft:Fire Aspect		2	10–19	20–80
	Minecraft:Knockback		5	5–24	25–75
	Minecraft:Looting		2	15–23	24–32	33–83
	Minecraft:Lunge		5	5–12	13–20	21–41
	Minecraft:Unbreaking		5	5–12	13–20	21–71
	Minecraft:Bane of Arthropods	Template:Tc	5	5–12	13–20	21–28	29–36	37–57
	Minecraft:Sharpness	10	1–11	12–22	23–33	34–44	45–65
	Minecraft:Smite	5	5–12	13–20	21–28	29–36	37–57
Template:ItemLink	Minecraft:CleavingTemplate:Only		2	5–24	25–44	45–65
	Minecraft:Efficiency		10	1–10	11–20	21–30	31–40	41–91
	Minecraft:Unbreaking		5	5–12	13–20	21–71
	Minecraft:Fortune	Template:Tc	2	15–23	24–32	33–83
	Minecraft:Silk Touch	1	15–65
	Minecraft:Bane of ArthropodsTemplate:Only	Template:Tc	5	5–12	13–20	21–28	29–36	37–57
	Minecraft:SharpnessTemplate:Only	10	1–11	12–22	23–33	34–44	45–65
	Minecraft:SmiteTemplate:Only	5	5–12	13–20	21–28	29–36	37–57
Template:ItemLink Template:ItemLink Template:ItemLink	Minecraft:Efficiency		10	1–10	11–20	21–30	31–40	41–91
	Minecraft:Unbreaking		5	5–12	13–20	21–71
	Minecraft:Fortune	Template:Tc	2	15–23	24–32	33–83
	Minecraft:Silk Touch	1	15–65
Template:ItemLink	Minecraft:Flame		2	20–50
	Minecraft:Power		10	1–10	11–20	21–30	31–40	41–56
	Minecraft:Punch		2	12–31	32–57
	Minecraft:Unbreaking		5	5–12	13–20	21–71
	Minecraft:Infinity	Template:Tc	1	20–50
Template:ItemLink	Minecraft:Quick Charge		5	12–31	32–50
	Minecraft:Unbreaking		5	5–12	13–20	21–71
	Minecraft:Multishot	Template:Tc	2	20–50
	Minecraft:Piercing	10	1–10	11–20	21–30	31–50
Template:ItemLink	Minecraft:Luck of the Sea		2	15–23	24–32	33–83
	Minecraft:Lure		2	15–23	24–32	33–83
	Minecraft:Unbreaking		5	5–12	13–20	21–71
Template:ItemLink	Minecraft:Impaling		2	1–8	9–16	17–24	25–32	33–53
	Minecraft:Unbreaking		5	5–12	13–20	21–71
	Minecraft:Channeling	Template:Tc	1	25–50
	Minecraft:Loyalty	5	12–18	19–25	26–50
	Minecraft:Riptide	Template:Tc	2	17–23	24–30	31–50
Template:ItemLink	Minecraft:Fire Aspect		2	10–19	20–80
	Minecraft:Unbreaking		5	5–12	13–20	21–71
	Minecraft:Wind Burst		2	15–23	24–32	33–83
	Minecraft:Breach	Template:Tc	2	15–23	24–32	33–41	42–92
	Minecraft:Density	5	5–12	13–20	21–28	29–36	37–57
Template:ItemLink	Minecraft:Aqua Affinity		2	1–41
	Minecraft:Efficiency		10	1–10	11–20	21–30	31–40	41–91
	Minecraft:Feather Falling		5	5–10	11–16	17–22	23–29
	Minecraft:Fire Aspect		2	10–19	20–80
	Minecraft:Flame		2	20–50
	Minecraft:Impaling		2	1–8	9–16	17–24	25–32	33–53
	Minecraft:Knockback		5	5–24	25–75
	Minecraft:Looting		2	15–23	24–32	33–83
	Minecraft:Luck of the Sea		2	15–23	24–32	33–83
	Minecraft:Lunge		5	5–12	13–20	21–41
	Minecraft:Lure		2	15–23	24–32	33–83
	Minecraft:Power		10	1–10	11–20	21–30	31–40	41–56
	Minecraft:Punch		2	12–31	32–57
	Minecraft:Quick Charge		5	12–31	32–50
	Minecraft:Respiration		2	10–19	20–29	30–60
	Minecraft:Sweeping EdgeTemplate:Only		2	5–13	14–22	23–38
	Minecraft:Thorns		1	10–29	30–49	50–100
	Minecraft:Unbreaking		5	5–12	13–20	21–71
	Minecraft:Wind Burst		2	15–23	24–32	33–83
	Minecraft:Bane of Arthropods	Template:Tc	5	5–12	13–20	21–28	29–36	37–57
	Minecraft:Breach	2	15–23	24–32	33–41	42–92
	Minecraft:CleavingTemplate:Only	2	5–24	25–44	45–65
	Minecraft:Density	5	5–12	13–20	21–28	29–36	37–57
	Minecraft:Sharpness	10	1–11	12–22	23–33	34–44	45–65
	Minecraft:Smite	5	5–12	13–20	21–28	29–36	37–57
	Minecraft:Blast Protection	Template:Tc	2	5–12	13–20	21–28	29–37
	Minecraft:Fire Protection	5	10–17	18–25	26–33	34–42
	Minecraft:Projectile Protection	5	3–8	9–14	15–20	21–27
	Minecraft:Protection	10	5–12	13–20	21–28	29–37
	Minecraft:Channeling	Template:Tc	1	25–50
	Minecraft:Loyalty	5	12–18	19–25	26–50
	Minecraft:Riptide	Template:Tc	2	17–23	24–30	31–50
	Minecraft:Depth Strider	Template:Tc	2	10–19	20–29	30–45
	Minecraft:Fortune	Template:Tc	2	15–23	24–32	33–83
	Minecraft:Silk Touch	1	15–65
	Minecraft:Infinity	Template:Tc	1	20–50
	Minecraft:Multishot	Template:Tc	2	20–50
	Minecraft:Piercing	10	1–10	11–20	21–30	31–50

Enchanting seed

The Minecraft:enchantments that Minecraft:enchanting tables offer are determined using the enchanting seed that is stored under Template:Code in each player's data. After enchanting an item, the player's seed is regenerated, resulting in different enchantments.

This means enchanting tables with the same number of nearby bookshelves will offer the same enchantments for all items with the same enchantability and the same possible enchantments (same item-type or one of pickaxes, shovels or hoes) until an item is enchanted.

Initial seed

Template:Exclusive When joining a world for the first time, the seed is initialized to Template:Code, however when joining a world with an already present enchanting seed of Template:Code, it will be regenerated.<ref>Template:Bug</ref>

This meaning leaving and rejoining a world for the first time gives new enchantments without enchanting an item, and the first enchantment before ever leaving a world will always give the same enchantment for the same item-bookshelves-combination,
such as Minecraft:Looting III and Minecraft:Unbreaking III for a Minecraft:Netherite Sword with 15 bookshelves.

External links

• https://github.com/SeeYou-Man/Minecraft-Enchantment-Probabilities – A GitHub project currently in progress to calculate the probability to get specific enchantments, Feel free help out. Probability for 1.21 enchants are generated with 100k enchants for Item and material combo. Host your own server for now (Should work with a maybe 70+% functionality as of 22/11/2025 - SeeYouMan).
• https://web.archive.org/web/20181019012113/http://minecraftenchantmentcalculator.com/rev6/ (archived) – Tests enchantments by simulating probability of getting specific enchantments on a tool based on level and (optionally) the "clue" shown
• https://minecraft.tools/en/enchant.php – Provides some ability to test enchantments, although its interface is significantly less verbose on the specifics
• https://github.com/Earthcomputer/EnchantmentCracker – Cracks the XP seed and lets you choose the exact enchantments you want, though the process is highly tedious and error-prone. Deprecated in favor of clientcommands