How to make a Snowball in Minecraft

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

In Minecraft, a snowball 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.

snowball

Let's explore how to add a snowball to your inventory.

Supported Platforms

A snowball 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 Snowball in Creative Mode

Minecraft Java Edition (PC/Mac)

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

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

Minecraft Pocket Edition (PE)

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

Platform	Version(s)	Creative Menu Location
Pocket Edition (PE)	0.14.1 - 1.1.3	Tools
Pocket Edition (PE)	1.2 - 1.19.83	Equipment

Minecraft Xbox Editions

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

Platform	Version(s)	Creative Menu Location
Xbox 360	TU35 - TU69	Miscellaneous
Xbox One	CU23 - CU43	Miscellaneous
Xbox One	1.2.5 - 1.19.83	Equipment

Minecraft PS Editions

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

Platform	Version(s)	Creative Menu Location
PS3	1.26 - 1.76	Miscellaneous
PS4	1.26 - 1.91	Miscellaneous
PS4	1.14.0 - 1.19.83	Equipment

Minecraft Nintendo

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

Platform	Version(s)	Creative Menu Location
Wii U	Patch 3 - Patch 38	Miscellaneous
Nintendo Switch	1.04 - 1.11	Miscellaneous
Nintendo Switch	1.5.0 - 1.19.83	Equipment

Minecraft Windows 10 Edition

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

Platform	Version(s)	Creative Menu Location
Windows 10 Edition	0.14.1 - 1.1.3	Tools
Windows 10 Edition	1.2 - 1.19.83	Equipment

Minecraft Education Edition

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

Platform	Version(s)	Creative Menu Location
Education Edition	0.14.2 - 1.0.18	Tools
Education Edition	1.0.21 - 1.17.30	Equipment

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 Snowball in Survival Mode

You can add a snowball to your inventory in Survival mode by digging up snow with a shovel. So, let's get started!

1. Find Snow

First, you need to find some snow to dig up.

snowball and shovel

2. Hold a Shovel

You can only get snowballs by digging up the snow with a shovel. These are the shovels you can choose from:

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 snowball.

3. Dig up the Snow

The game control to dig up the snow depends on the version of Minecraft:

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

snowball dropped

You will need to continue to dig until the snow breaks and the snowballs finally appear. The snowballs will float on the ground.

4. Pick up the Snowballs

Make sure you pick up the snowballs before they disappear.

snowball gathered

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

snowball