How to Dig in Minecraft

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

In Minecraft, you can dig blocks to add them to your inventory or just to move them out of your way if you are creating your own structures. Let's explore how to dig.

Steps to Dig

1. Item to Use

In Minecraft, you can dig with your hand or with a tool/object.

When you first get started, you only have your hand to dig with. Along the bottom of your screen is a hotbar of the items that you are carrying. The box in the hotbar that is highlighted is the item that you are holding in your hand.

In this tutorial, we have nothing selected in the hotbar so we will be digging with our hand.

2. Target the Block

Next, position your pointer (the plus sign) on the block that you want to dig up. You should see the block become highlighted in your game window.

In this example, we are going to dig up a grass block which will give us dirt.

3. Mine the Block

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

• For Java Edition (PC/Mac), left click and hold on the block.
• For Pocket Edition (PE), you tap and hold on the block.
• 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 block.
• For Education Edition, left click and hold on the block.

You will need to continue to dig until the block breaks. The block of dirt will float on the ground.

4. Pick up the Item

Make sure you pick up the dirt before it disappears.

Once you pick up the dirt, it will appear in the first empty box in your hotbar.

Dirt is a useful item and should be kept in your inventory to be used later.

Congratulations, you just learned how to dig in Minecraft.