Introduction
In Minecraft, few tools are as important as the pickaxe. From your very first night digging into a hillside to late game mining in the Nether, pickaxes determine what blocks you can collect, how fast you progress, and whether rare resources are safely obtained or permanently lost.
If you’re new to the game or returning after a break, understanding how do you make pickaxes in minecraft and when to upgrade them sets the foundation for smooth progression. This guide walks through crafting recipes, materials, pickaxe types, and expert-level tips used across Survival, Hardcore, and long-term worlds.
What Is a Pickaxe in Minecraft?
A pickaxe is a core mining tool used to break and collect hard blocks. Unlike breaking blocks by hand, using the correct pickaxe ensures the block drops as an item instead of disappearing.
Pickaxes are primarily used to mine:
- Stone and cobblestone
- Ores such as coal, iron, gold, redstone, diamond, and netherite
- Metal blocks and crafted structures like furnaces and anvils
They are essential tools in Survival Mode and remain relevant throughout the entire game.
Why Pickaxes Matter in Gameplay
Pickaxes directly affect how you play and progress. The type of pickaxe you carry determines:
- Which blocks you’re allowed to mine
- How quickly you can mine them
- How long your tools last before breaking
Using the wrong pickaxe can result in wasted time or lost resources. For example, mining diamond ore with a stone pickaxe destroys the block without dropping diamonds. Choosing the right pickaxe at the right stage avoids these setbacks and keeps progression efficient.
Materials Needed to Craft a Pickaxe
Before crafting any pickaxe, you’ll need a crafting table. Pickaxes cannot be made in the player’s 2×2 inventory grid.
Required items for all pickaxes:
- Crafting table
- 2 sticks
Pickaxe head materials (choose one set):
- Wooden planks (any wood type)
- Cobblestone
- Iron ingots
- Gold ingots
- Diamonds
Each material creates a different pickaxe tier with unique durability and mining capabilities.
How to Make a Pickaxe in Minecraft (Step-by-Step)
Crafting a pickaxe follows the same pattern regardless of material.
Step 1: Open the Crafting Table
Interact with the crafting table to access the 3×3 crafting grid.
Step 2: Place Items in the Correct Pattern
- Top row: three identical materials (wood, stone, iron, gold, or diamond)
- Middle column: two sticks placed vertically
Step 3: Collect the Pickaxe
Once the recipe is correct, drag the pickaxe into your inventory.
This recipe works in both Java Edition and Bedrock Edition.
All Pickaxe Types Explained
Each pickaxe tier serves a purpose during different stages of gameplay.
| Pickaxe Type | Materials Used | Blocks It Can Mine | Durability | Mining Speed |
| Wooden | Wooden planks | Stone, coal | Very low | Slow |
| Stone | Cobblestone | Iron ore | Low | Medium |
| Iron | Iron ingots | Diamond ore | High | Fast |
| Gold | Gold ingots | Same as iron | Very low | Very fast |
| Diamond | Diamonds | Obsidian | Very high | Very fast |
| Netherite | Diamond + Netherite | All blocks | Maximum | Maximum |
Gold pickaxes mine extremely fast but break quickly, making them situational rather than practical.
When and Why to Upgrade Your Pickaxe
Progression in Minecraft depends heavily on upgrading tools at the right time.
Recommended upgrade path:
- Early game: Wooden → Stone
- Mid game: Iron (most important upgrade)
- Late game: Diamond → Netherite
Iron pickaxes mark a major milestone because they allow you to mine diamond ore. Diamond and netherite pickaxes significantly reduce mining time and last much longer, making them ideal for large-scale mining projects.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even experienced players make these errors:
- Mining diamond ore with a stone pickaxe
- Crafting gold pickaxes expecting durability
- Delaying the iron pickaxe upgrade
- Ignoring enchantments that extend tool life
Avoiding these mistakes saves time and prevents unnecessary frustration.
Best Practices and Pro Tips
Small decisions around pickaxes add up over time.
- Enchant diamond pickaxes before upgrading them to netherite
- Carry a backup iron pickaxe during early mining trips
- Use gold pickaxes only when speed matters more than durability
- Repair valuable pickaxes with an anvil instead of crafting new ones
Enchantments like Efficiency, Unbreaking, and Mending dramatically increase a pickaxe’s value.
Alternatives and Related Tools
While pickaxes are essential, other tools complement them:
- Axes mine wood-related blocks faster
- Shovels are best for dirt, sand, gravel, and clay
- Hoes are used for farming and specific blocks in Java Edition
Using the right tool for the right block improves efficiency and reduces tool wear.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you make a pickaxe without a crafting table?
No. Pickaxes require a 3×3 crafting grid, which only a crafting table provides.
What is the strongest pickaxe in Minecraft?
The netherite pickaxe is the strongest, with the highest durability and mining speed.
Why can’t I mine diamonds in Minecraft?
You need an iron pickaxe or better. Stone and wooden pickaxes won’t drop diamonds.
Is a gold pickaxe better than an iron pickaxe?
Gold pickaxes mine faster but break extremely quickly, making iron more practical.
How many sticks do you need to craft a pickaxe?
You need exactly two sticks for any pickaxe recipe.
What pickaxe can mine obsidian?
Only diamond and netherite pickaxes can mine obsidian.
Can villagers sell pickaxes?
Yes. Toolsmith villagers can trade iron, enchanted, or even diamond pickaxes at higher levels.
Conclusion
Making a how do you make pickaxes in minecraft is straightforward, but mastering when and how to upgrade them is what drives efficient gameplay. Starting with stone, prioritizing iron, and eventually moving to diamond and netherite ensures you can mine every resource safely and efficiently.