Updated 25 October 2026. Facts on this page come from minecraft.wiki, minecraft.net and the live Artemis PvP server; sources are listed at the bottom.
Bells in Minecraft: What They Do
A bell sits at the meeting point of every village. Ring it by hand, with a projectile or with redstone, and every villager within 32 blocks runs to a bed. On Java it also makes raid mobs within 48 blocks glow for 3 seconds if one is close. Bells cannot be crafted, only found, bought from villagers or mined with a pickaxe.
How do you ring a bell?
- Use it from the side; some angles do nothing for players.
- Shoot it with an arrow or other projectile.
- Give it a redstone signal; on Java it rings once per signal.
- On Bedrock, dropping an item on it also works.
How do bells help in a raid?
When the first wave arrives on Java, a villager runs to ring the bell, warning the others. Ring it yourself to send villagers indoors and, on Java, to light up hidden pillagers so you can find the last ones. Raid guide: raids.
How do you get a bell?
Mine one in a village with a pickaxe, or buy one from an armorer, toolsmith or weaponsmith at apprentice level; see armorer trades. Bells are only renewable through trading.
Why do villagers care about bells?
A claimed bell marks the village center, along with beds and job blocks. Villagers gather near it in the afternoon, and a bell within 48 blocks can be claimed by them. Moving the bell can change where a village is centered; see villages.
Where can you place a bell?
On the top, bottom or side of a block, hanging from a ceiling, or between two blocks. It breaks and drops if the block holding it is broken or pushed. Piglins run to pick up a dropped bell, since it counts as gold; see piglins.
Frequently asked questions
Can you craft a bell in Minecraft?
No. Bells are found in villages or bought from villagers.
Sources
Every fact on this page was checked against these pages; the wording is ours.