How to make a Respawn Anchor in Minecraft

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

In Minecraft, a respawn anchor was introduced in the Nether Update and allows you to reset your spawnpoint in the Nether (instead of respawning in the Overworld when you die). Watch the video below as we take you through the basics of how to craft and use a respawn anchor.

respawn anchor

Let's explore how to make a respawn anchor.

Supported Platforms

A respawn anchor is available in the following versions of Minecraft:

Platform	Supported (Version*)
Java Edition (PC/Mac)	Yes (1.16)
Pocket Edition (PE)	Yes (1.16.0)
Xbox 360	No
Xbox One	Yes (1.16.0)
PS3	No
PS4	Yes (1.16.0)
Wii U	No
Nintendo Switch	Yes (1.16.0)
Windows 10 Edition	Yes (1.16.0)
Education Edition	Yes (1.17.30)

* 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 Respawn Anchor in Creative Mode

Minecraft Java Edition (PC/Mac)

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

Platform	Version(s)	Creative Menu Location
Java Edition (PC/Mac)	1.16 - 1.19	Decoration Blocks
Java Edition (PC/Mac)	1.19.3 - 1.20	Functional Blocks

Minecraft Pocket Edition (PE)

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

Platform	Version(s)	Creative Menu Location
Pocket Edition (PE)	1.16.0 - 1.20.0	Items

Minecraft Xbox Editions

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

Platform	Version(s)	Creative Menu Location
Xbox One	1.16.0 - 1.20.0	Items

Minecraft PS Editions

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

Platform	Version(s)	Creative Menu Location
PS4	1.16.0 - 1.20.0	Items

Minecraft Nintendo

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

Platform	Version(s)	Creative Menu Location
Nintendo Switch	1.16.0 - 1.20.0	Items

Minecraft Windows 10 Edition

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

Platform	Version(s)	Creative Menu Location
Windows 10 Edition	1.16.0 - 1.20.0	Items

Minecraft Education Edition

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

Platform	Version(s)	Creative Menu Location
Education Edition	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 Respawn Anchor

In Minecraft, these are the materials you can use to craft a respawn anchor:

3 Glowstones

6 Crying Obsidian

How to craft a Respawn Anchor 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 Respawn Anchor

In the crafting menu, you should see a crafting area that is made up of a 3x3 crafting grid. To make a respawn anchor, place 3 glowstone and 6 crying obsidian in the 3x3 crafting grid.

When making a respawn anchor, it is important that the glowstone and crying obsidian are placed in the exact pattern as the image below. In the first row, there should be 3 crying obsidian. In the second row, there should be 3 glowstone. In the third row, there should be 3 crying obsidian. This is the Minecraft crafting recipe for a respawn anchor.

Crafting recipe for respawn anchor

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

respawn anchor

3. Move the Respawn Anchor to Inventory

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

Completed respawn anchor