How to make Soul Sand in Minecraft

This Minecraft tutorial explains how to craft soul sand with screenshots and step-by-step instructions.

When walking on soul sand, you will sink down a bit and slow down. Soul sand 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.

soul sand

Let's explore how to add soul sand to your inventory.

TIP: When you walk on soul sand, you will move very slowly. So make sure you don't walk across soul sand in the middle of a mob battle.

Supported Platforms

Soul sand is available in the following versions of Minecraft:

Platform	Supported (Version*)
Java Edition (PC/Mac)	Yes
Pocket Edition (PE)	Yes (0.12.1)
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 Soul Sand in Creative Mode

Minecraft Java Edition (PC/Mac)

Here is where you can find soul sand 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 soul sand 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 soul sand 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 soul sand 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 soul sand 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 soul sand 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 soul sand 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 Soul Sand in Survival Mode

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

1. Find a Block of Soul Sand

First, you need to find a block of soul sand in your Minecraft world. Soul sand is found in the Nether.

nether biome

This is what soul sand looks like:

soul sand and shovel

TIP: If you are having trouble seeing in the Nether, try drinking a Potion of Night Vision.

2. Mine the Soul Sand

You can use a tool or your hand to mine the soul sand. In this example, we will use our hand.

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

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

soul sand dropped

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

3. Pick up the Soul Sand

Make sure you pick up the soul sand before it disappears.

soul sand gathered

Once you pick up the soul sand, it will appear in your hotbar.

soul sand