How to make Obsidian in Minecraft

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

In Minecraft, obsidian is one of the many building blocks that you can make.

obsidian

Let's explore how to make obsidian.

Supported Platforms

Obsidian is available in the following versions of Minecraft:

PlatformSupported (Version*)
Java Edition (PC/Mac) Java Edition (PC/Mac)Yes
Pocket Edition (PE) Pocket Edition (PE)Yes
Xbox 360 Xbox 360Yes
Xbox One Xbox OneYes
PS3 PS3Yes
PS4 PS4Yes
Wii U Wii UYes
Nintendo Switch Nintendo SwitchYes
Windows 10 Edition Windows 10 EditionYes
Education Edition Education EditionYes

* 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 Obsidian in Creative Mode

Required Materials to make Obsidian

In Minecraft, these are the materials you can use to craft obsidian:

How to get Obsidian in Survival Mode

You can add obsidian to your inventory in Survival mode by pouring a bucket of water on lava and then mining the resulting obsidian. So let's get started!

1. Find Lava

First, you need to find lava in your Minecraft world.

make obsidian

2. Use the Water Bucket on the Lava

Next, select a water bucket in your hotbar and then pour the water bucket onto the lava. The game control to use the water bucket depends on the version of Minecraft:

  • For Java Edition (PC/Mac), right click on the block next to the lava.
  • For Pocket Edition (PE), you tap on the block next to the lava.
  • For Xbox 360 and Xbox One, press the LT button on the Xbox controller.
  • For PS3 and PS4, press the L2 button on the PS controller.
  • For Wii U, press the ZL button on the gamepad.
  • For Nintendo Switch, press the ZL button on the controller.
  • For Windows 10 Edition, right click on the block next to the lava.
  • For Education Edition, right click on the block next to the lava.

make obsidian

You will see the water cover the lava and the lava will turn into obsidian. Depending on how large the lava source is, not all of the lava will turn to obsidian.

3. Put the Water back in the Bucket

Next, put the water back into the bucket. The game control to collect the water back into the bucket depends on the version of Minecraft:

  • For Java Edition (PC/Mac), right click on the water.
  • For Pocket Edition (PE), you tap on the water.
  • For Xbox 360 and Xbox One, press the LT button on the Xbox controller.
  • For PS3 and PS4, press the L2 button on the PS controller.
  • For Wii U, press the ZL button on the gamepad.
  • For Nintendo Switch, press the ZL button on the controller.
  • For Windows 10 Edition, right click on the water.
  • For Education Edition, right click on the water.

make obsidian

Now the water should be back in your bucket and the obsidian will be showing.

4. Hold a Diamond or Netherite Pickaxe

Next, you will need a diamond pickaxe or netherite pickaxe to mine the obsidian. Select the pickaxe in your hotbar so that you are holding it in your hand.

Other tools will not dig up the obsidian.

5. Mine the Obsidian

The game control to mine the obsidian depends on the version of Minecraft:

  • For Java Edition (PC/Mac), left click and hold on the obsidian.
  • For Pocket Edition (PE), you tap and hold on the obsidian.
  • For Xbox 360 and Xbox One, press and hold the RT button on the Xbox controller.
  • For PS3 and PS4, press and hold the R2 button on the PS controller.
  • For Wii U, press and hold the ZR button on the gamepad.
  • For Nintendo Switch, press and hold the ZR button on the controller.
  • For Windows 10 Edition, left click and hold on the obsidian.
  • For Education Edition, left click and hold on the obsidian.

completed obsidian

You will need to continue to mine until the obsidian block breaks and a smaller obsidian finally appears. The obsidian will float on the ground.

6. Pick up the Obsidian

Make sure you pick up the obsidian before it disappears.

Once you pick up the obsidian, it will appear in your hotbar.

obsidian

Congratulations, you have made obsidian in Minecraft!

Item ID and Name

Give Command for Obsidian

Things to Make with Obsidian

You can use obsidian to make items in Minecraft such as:

Things to Do with Obsidian

Here are some activities that you can do with obsidian in Minecraft: