Knockback enchantment in Minecraft
Knockback pushes the mob you hit further away: level I adds one step of knockback, level II two. It goes on swords and spears and is a matter of taste: it keeps dangerous mobs at a distance, but it also pushes them out of your reach.
Knockback at a glance
- Max level
- II
- Works on
- Spear and Sword
- Enchanting table
- Yes
- Incompatible with
- None
- Rarity
- Uncommon (weight 5)
- Anvil cost
- ×2 on an item, ×1 on a book
What does Knockback do?
Pushes the target further back when you hit it.
Knockback IKnockback II How to get Knockback
Best wayEnchanting tableAppears on the table for spear and sword. The level depends on the XP you spend and your bookshelves.
RandomLibrarian villagersLibrarians can sell a Knockback book. Reset an unemployed villager’s lectern until the trade appears.
RandomChests and fishingEnchanted books in structure chests, and fishing treasure, can carry Knockback.
CombineAnvilCombine a Knockback book with the item on an anvil.
Items that take Knockback
Primary items show up on the enchanting table; the others only get it through an anvil.
Combining Knockback
No incompatibility: it combines with every other enchantment its item can take.
Commands
/enchant @s minecraft:knockback 2/give @s minecraft:enchanted_book[stored_enchantments={"minecraft:knockback":2}]When Knockback helps
- Against a creeper: pushing it back buys you time to step away before it explodes.
- Near cliffs, lava or the void: a hit can send a mob over the edge.
- In PvP, where controlling the distance matters as much as the damage.
It stacks with the extra knockback of a sprinting hit, so a sprint plus Knockback II sends targets a long way.
When it gets in the way
Each hit sends the target out of melee range, so you have to walk after it for the next one. In a mob farm, Knockback pushes mobs off the killing spot and slows everything down. It also scatters groups, which leaves less for Sweeping Edge to hit.
Heavy mobs resist knockback anyway: the iron golem, the warden and the ravager barely move, so the enchantment does little against them.
Should it go on your main weapon?
The best sword enchantments build leaves it out for these reasons. If you like the playstyle, put it on a second sword, or try it on a spear. For a bow, the equivalent is Punch. It cannot go on a mace or an axe.
✓ Checked in Java Edition 26.3 · updated 1 November 2026
Knockback — FAQ
Is Knockback good on a sword?
It depends on how you fight. It is great for keeping creepers and crowds away, and annoying when you want to chain hits or use a mob farm.
Can you put Knockback on a mace or an axe?
No. Knockback only goes on swords and spears.
Does Knockback work on the warden or iron golems?
Barely. These mobs resist knockback, so the extra push has almost no effect on them.
Can you get Knockback from an enchanting table?
Yes. Knockback can appear on the enchanting table for spear and sword.
What is the max level of Knockback?
Knockback goes up to level II.