Updated 23 October 2026. Facts on this page come from minecraft.wiki, minecraft.net and the live Artemis PvP server; sources are listed at the bottom.
Zombies in Minecraft: Drops, Doors and Variants
Zombies are the most common hostile mob: 20 HP, they burn in sunlight, chase you from 35 blocks, and drop rotten flesh plus a small chance of iron, carrots or potatoes. On Hard they can break wooden doors and call reinforcements, and a zombie that drowns turns into a drowned.
How strong is a zombie?
A zombie has 20 HP and spots players from 35 blocks away (half that if you wear a zombie head). It hits harder when holding a weapon, adding the weapon's damage to its punch. It burns in direct sunlight unless it wears a helmet, stands in water or shade. Baby zombies make up 5% of zombies: just as much health, much faster, they fit through 1x1 gaps and never grow up.
What do zombies drop?
| Drop | Chance (no Looting) |
|---|---|
| Rotten flesh (0-2) | 66.67% |
| Iron ingot | 0.83% |
| Carrot | 0.83% |
| Potato or baked potato | 0.83% |
| Its spawned equipment | 8.5% per item |
Adults give 5 experience and babies 12, plus 1-3 per item of equipment. On Java, Looting raises every chance; see experience.
Can zombies break doors?
Only on Hard. Up to 10% of zombies chasing a target can path through closed wooden and copper doors, and on Hard they break them in about 10 seconds. On Hard, a hurt zombie can also call reinforcements of the same type (Java only).
What zombie variants are there?
- Husk: replaces most zombies in deserts (80% on Java, 70% on Bedrock); a drowning husk turns into a zombie.
- Drowned: a zombie whose head stays underwater for 30 seconds starts shaking and becomes a drowned 15 seconds later.
- Zombie villager: 5% of zombies; you can cure them, see curing a zombie villager.
- Chicken jockey: a baby zombie riding a chicken.
Do zombies attack villagers?
Yes. Zombies hunt villagers from 35 blocks or more and can see them through walls. A villager killed by a zombie turns into a zombie villager: never on Easy, 50% of the time on Normal and always on Hard. Iron golems fight back; see golems.
Are there zombie enemies on ArtemisPvP?
Frequently asked questions
Can zombies break doors in Minecraft?
Only on Hard difficulty, and only wooden and copper doors.
How long until a zombie turns into a drowned?
Its head must be underwater for 30 seconds; it then converts 15 seconds later.
Sources
Every fact on this page was checked against these pages; the wording is ours.