How to make Iron Ore in Minecraft

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

In Minecraft, iron ore 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.

iron ore

Let's explore how to add iron ore to your inventory.

Supported Platforms

Iron ore 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 Iron Ore in Creative Mode

Minecraft Java Edition (PC/Mac)

Here is where you can find iron ore in the Creative Inventory menu:

Platform	Version(s)	Creative Menu Location
Java Edition (PC/Mac)	1.8 - 1.19	Building Blocks
Java Edition (PC/Mac)	1.19.3 - 1.20	Natural Blocks

Minecraft Pocket Edition (PE)

Here is where you can find iron ore in the Creative Inventory menu:

Platform	Version(s)	Creative Menu Location
Pocket Edition (PE)	0.14.1 - 1.1.3	Building Blocks
Pocket Edition (PE)	1.2 - 1.20.0	Nature

Minecraft Xbox Editions

Here is where you can find iron ore in the Creative Inventory menu:

Platform	Version(s)	Creative Menu Location
Xbox 360	TU35 - TU69	Building Blocks
Xbox One	CU23 - CU43	Building Blocks
Xbox One	1.2.5 - 1.20.0	Nature

Minecraft PS Editions

Here is where you can find iron ore in the Creative Inventory menu:

Platform	Version(s)	Creative Menu Location
PS3	1.26 - 1.76	Building Blocks
PS4	1.26 - 1.91	Building Blocks
PS4	1.14.0 - 1.20.0	Nature

Minecraft Nintendo

Here is where you can find iron ore in the Creative Inventory menu:

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

Minecraft Windows 10 Edition

Here is where you can find iron ore in the Creative Inventory menu:

Platform	Version(s)	Creative Menu Location
Windows 10 Edition	0.14.1 - 1.1.3	Building Blocks
Windows 10 Edition	1.2 - 1.20.0	Nature

Minecraft Education Edition

Here is where you can find iron ore in the Creative Inventory menu:

Platform	Version(s)	Creative Menu Location
Education Edition	0.14.2 - 1.0.18	Building Blocks
Education Edition	1.0.21 - 1.17.30	Nature

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 Iron Ore in Survival Mode

You can add iron ore to your inventory in Survival mode by mining iron ore. So, let's get started!

1. Find a Block of Iron Ore

First, let's explore where to find iron ore. In Minecraft, iron ore is easy to find and is found in large deposits. You can usually find iron ore in the Overworld at y-coordinates between 1 and 63.

iron ore location

In this example, we are going to dig into a mountain to find iron ore.

This is what a block of iron ore looks like:

iron ore and pickaxe

2. Hold a Pickaxe

To mine iron ore, you need to dig up the iron ore with a diamond pickaxe, iron pickaxe, stone pickaxe, or netherite pickaxe.

How to make a Netherite Pickaxe

How to make a Diamond Pickaxe

How to make an Iron Pickaxe

How to make a Stone Pickaxe

Other tools will not dig up the iron ore and let you add it to your inventory.

In this example, we are going to use a diamond pickaxe to dig up the iron ore.

3. Mine the Block of Iron Ore

The game control to mine the block of iron ore depends on the version of Minecraft:

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

iron ore dropped

You will need to continue to dig until the block breaks and a smaller block of iron ore finally appears. The block of iron ore will float on the ground.

4. Pick up the Iron Ore

Make sure you pick up the iron ore before it disappears.

iron ore gathered

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

iron ore