How to Craft a Fence in Minecraft: Step-by-Step Guide

To craft a wooden fence in Minecraft, place 2 wooden planks in the bottom left and right slots, 3 sticks vertically in the middle column, and 2 more planks in the top left and right slots of your 3x3 crafting grid. This creates 3 fence units instantly.

Master Every Fence Type in Minecraft: Your Complete Crafting Guide

Whether you're building animal pens or fortress walls, fences are essential for any Minecraft project. This guide delivers precise crafting instructions for all fence variants, plus pro tips you won't find in the recipe book. Let's transform basic materials into functional barriers in seconds.

Essential Materials Breakdown

Before crafting, gather these core resources. Note that fence types depend entirely on your plank selection:

Fence Type	Required Materials (Per Craft)	Output Quantity
Wooden Fence	4 planks + 2 sticks	3 units
Nether Brick Fence	6 nether bricks	6 units
Crimson/Warped	3 stems + 3 planks	3 units

Step-by-Step Crafting Instructions

Standard Wooden Fence (All Wood Types)

Works identically for oak, spruce, birch, jungle, acacia, dark oak, and mangrove:

1. Open your 3x3 crafting grid (2x2 inventory won't work)
2. Place wooden planks in these positions:
   • Top row: Left and right slots
   • Bottom row: Left and right slots
3. Fill the entire middle column with sticks
4. Collect 3 fence units from the output slot

Nether Brick Fence Shortcut

Unlike wooden fences, this requires no sticks:

• Arrange 6 nether bricks in a "U" shape (bottom and side slots)
• Yields double the output: 6 fence units per craft
• Only craftable in the Nether dimension or with nether bricks brought to Overworld

Pro Builder's Insights You Need

The Connection Secret Most Players Miss

Fences automatically connect to:

• Other fences of the same type (mixing wood types breaks connections)
• Walls and cobblestone walls
• Gates (but not doors)

Pro Tip: Place fences diagonally first to create perfect 90-degree corners without gaps.

Version-Specific Crafting Notes

Java Edition vs. Bedrock

Recipe is identical across versions, but Bedrock players can craft fences directly in their 2x2 inventory grid (Java requires crafting table).

Advanced Fence Applications

Animal Containment Systems

Build escape-proof pens by:

• Using 2-high fence walls (mobs can't jump over)
• Adding roof slabs to prevent climbing
• Placing torches inside to stop mob spawning

Decorative Architecture Techniques

• Color Blocking: Alternate oak and spruce fences for striped patterns
• Vertical Accents: Combine fences with trapdoors for railing details
• Nether Integration: Frame nether portals with nether brick fences for safety

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• Fence won't connect? Check for mismatched wood types or adjacent blocks blocking connection
• Recipe not working? Ensure you're using planks (not logs) and sticks (not saplings)
• Animals escaping? Fences must be at least 1.5 blocks high - use double fences for jumpers

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you craft fences without a crafting table in Minecraft?

Only in Bedrock Edition. Java Edition requires a crafting table for fences, though Bedrock players can use their 2x2 inventory grid. Both versions need the same materials.

Why won't my fences connect to walls?

Fences only connect to cobblestone walls, not other wall types. Ensure you're using the correct wall variant and that there are no gaps between blocks. Different materials won't connect even if placed adjacently.

How do you make colored fences in Minecraft?

You can't dye fences directly. Instead, craft fences using corresponding colored wood planks (e.g., use birch planks for light-colored fences). For stained glass effects, place fences behind colored glass panes.

Do fences stop Endermen from teleporting?

No. Fences don't prevent Enderman teleportation. To block teleportation, surround areas with at least 3 blocks of non-solid material like water or glass, as Endermen require solid ground to spawn.