How to make a Clay Ball in Minecraft

This Minecraft tutorial explains how to craft a clay ball (formerly called clay) with screenshots and step-by-step instructions.

In Minecraft, a clay ball is an item that you can not make with a crafting table or furnace. Instead, you need to find and gather this item in the game.

clay ball

Let's explore how to add a clay ball to your inventory.

Supported Platforms

A clay ball 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
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 Clay Ball in Creative Mode

Minecraft Java Edition (PC/Mac)

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

Platform	Version(s)	Creative Menu Location
Java Edition (PC/Mac)	1.8 - 1.11	Materials
Java Edition (PC/Mac)	1.12 - 1.19	Miscellaneous
Java Edition (PC/Mac)	1.19.3 - 1.20	Ingredients

Minecraft Pocket Edition (PE)

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

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

Minecraft PS Editions

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

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

Minecraft Nintendo

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

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

Minecraft Windows 10 Edition

Here is where you can find a clay ball 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 clay ball 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.

How to get a Clay Ball in Survival Mode

You can add a clay ball to your inventory in Survival mode by finding a block of clay to dig up. So, let's get started!

1. Find a Block of Clay

First, you need to find a block of clay to dig up. You can usually find clay under the water.

clay and shovel

2. Hold a Shovel

You can only get clay by digging up a block of clay with a shovel. Select one of these shovels in your hotbar:

How to make a Netherite Shovel

How to make a Diamond Shovel

How to make a Golden Shovel

How to make an Iron Shovel

How to make a Stone Shovel

How to make a Wooden Shovel

In this example, we are going to use a wooden shovel to dig up the clay.

3. Dig up the Block of Clay

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

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

clay dropped

You will need to continue to dig until the block breaks and clay balls finally appear.

4. Pick up the Clay

Make sure you pick up the clay balls before they disappear.

clay gathered

Once you pick up the clay balls, they will appear in your hotbar.

clay