How to Enchant with an Anvil in Minecraft

This Minecraft tutorial explains how to enchant an item using an anvil with screenshots and step-by-step instructions.

In Minecraft, you can add powers to an item by enchanting it. Enchantments can be added to items using an enchanting table, anvil, or game command.

Let's explore how to enchant an item using an anvil and an enchanted book.

Required Materials to Enchant with an Anvil

In Minecraft, these are the materials you can use to enchant an item with an anvil:

Steps to Enchant an Item with an Anvil

1. Place the Anvil

Once you have the required materials, add the anvil to your hotbar so that it is an item that you can use.

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

how to enchant with anvil

The game control to place the anvil depends on the version of Minecraft:

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

2. Use the Anvil

To use the anvil, you need to stand in front of it.

how to enchant with anvil

The game control to use the anvil depends on the version of Minecraft:

  • For Java Edition (PC/Mac), right click on the anvil.
  • For Pocket Edition (PE), you tap on the anvil.
  • 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 anvil.
  • For Education Edition, right click on the anvil.

Now your anvil is open and you can see the Repair & Name menu.

how to enchant with anvil

3. Enchant the Item

To enchant an item, you need an enchanted book and an item to enchant such as a weapon, tool, or armor. In this example, we have placed an iron sword in the first slot and an enchanted book (Sharpness V) in the second slot.

In the third slot, you will see the enchanted iron sword. It will cost 5 experience levels to enchant the iron sword.

how to enchant with anvil

4. Move the Enchanted Item to Inventory

Now, move the enchanted iron sword from the third slot to your inventory hotbar.

TIP: If you hover over the enchanted item, you will see the name and level of the enchantment.

how to enchant with anvil

In this example, the sword has been enchanted with Sharpness V and will have attack damage of 12.25.

Congratulations, you just learned how to enchant an item using an anvil in Minecraft.