How to Craft a Nether Portal in Minecraft: Step-by-Step Guide

Unlock Minecraft's fiery Nether dimension in under 5 minutes with this foolproof guide. You'll learn exactly how to build and activate a Nether Portal using survival-mode techniques that work in every game version.

Immediate Solution: Build a 4×5 obsidian frame (minimum 10 blocks), then ignite the interior with flint and steel. The portal activates instantly with a purple vortex.

Your Essential Nether Portal Checklist

Before starting, gather these critical items. Missing any component will halt your portal construction:

Required Materials

• Obsidian (10-14 blocks): Minimum for 4×5 frame (10 blocks) or larger up to 23×23 (146 blocks)
• Flint and Steel: Crafted from 1 iron ingot + 1 flint (found in gravel)
• Diamond Pickaxe: Essential for mining obsidian (wood/stone picks destroy it)
• Water Bucket + Lava Source: For creating obsidian

Portal Size	Width × Height	Obsidian Required	Best For
Minimum	4×5	10 blocks	Tight spaces, early game
Standard	5×6	14 blocks	Most builds (recommended)
Maximum	23×23	146 blocks	Massive bases

Step-by-Step Nether Portal Construction

Follow these precision steps to avoid common mistakes that waste precious obsidian. These techniques work in Minecraft Java, Bedrock, and all recent updates.

1. Create Obsidian Efficiently

   Dig a 2-block deep hole. Place lava source block at bottom, then pour water adjacent to it. Mine the resulting obsidian with diamond pickaxe. Pro Tip: Use water bucket to protect yourself from lava contact.

   

2. Build the Frame Correctly

   Construct a hollow rectangle:

   • Minimum 4 blocks wide × 5 blocks tall
   • Corners must connect (no gaps)
   • Interior space must be empty
   Critical Error to Avoid: Frames smaller than 4×5 won't activate. Double-check dimensions before placing final blocks.
   

3. Ignite the Portal

   Stand inside the frame and right-click the inner face of any obsidian block with flint and steel. You'll see purple particles fill the frame within seconds. Survival Mode Hack: If flint is scarce, use fire charges (gunpowder + blaze powder) as alternative ignition.

   

Avoid These 3 Costly Mistakes

• Wrong Tool: Stone/wood picks destroy obsidian. You must use iron or better pickaxe
• Insufficient Space: Portal requires 23×23×23 air space in Nether to form correctly
• Water Interference: Don't build near water sources - they'll extinguish the portal

What Happens After Activation

Once ignited, the portal creates a purple swirling vortex. Step through to enter the Nether, where you'll find:

• Cobblestone for building
• Blaze rods for brewing
• Nether wart for potions
• Essential resources for end-game progression

Warning: The Nether is extremely dangerous. Bring armor, weapons, and building blocks before entering.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many obsidian blocks do I need for a nether portal?

The absolute minimum is 10 obsidian blocks for a 4×5 frame. Most players use 14 blocks for the standard 5×6 size, which provides better entry clearance. Remember that larger portals up to 23×23 are possible but require significantly more resources.

Can I make a nether portal without flint and steel?

Yes! Fire charges (crafted from gunpowder and blaze powder) work as an alternative ignition method. Simply throw them into the portal frame. This is particularly useful in the Nether itself where flint is scarce, but requires you to already have blaze rods.

Why won't my nether portal activate?

Three common reasons: 1) Frame dimensions are too small (must be minimum 4×5), 2) You're using the wrong tool to ignite (must be flint and steel or fire charge), or 3) There are blocks obstructing the interior space. Double-check all frame corners connect properly with no gaps.

Can nether portals be moved after creation?

No, you cannot move an existing portal. Obsidian is indestructible without mining it, which destroys the portal structure. To relocate, you must build a new portal elsewhere and mine the old one block by block using a diamond pickaxe.