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.
The Enchanting Table in Minecraft: Recipe and Bookshelves
An enchanting table spends experience levels and lapis lazuli to put random enchantments on tools, armor and books. Craft it from a book, 2 diamonds and 4 obsidian, and surround it with up to 15 bookshelves, one block away with nothing in between, to unlock level 30 enchantments, the strongest the table offers.
How do you make an enchanting table?
Place 4 obsidian, 2 diamonds and a book in a crafting table: obsidian on the bottom and sides, diamonds on the middle row, the book on top. Mine it with a pickaxe or it drops nothing. Obsidian: obsidian. Diamonds: diamonds.
How do bookshelves help?
Each bookshelf placed one block away from the table, at the same height or one higher, with air between, raises its power. 15 bookshelves reach the maximum of level 30 offers. A torch, carpet or other block in the gap blocks a shelf's effect. Bookshelves: books and bookshelves.
How do you enchant an item?
- Put the item in the left slot and lapis lazuli in the right slot.
- Pick one of the three offers; the top costs least, the bottom offers most.
- Each offer uses 1-3 lapis and 1-3 levels, but needs at least the shown level.
- Lapis: lapis lazuli.
Anything else?
The table shows floating glyphs from the bookshelves, and the book on top turns toward you. It is 3/4 of a block tall and the ender dragon can destroy it. Treasure enchantments like Mending never come from the table. Full guide: enchanting.
Frequently asked questions
How many bookshelves do you need for level 30?
15.
Sources
Every fact on this page was checked against these pages; the wording is ours.