BeginnerSurvival
How to build a Nether portal in Minecraft (and link two portals)
A Nether portal is an upright Obsidian frame, at least 4 blocks wide and 5 tall, lit with fire.
×10 Tested 26.3 Block
Obsidian block in Minecraft
Present since 1.0 or earlier Mined with: pickaxe Requires at least diamond Stack size: 64 In 7 tutorials ↓
Obsidian forms where water flows onto a lava source. It is one of the toughest blocks in the game: only a diamond or netherite pickaxe mines it, it shrugs off explosions, and it is the frame of every Nether portal.
It cannot be crafted; it can be found in chests. It is mined with a pickaxe (at least tier diamond).
What it does
Build a rectangle of obsidian at least four blocks wide and five tall (the corners are optional), light the inside with Flint and Steel or a fire charge, and it becomes a Nether portal. Lava lakes underground are the usual source: pour water over them and mine the result, or build the frame directly by pouring water on lava placed in a mold.
Mining obsidian takes a long time even with a diamond pickaxe, but its blast resistance is so high that TNT and creepers cannot break it, which makes it ideal for protected rooms and blast-proof walls. Pistons cannot push it, and the Ender Dragon cannot destroy it.
Obsidian is also an ingredient: four go into an Enchanting Table, three into a Beacon, and eight around an eye of ender make an Ender Chest. Piglins sometimes give it in trade, and ruined portals often come with a few blocks.
How to craft
This item has no crafting recipe.
How Obsidian connects
8 links · from the 26.3 game dataWhere to get it
Loot in structureschance per item drawn
Other sourceschance
In structures
Advancements
Ice Bucket ChallengeObtain a block of ObsidianTutorials with Obsidian (7)
All tutorials with Obsidian →×10 Tested 26.3 BeginnerFarms
How to make a cobblestone generator in Minecraft
This version keeps the water away from the lava source, so it never turns into Obsidian.
Tested 26.3
BeginnerEnchanting & brewing
Enchanting table at level 30: the bookshelf setup
1 Book, 2 Diamonds and 4 Obsidian (Obsidian needs a diamond or netherite pickaxe).
Tested 26.3
BeginnerExploration
Where to find diamonds in Minecraft: the best Y level
water poured on a lava source turns it into Obsidian.
Tested 26.3
Used to craft (3)
Beacon
Enchanting Table
Ender Chest Obtained from
Tags
#minecraft:blocks_dolphin_jump#minecraft:blocks_fluid_flow#minecraft:blocks_lava_fire_spread#minecraft:blocks_motion#minecraft:blocks_motion_in_heightmap#minecraft:blocks_motion_in_heightmap_no_leaves#minecraft:blocks_motion_no_leaves#minecraft:causes_suffocation#minecraft:dragon_immune#minecraft:entities_can_teleport_to#minecraft:ice_melts_when_destroyed_above#minecraft:incorrect_for_copper_tool#minecraft:incorrect_for_gold_tool#minecraft:incorrect_for_iron_tool#minecraft:incorrect_for_stone_tool#minecraft:incorrect_for_wooden_tool#minecraft:mineable/pickaxe#minecraft:needs_diamond_tool#minecraft:nether_portal_frame#minecraft:sulfur_cube_swallowable
Obsidian · FAQ
How do you get Obsidian in Minecraft?
Mining the block drops it. It can be found as loot in Ruined Portal, Bastion Remnant, Village and Nether Fortress. Bartering: Piglin.
What is Obsidian used for in Minecraft?
It frames Nether portals, resists explosions and goes into enchanting tables, beacons and ender chests. It is an ingredient in 3 recipes, made at the Crafting Table; for example Beacon, Enchanting Table and Ender Chest.
What tool do you need to mine Obsidian?
The fastest tool is the pickaxe. It needs at least a diamond pickaxe.
What sound does a note block make on Obsidian?
Placed under a Note Block, Obsidian gives the Bass drum sound.
Can a piston move Obsidian?
No: pistons cannot move it.
Which advancements involve Obsidian?
Ice Bucket Challenge (Obtain a block of Obsidian).