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.
Fences and Fence Gates in Minecraft
Fences are barriers that players and mobs cannot jump over, because their collision box is 1.5 blocks tall even though they look one block high. Craft 3 fences from 4 planks and 2 sticks, and a fence gate from 4 sticks and 2 planks. Fences connect to each other and to solid blocks, and you can tie a lead to a fence post.
How do you craft fences and gates?
| Item | Recipe | Makes |
|---|---|---|
| Wooden fence | 4 planks and 2 sticks | 3 |
| Fence gate | 4 sticks and 2 planks | 1 |
| Nether brick fence | 4 Nether bricks and 2 nether brick items | 6 |
Every wood type has its own fence and gate. Wood types: wood types.
How do fences work?
- They connect to fences of the same family and to solid blocks next to them; wooden fences do not join Nether brick fences, but a fence gate can sit between them.
- You can see through the gaps, but mobs cannot see through them.
- Fence gates open and close by hand or with redstone, and swing away from you.
- Put a carpet on top of a fence and players can jump over it while mobs still cannot, a trick for pens and farms.
Can you tie animals to fences?
Yes: hold a lead attached to an animal and use it on a fence post to tie it there. The animal stays within the lead's range. See leads.
What are fences good for?
Animal pens, farm borders, railings on bridges and balconies, and fences across doorways to stop mobs. A fence gate is the door of a pen; animals cannot open it. Breeding pens: breeding animals. Stone versions: walls.
Frequently asked questions
How many fences does one recipe make?
3 fences from 4 planks and 2 sticks.
Sources
Every fact on this page was checked against these pages; the wording is ours.