Enchanted Book

This article is about the book that can give items enchantments when used on an anvil. For the artifact that can enchant allied mobs in Minecraft Dungeons, see Enchanter's Tome.
Not to be confused with Written Book.
Enchanted Book
Enchanted Book.gif: Infobox image for Enchanted Book the item in Minecraft
Invicon Enchanted Book.png: Inventory sprite for Enchanted Book in Minecraft as shown in-game with description:
Rarity tier
  • Uncommon ‌
  • Common ‌
Renewable

Swift Sneak: No
Wind Burst: No (except via ominous vault)
All others: Yes

Stackable

No

An enchanted book is an item that lets players add enchantments to certain items using an anvil.

Obtaining

Generated loot

Level-30 books

Item Structure Container Quantity Chance
Java Edition
[A] Jungle Pyramid Chest 1 4.5%
Stronghold Storeroom chest 1 4%
Altar chest 1 2.5%
Library chest 1 67.8%
Bedrock Edition
[A] Jungle Pyramid Chest 1 5.3%
Stronghold Storeroom chest 1 3.8%
Altar chest 1 2.9%
Library chest 1 72.9%
  1. a b Enchantment probabilities are the same as a level-30 enchantment on an enchantment table that was able to apply treasure enchantments (except Soul Speed, Swift Sneak, and Wind Burst), and where the chance of multiple enchantments is not reduced.

Random enchantment books

Item Structure Container Quantity Chance
Java Edition
[A] Monster Room Chest 1 14.7%
Mineshaft Chest 1 14.1%
Ancient City Chest 1 35.9%
Desert Pyramid Chest 1 23.5%
Pillager Outpost Chest 1 11%
Underwater Ruins Big ruins chest 1 21.7%
Woodland Mansion Chest 1 14.9%
Bedrock Edition
[A] Monster Room Chest 1 14.7%
Mineshaft Chest 1 14.1%
Ancient City Chest 1 35.9%
Desert Pyramid Chest 1 23.5%
Pillager Outpost Chest 1 11%
Underwater Ruins Big ruins chest 1 21.7%
Woodland Mansion Chest 1 17.5%
  1. a b All enchantments are equally probable, including treasure enchantments (except Soul Speed, Swift Sneak, and Wind Burst), and any level of the enchantment is equally probable.

Soul Speed books

Item Structure Container Quantity Chance
Java Edition
[A] Bastion Remnant Generic chest 1 11.2%
Bedrock Edition
[A] Bastion Remnant Generic chest 1 11.2%
  1. a b Enchanted with a random level of Soul Speed.

Swift Sneak books

Item Structure Container Quantity Chance
Java Edition
[A] Ancient City Chest 1 23.2%
Bedrock Edition
[A] Ancient City Chest 1 23.2%
  1. a b Enchanted with a random level of Swift Sneak.

Wind Burst books

Item Structure Container Quantity Chance
Java Edition
[A] Trial Chambers Ominous Vault 1 5.5%
Bedrock Edition
[A] Trial Chambers Ominous Vault 1 5.5%
  1. a b Enchanted with level I of Wind Burst.

Fishing

Main article: Fishing

Enchanted books are obtainable through fishing, with a 0.8% chance per attempt. See fishing for more details. The book has the equivalent of a level 30 enchantment from an enchantment table, but treasure enchantments are available and the chance of multiple enchantments is not reduced.

Trading

VillagerProbabilityVillager wantsPlayer receives
JEBE
Apprentice Librarian67%50%5–64 × Emerald
+ Book
[t 1]
Expert Librarian50%33%5–64 × Emerald
+ Book
[t 1]
Journeyman Librarian67%50%5–64 × Emerald
+ Book
[t 1]
Novice Librarian67%50%5–64 × Emerald
+ Book
[t 1]
  1. a b c d The enchantment is chosen randomly with equal chance of any enchantment type occurring (except for Soul Speed, Swift Sneak, and Wind Burst) and equal chance to get any level of the enchantment, meaning high-level enchantments are as likely as low-level enchantments. It is possible for a librarian to sell the same book more than once. The price in emeralds depends on the enchantment level and "treasure" status. The minimum price of a book is given by 2 + 3 * (enchantment level), while the maximum price is 6 + 13 * (enchantment level). The possible values are 5–19 emeralds for Lvl I, 8–32 for Lvl II, 11–45 for Lvl III, 14–58 for Lvl IV, and 17–71 for Lvl V. For treasure enchantments the price is doubled. The cost is capped at 64 emeralds. All values below this cap are equally probable.

The price ranges between 5-64 emeralds per book. Based on the level of the enchantment and whether it is classified as a "treasure enchantment" (meaning they are not obtainable by enchanting, e.g. Mending), which doubles the cost, or not a price is determined.

Cost of enchanted books based on their level
Level Lowest price Highest price
I (1) 5 19
II (2) 8 32
III (3) 11 45
IV (4) 14 58
V (5) 17 71 (capped at 64)

They may contain any available enchantment (except Soul Speed, Swift Sneak, and Wind Burst) at any available level. See trading notes for more information on enchantments and prices.

Drops

This feature is exclusive to Bedrock Edition.
 

MobQuantity / Chance / Average
DefaultLooting ILooting IILooting III
Pillager[A][B]0–14.10%0.040–14.10%0.040–14.10%0.040–14.10%0.04
Pillager[A][C]0–13.33%0.030–13.33%0.030–13.33%0.030–13.33%0.03
Vindicator[A][C]0–13.33%0.030–13.33%0.030–13.33%0.030–13.33%0.03
Vindicator[A][B]0–14.10%0.040–14.10%0.040–14.10%0.040–14.10%0.04

MobQuantity / Chance / Average
DefaultLooting ILooting IILooting III
Pillager[A][B]0–1819581950–1819581950–1819581950–181958195
Pillager[A][C]0–11301300–11301300–11301300–1130130
Vindicator[A][C]0–11301300–11301300–11301300–1130130
Vindicator[A][B]0–1819581950–1819581950–1819581950–181958195

MobAmountProbability
DefaultLooting ILooting IILooting III
Pillager[A][B]0187195 (95.90%)187195 (95.90%)187195 (95.90%)187195 (95.90%)
18195 (4.10%)8195 (4.10%)8195 (4.10%)8195 (4.10%)
Average8195 (0.04)8195 (0.04)8195 (0.04)8195 (0.04)
Pillager[A][C]02930 (96.67%)2930 (96.67%)2930 (96.67%)2930 (96.67%)
1130 (3.33%)130 (3.33%)130 (3.33%)130 (3.33%)
Average130 (0.03)130 (0.03)130 (0.03)130 (0.03)
Vindicator[A][C]02930 (96.67%)2930 (96.67%)2930 (96.67%)2930 (96.67%)
1130 (3.33%)130 (3.33%)130 (3.33%)130 (3.33%)
Average130 (0.03)130 (0.03)130 (0.03)130 (0.03)
Vindicator[A][B]0187195 (95.90%)187195 (95.90%)187195 (95.90%)187195 (95.90%)
18195 (4.10%)8195 (4.10%)8195 (4.10%)8195 (4.10%)
Average8195 (0.04)8195 (0.04)8195 (0.04)8195 (0.04)

Drops1
MobExpected Number of Kill
DefaultLooting ILooting IILooting III
Pillager[A][B]24.3824.3824.3824.38
Pillager[A][C]30.0030.0030.0030.00
Vindicator[A][C]30.0030.0030.0030.00
Vindicator[A][B]24.3824.3824.3824.38

  1. a b c d The enchanted book has a level 30 enchantment, may be treasure enchantment.
  2. a b Only if spawned in a raid and the difficulty is hard.
  3. a b Only if spawned in a raid and the difficulty is easy or normal.

Enchanting

An enchanted book with multiple high level enchantments.
An enchanted book with multiple enchantments that can be applied to the same item.

Players can create an enchanted book by enchanting a book on an enchantment table. Books have a decreased chance of getting multiple enchantments (specifically, if multiple enchantments would be added, then one is removed at random), and have a lower "enchantability level" than most other items. Treasure enchantments such as Mending cannot be obtained from an enchantment table.

Bartering

Players can barter with piglins by using or throwing gold ingots, and doing so has a 5459 chance for piglins to give the player an enchanted book with any level of Soul Speed. Soul Speed enchanted books are obtainable only through bartering or chest loot inside a bastion remnant. They cannot be obtained through enchanting, trading, or fishing.

Usage

See also: Anvil mechanics

In Survival, enchanted books are the only method to obtain certain enchantments on certain tools, such as Unbreaking on shields. Enchanted books have a shine effect on their sprite.

To use an enchanted book, the player must place an item in the first slot in an anvil, and a book in the next. In order to complete the enchantment, the player must have the required amount of experience. Note that using an enchanted book gets significant discounts at the anvil. Enchanted books themselves can be combined to create a single book with increased or multiple enchantments, similar to combining tools or weapons.

When combining items, the compatible enchantments from the book in the second slot are transferred to the item from the first slot, keeping the highest level of any type. If two enchantments have the same level and a higher level is available, they combine into the next level. If a book is applied to an item that can't take all of its spells, the appropriate spells are transferred, while the unusable ones are lost. Enchanted books are single-use.

Enchanted books do not exhibit their enchantment. For example, a book with Sharpness IV as an enchantment does no more damage than an un-enchanted book, or any non-weapon item, would when used as a weapon. An exception is the Fire Aspect book which can ignite TNT and light campfires and the Fortune book if the block mined can be broken by fist.‌

Available items

See also: Enchantments

Enchanted books can enchant the usual items that can be enchanted at an enchanting table, but unlike an enchanting table, they are able to boost enchantments such as Sharpness or Thorns to their maximum power, and may apply the following enchantments to items (the table displays only netherite tools and armor, but any type can be enchanted):

Enchantment Items not enchantable
at an enchanting table
Note
Efficiency ShearsNetherite PickaxeNetherite ShovelNetherite AxeNetherite Hoe Increases mining speed
Thorns Netherite HelmetNetherite ChestplateNetherite LeggingsNetherite Boots Inflicts damage on attacker
Unbreaking BrushShearsFlint and SteelFishing RodCarrot on a StickWarped Fungus on a StickTridentShieldElytra

Netherite PickaxeNetherite ShovelNetherite AxeNetherite HoeNetherite SwordBowCrossbow
Netherite HelmetNetherite ChestplateNetherite LeggingsNetherite Boots

Increasing the times that the items can be used
Frost Walker Netherite Boots Creates walkable ice layer over water
Mending Netherite HelmetNetherite ChestplateNetherite LeggingsNetherite Boots

Netherite PickaxeNetherite ShovelNetherite AxeNetherite HoeNetherite SwordBowCrossbow
BrushShearsFlint and SteelFishing RodCarrot on a StickWarped Fungus on a StickTridentShieldElytra

Uses XP orbs to repair damaged items
Curse of Binding Netherite HelmetNetherite ChestplateNetherite LeggingsNetherite Boots
ElytraCarved PumpkinHead
Prevents removal of cursed item in the armor slots
Curse of Vanishing Netherite HelmetNetherite ChestplateNetherite LeggingsNetherite Boots

Netherite PickaxeNetherite ShovelNetherite AxeNetherite HoeNetherite SwordBowCrossbow
BrushShearsFlint and SteelFishing RodCarrot on a StickWarped Fungus on a StickTridentShield
ElytraCarved PumpkinHead
CompassRecovery Compass

Cursed item is destroyed upon death
Soul Speed Netherite Boots The wearer's speed is increased when walking on soul sand or soul soil.
Swift Sneak Netherite Leggings The wearer's sneaking speed is increased.
Wind Burst Mace A burst of wind is created upon impact.

Creative mode

The player can enchant any item with any enchantment in Creative mode, allowing any applied effects to exhibit themselves.‌ For example, a stick can be enchanted with Silk Touch to allow the player to successfully dig grass blocks. The enchanted item can still be used in Survival mode without any loss of enchantments.

Enchantments that are normally incompatible are still incompatible; for example, Piercing and Multishot cannot be both applied to the same item, even in Creative mode.

If a block is enchanted, it loses the enchantment upon being placed in the world.

Disenchanting

Disenchanting an enchanted book at a grindstone yields a normal book and some experience depending on the quality of the book. However, just like any other item that can hold enchantments, the Curse of Vanishing and Curse of Binding enchantments cannot be removed from a book.

Chiseled bookshelf

Using the chiseled bookshelf while having an enchanted book in the main hand puts the book inside the chiseled bookshelf. Hoppers also interact with the chiseled bookshelf to insert and remove books, allowing it to act as an item filter in various mob farms.

Sounds

Java Edition

Sounds
SoundSubtitlesSourceDescriptionResource locationTranslation keyVolumePitchAttenuation
distance
​Enchanted Book placedBlocksWhen an enchanted book is placed in a chiseled bookshelfblock.chiseled_bookshelf.insert.enchantedsubtitles.chiseled_bookshelf.insert_enchanted0.8varies [sound 1]16
​Enchanted Book takenBlocksWhen an enchanted book is removed from a chiseled bookshelfblock.chiseled_bookshelf.pickup.enchantedsubtitles.chiseled_bookshelf.take_enchanted0.8varies [sound 2]16
  1. Can be 1.0, 0.85, or 1.1 for each sound
  2. Can be 1.0, 0.8, or 1.1 for each sound

Bedrock Edition:

Sounds
SoundSourceDescriptionResource locationVolumePitch
BlocksWhen an enchanted book is placed in a chiseled bookshelfinsert_enchanted.chiseled_bookshelf0.8varies [sound 1]
BlocksWhen an enchanted book is removed from a chiseled bookshelfpickup_enchanted.chiseled_bookshelf0.8varies [sound 2]
  1. Can be 1.0, 0.85, or 1.1 for each sound
  2. Can be 1.0, 0.8, or 1.1 for each sound

Data values

ID

Java Edition:

NameIdentifierFormTranslation key
ItemSprite enchanted-book.png: Sprite image for enchanted-book in Minecraft Enchanted Bookenchanted_bookItemitem.minecraft.enchanted_book

Bedrock Edition:

NameIdentifierNumeric ID FormItem tagsTranslation key
ItemSprite enchanted-book.png: Sprite image for enchanted-book in Minecraft Enchanted Bookenchanted_book521Itemminecraft:bookshelf_booksitem.enchanted_book.name

Item data

Java Edition:

  • [NBT Compound / JSON Object] components: the item's components tag.
    • [NBT Compound / JSON Object] minecraft:stored_enchantments: Contains key-value pairs of levels of enchantments stored on this enchanted book.
      • [Int] <enchantment ID>: A single key-value pair, where the key is the resource location of an enchantment, and the value is the level.

Bedrock Edition:

Advancements

IconAdvancementIn-game descriptionActual requirements (if different)
EnchanterEnchant an item at an Enchanting TableInsert an item in an enchanting table, then apply an enchantment.

History

Java Edition
November 24, 2012Dinnerbone stated that he wanted to add a way to enchant items in an anvil using paper at MINECON 2012.
December 6, 2012Dinnerbone released the first image of enchanting a diamond sword using an enchanted book that has Looting II for 6 levels. He also stated that "this is the reason I originally added the anvil."
1.4.612w49a Added enchanted books.
The enchantments of enchanted books can be applied to any item.
12w50aIn Survival mode, enchanted books can now be used with limited kind of items. In Creative mode, they can still be used with any item. It was stated that the remaining functionality in Creative mode is intentional.[1][2]
Librarian villagers now sell enchanted books at a cost of 1 book at 5–64 emeralds. The cost depends on the enchantment level, and the cost can occasionally go above 64 emeralds; see Trading/Before 1.8 for more details.
Enchanted books now spawn in dungeon, mineshaft, desert and jungle pyramid, stronghold and village blacksmith chests.
preEnchanted books have been added to the Creative inventory. All levels for each enchanted book can be found in the search tab, and only the maximum level in the Tools and Combat tabs.
1.5.113w11aThe player can now combine enchanted books of the same level to create a higher level variation.
1.7.213w36aEnchanted books can now be obtained by fishing as a "treasure" item. It is possible for the book to have multiple enchantments.
13w39aWhen enchanting books, books can now gain multiple enchantments.
1.814w02aTrading for enchanted books has been changed: the emerald cost has been doubled for treasure enchantments, and cost has been capped at 64.
14w25aEnchanted book Depth Strider added, which can go up to Level III and allows for faster underwater moving.
1.915w42aEnchanted book Frost Walker added, which can go up to Level II and turns water into frosted ice.
Enchanted book Mending added, which repairs tools/armor upon receiving experience.
15w43aThe average yield of enchanted books found in stronghold library chests has now more than tripled.
15w44aThe average yield from desert pyramid, mineshaft and monster room chests has been substantially increased. The enchantments on these books are now fully random, rather than enchanted only at level 30.
1.1116w39aEnchanted books are now found in the new woodland mansion chests, with fully random enchantments.
Enchanted book Curse of Binding added, which prevents removal of cursed armor.
Enchanted book Curse of Vanishing added, which destroys cursed items upon death.
1.11.116w50aEnchanted books for Sweeping Edge added.
1.1318w07aEnchanted books for Loyalty, Riptide, Channeling and Impaling added.
18w09aEnchanted books now have a chance of generating in underwater ruins chests.
18w21aThe rarity of enchanted books has been corrected to "Uncommon". Enchanted books without any enchantments will also no longer be "Common".
1.1418w43a The texture of enchanted books has been changed.
Enchanted books for Quick Charge, Multishot and Piercing added.
18w47aEnchanted books now have a chance of generating in pillager outpost chests.
1.1620w11aAdded Soul Speed enchanted book, which increases player's speed on soul sand and soul soil. It can be obtained only via the bartering.
20w12aEnchanted books can now only be caught when fishing in open water like any other treasure item.
20w16aSoul Speed enchanted books now generate in bastion remnants chests.
1.19Deep Dark Experimental Snapshot 1Added Swift Sneak enchanted book, which increases player's speed while sneaking. It can be obtained only in ancient city chests.
Enchanted books now generate in ancient city chests.
1.19.3
Experiment
Update 1.20
22w42aEnchanted books can now interact with chiseled bookshelves.
1.20.5
Experiment
Update 1.21
24w13aAdded Density, Breach, and Wind Burst enchantments, which are unique to the mace.
Pocket Edition Alpha
v0.12.1build 1 Added enchanted books.
All levels of each enchanted book can be obtained in the Creative inventory.
v0.13.0build 1Enchanted books now generate in desert pyramids.
v0.14.0build 1Enchanted books now generate in mineshafts.
v0.15.0build 1Enchanted books now generate in jungle pyramids.
Pocket Edition
1.0.0alpha 0.17.0.1Enchanted books now generate in end cities.
1.0.4alpha 1.0.4.0Enchanted books can now be bought from librarian villagers for 5-64 emeralds as part of their tier 1, 4 and 5 trades.
1.1.0alpha 1.1.0.0Enchanted books now generate in woodland mansions.
Enchanted books Mending and Frost Walker added.
Bedrock Edition
1.2.13beta 1.2.13.5Added Curse of Binding and Curse of Vanishing enchantments, but they are obtainable only via trading with librarian villagers.
1.4.0beta 1.2.20.1Enchanted books can now be found in underwater ruins.
1.4.0beta 1.2.20.2Curse enchantments are no longer obtainable via trading.
1.10.0beta 1.10.0.3 The texture of enchanted books has been changed.
Enchanted books can now be found in pillager outposts.
1.11.0beta 1.11.0.4Vindicators and pillagers that spawn in raids can now drop enchanted books.
Trading has been changed, enchanted books bought from librarian villagers now cost 15-64 emeralds.
Librarian villagers now have a 50% chance to sell enchanted books as part of their first, second, and third tier trade, and 13 chance to sell enchanted books as part of their fourth tier trades.
1.16.0beta 1.16.0.57Added Soul Speed enchanted book, which can be obtained only via bartering and at bastion remnants chests.
1.19.50
Experiment
Next Major Update
Preview 1.19.50.21Enchanted books can now interact with chiseled bookshelves.
1.21.30Preview 1.21.30.21The rarity of enchanted books is now "Common", presumably being swapped with books on accident.
Legacy Console Edition
Xbox 360Xbox OnePS3PS4PS VitaWii USwitch
TU14CU11.041.001.00Patch 11.0.1 Added enchanted books.
Only the maximum level of each enchanted book can be obtained within the Creative inventory.
Librarian villagers now sell enchanted books at a cost of 1 book at 5–64 emeralds. The cost depends on the enchantment level, and the cost can occasionally go above 64 emeralds; see Trading/Before 1.8 for more details.
TU19CU71.121.121.12The player can now combine enchanted books of the same level to create a higher level variation.
TU31CU191.221.221.22Patch 3Enchanted books can now be obtained by fishing as a "treasure" item.
Enchanted books for Depth Strider, Luck of the Sea and Lure were added.
Trading for enchanted books has been changed: the emerald cost has been doubled for treasure enchantments, and cost has been capped at 64.
TU43CU331.361.361.36Patch 13Enchanted book Frost Walker added, which can go up to Level II and turns water into frosted ice.
Enchanted book Mending added, which repairs tools/armor upon receiving experience.
TU54CU441.521.521.52Patch 241.0.4Enchanted books are now found in the new woodland mansion chests, with fully random enchantments.
Enchanted book Curse of Binding added, which prevents removal of cursed armor.
Enchanted book Curse of Vanishing added, which destroys cursed items upon death.
TU69 1.761.761.76Patch 38 Enchanted books for Loyalty, Riptide, Channeling and Impaling added.
1.90 The texture of enchanted books has been changed.
Enchanted books for Quick Charge, Multishot and Piercing added.
1.91Enchanted books can now be found in pillager outposts.
Vindicators and pillagers that spawn in raids can now drop enchanted books.
New Nintendo 3DS Edition
0.1.0 Added enchanted books.
All levels of each enchanted book can be obtained in the Creative inventory.
1.9.19Enchanted books Mending and Frost Walker added.

Data history

Java Edition
1.1317w47aPrior to The Flattening, this item's numeral ID was 403.

Issues

Issues relating to "Enchanted Book" are maintained on the bug tracker. Issues should be reported and viewed there.

Trivia

  • When obtained through the /give command with no stored enchantments, the enchanted book has no attached enchantments, but still shines as if it is enchanted.
  • A book enchanted with Unbreaking III appears in both the tools tab and combat tab of the Creative inventory. ‌

Gallery

Renders

Screenshots

References

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