How to make a Book in Minecraft

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

In Minecraft, a book is an important basic item in your inventory. Books can be used to make enchanted books or bookshelves.

book

Let's explore how to make a book.

Supported Platforms

A book is available in the following versions of Minecraft:

Platform	Supported (Version*)
Java Edition (PC/Mac)	Yes
Pocket Edition (PE)	Yes
Xbox 360	Yes
Xbox One	Yes
PS3	Yes
PS4	Yes
Wii U	Yes
Nintendo Switch	Yes
Windows 10 Edition	Yes (0.12.1)
Education Edition	Yes

* 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 Book in Creative Mode

Minecraft Java Edition (PC/Mac)

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

Platform	Version(s)	Creative Menu Location
Java Edition (PC/Mac)	1.8 - 1.19	Miscellaneous
Java Edition (PC/Mac)	1.19.3 - 1.20	Ingredients

Minecraft Pocket Edition (PE)

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

Platform	Version(s)	Creative Menu Location
Pocket Edition (PE)	0.14.1 - 1.1.3	Miscellaneous
Pocket Edition (PE)	1.2 - 1.20.0	Items

Minecraft Xbox Editions

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

Platform	Version(s)	Creative Menu Location
Xbox 360	TU35 - TU69	Miscellaneous
Xbox One	CU23 - CU43	Miscellaneous
Xbox One	1.2.5 - 1.20.0	Items

Minecraft PS Editions

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

Platform	Version(s)	Creative Menu Location
PS3	1.26 - 1.76	Miscellaneous
PS4	1.26 - 1.91	Miscellaneous
PS4	1.14.0 - 1.20.0	Items

Minecraft Nintendo

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

Platform	Version(s)	Creative Menu Location
Wii U	Patch 3 - Patch 38	Miscellaneous
Nintendo Switch	1.04 - 1.11	Miscellaneous
Nintendo Switch	1.5.0 - 1.20.0	Items

Minecraft Windows 10 Edition

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

Platform	Version(s)	Creative Menu Location
Windows 10 Edition	0.14.1 - 1.1.3	Miscellaneous
Windows 10 Edition	1.2 - 1.20.0	Items

Minecraft Education Edition

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

Platform	Version(s)	Creative Menu Location
Education Edition	0.14.2 - 1.0.18	Miscellaneous
Education Edition	1.0.21 - 1.17.30	Items

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 Book

These are the materials you can use to craft a book in Minecraft:

3 Papers

1 Leather

How to craft a Book 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 Book

In the crafting menu, you should see a crafting area that is made up of a 3x3 crafting grid. To make a book, place 3 papers and 1 leather in the 3x3 crafting grid.

When making a book, it is important that the papers and leather are placed in the exact pattern as the image below. In the first row, there should be 1 paper in the first box, 1 paper in the second box, and 1 paper in the third box. In the second row, there should be 1 leather in the first box. This is the Minecraft crafting recipe for a book.

Crafting recipe for book

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

book

3. Move the Book to Inventory

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

Completed book