How to make a Turtle Shell in Minecraft

This Minecraft tutorial explains how to craft a turtle shell with screenshots and step-by-step instructions.

In Minecraft, a turtle shell is a new armor item that will be available in the Aquatic Update (Java Edition 1.13). It is worn on your head like a helmet and gives +2 armor.

turtle shell

Wear the turtle shell outside of the water or in a bubble column to add the Water Breathing effect to the turtle shell for 10 seconds.

turtle shell with water breathing effect

This Water Breathing effect will start once you go underwater (this means that the air bubbles in your status bar will not start popping until after the Water Breathing effect has worn off).

TIP: Go back up above the water or into a bubble column to keep adding back 10 seconds of Water Breathing to the turtle shell you're wearing.

Let's explore how to make a turtle shell.

Supported Platforms

A turtle shell is available in the following versions of Minecraft:

Platform	Supported (Version*)
Java Edition (PC/Mac)	Yes (1.13)
Pocket Edition (PE)	Yes (1.5.0)
Xbox 360	Yes (TU69)
Xbox One	Yes (1.5.0)
PS3	Yes (1.76)
PS4	Yes (1.76)
Wii U	Yes (Patch 38)
Nintendo Switch	Yes (1.5.0)
Windows 10 Edition	Yes (1.5.0)
Education Edition	Yes (1.7.0)

* The version that it was added or removed, if applicable.
NOTE: Pocket Edition (PE), Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch, and Windows 10 Edition are now called Bedrock Edition. We will continue to show them individually for version history.

Where to find a Turtle Shell in Creative Mode

Minecraft Java Edition (PC/Mac)

Here is where you can find a turtle shell in the Creative Inventory menu:

Platform	Version(s)	Creative Menu Location
Java Edition (PC/Mac)	1.13 - 1.20	Combat
Java Edition (PC/Mac)	1.19.3 - 1.20	Ingredients

Minecraft Pocket Edition (PE)

Here is where you can find a turtle shell in the Creative Inventory menu:

Platform	Version(s)	Creative Menu Location
Pocket Edition (PE)	1.5.0 - 1.19.83	Equipment

Minecraft Xbox Editions

Here is where you can find a turtle shell in the Creative Inventory menu:

Platform	Version(s)	Creative Menu Location
Xbox 360	TU69	Tools, Weapons and Armor
Xbox One	1.5.0 - 1.19.83	Equipment

Minecraft PS Editions

Here is where you can find a turtle shell in the Creative Inventory menu:

Platform	Version(s)	Creative Menu Location
PS3	1.76	Tools, Weapons and Armor
PS4	1.76 - 1.91	Tools, Weapons and Armor
PS4	1.14.0 - 1.19.83	Equipment

Minecraft Nintendo

Here is where you can find a turtle shell in the Creative Inventory menu:

Platform	Version(s)	Creative Menu Location
Wii U	Patch 38	Tools, Weapons and Armor
Nintendo Switch	1.5.0 - 1.19.83	Equipment

Minecraft Windows 10 Edition

Here is where you can find a turtle shell in the Creative Inventory menu:

Platform	Version(s)	Creative Menu Location
Windows 10 Edition	1.5.0 - 1.19.83	Equipment

Minecraft Education Edition

Here is where you can find a turtle shell in the Creative Inventory menu:

Platform	Version(s)	Creative Menu Location
Education Edition	1.7.0 - 1.17.30	Equipment

Definitions

Platform is the platform that applies.
Version(s) is the Minecraft version numbers where the item can be found in the menu location listed (we have tested and confirmed this version number).
Creative Menu Location is the location of the item in the Creative Inventory menu.

Required Materials to make a Turtle Shell

In Minecraft, these are the materials you can use to craft a turtle shell:

5 Scutes

How to craft a Turtle Shell in Survival Mode

1. Open the Crafting Menu

First, open your crafting table so that you have the 3x3 crafting grid that looks like this:

3x3 crafting area

2. Add Items to make a Turtle Shell

In the crafting menu, you should see a crafting area that is made up of a 3x3 crafting grid. To make a turtle shell, place 5 scutes in the 3x3 crafting grid.

When making a turtle shell, it is important that the scutes are placed in the exact pattern as the image below. There should be 3 scutes in the first row and 2 scutes in the second row at either sides (the middle box should be left empty). This is the Minecraft crafting recipe for a turtle shell.

Crafting recipe for turtle shell

Now that you have filled the crafting area with the correct pattern, the turtle shell will appear in the box to the right.

turtle shell

3. Move the Turtle Shell to Inventory

Once you have crafted a turtle shell, you need to move the new item to your inventory.

Completed turtle shell