Unbreaking enchantment in Minecraft
Unbreaking gives each use a chance not to cost durability. On tools and weapons, Unbreaking III skips 75% of the wear, so the item lasts about four times longer. On armor the effect is smaller: about 30% of the wear is skipped at level III. It works on everything that has durability.
Unbreaking at a glance
- Max level
- III
- Works on
- Bow, Boots, Chestplate and Helmet…
- Enchanting table
- Yes
- Incompatible with
- None
- Rarity
- Uncommon (weight 5)
- Anvil cost
- ×2 on an item, ×1 on a book
What does Unbreaking do?
The item loses durability less often, so it lasts much longer. Works on every item with durability.
Unbreaking IUnbreaking IIUnbreaking III How to get Unbreaking
Best wayEnchanting tableAppears on the table for bow, boots, chestplate and helmet. The level depends on the XP you spend and your bookshelves.
RandomLibrarian villagersLibrarians can sell a Unbreaking book. Reset an unemployed villager’s lectern until the trade appears.
RandomChests and fishingEnchanted books in structure chests, and fishing treasure, can carry Unbreaking.
CombineAnvilCombine a Unbreaking book with the item on an anvil.
Items that take Unbreaking
Primary items show up on the enchanting table; the others only get it through an anvil.
Combining Unbreaking
No incompatibility: it combines with every other enchantment its item can take.
Commands
/enchant @s minecraft:unbreaking 3/give @s minecraft:enchanted_book[stored_enchantments={"minecraft:unbreaking":3}]Unbreaking level by level
| Level | Tools and weapons | Armor |
|---|---|---|
| I | 50% of uses are free, about 2× longer | 20% of wear skipped |
| II | 67% free, about 3× longer | about 27% skipped |
| III | 75% free, about 4× longer | 30% skipped, about 1.4× longer |
Armor gains less because it takes wear on every hit you receive, and the game balances that differently.
Unbreaking and Mending
Unbreaking slows wear down; Mending repairs it with experience. Together, an item almost never needs the anvil again. The two are compatible on every item, and almost every endgame tool carries both.
Where it matters most
- Elytra, which lose durability every second of flight.
- Pickaxes and shovels used for big digging projects.
- The trident and the mace, which are hard to replace.
- Shields, which wear out quickly when blocking.
Unbreaking is common on the enchanting table, so it is one of the first enchantments you will get. It is worth putting on every tool you plan to keep.
✓ Checked in Java Edition 26.3 · updated 31 October 2026
Unbreaking — FAQ
How much longer does Unbreaking III make a tool last?
About four times longer: 75% of uses do not cost durability.
Is Unbreaking worth it on armor?
Yes, but the effect is smaller: at level III, about 30% of the wear is skipped, so armor lasts about 1.4 times longer.
Can you get Unbreaking from an enchanting table?
Yes. Unbreaking can appear on the enchanting table for bow, boots, chestplate, helmet, leggings, axe, hoe, pickaxe, shovel, spear, sword, crossbow, fishing rod, mace and trident.
What is the max level of Unbreaking?
Unbreaking goes up to level III.
What is Unbreaking incompatible with?
Unbreaking is compatible with every other enchantment its item can take.