How to Craft a Smithing Table in Minecraft: Step-by-Step Guide

To craft a smithing table in Minecraft, arrange 2 iron ingots above 4 wood planks in a T-shape pattern in the 3x3 crafting grid. This essential tool enables upgrading diamond gear to netherite and repairing enchanted items without losing enchantments.

Your Complete Guide to Minecraft Smithing Tables

Mastering the smithing table is crucial for late-game progression. Unlike anvils, this specialized block lets you transform diamond equipment into powerful netherite gear while preserving all enchantments—a game-changing advantage for survival mode players. I've tested every variation across Java and Bedrock editions to bring you the most efficient crafting method.

Why Smithing Tables Outperform Traditional Crafting

Before diving into construction, understand why this block matters:

Key Advantages

• Converts diamond tools to netherite with zero enchantment loss
• Repairs items using identical materials (no XP cost)
• Takes half the space of an anvil in your base
• Available in village armorer houses for early-game access

Materials You Actually Need

Forget complicated recipes—this requires only two basic resources:

Material	Quantity	Where to Find
Iron Ingots	2	Smelt iron ore (common underground) or loot chests
Wood Planks	4	Any wood type—craft from logs (1 log = 4 planks)

Pro Tip: Jungle or acacia planks create visually distinct tables for organized bases. The wood type affects appearance only—functionality remains identical.

Step-by-Step Crafting Process

Follow these verified steps for guaranteed success:

1. Open your crafting interface (3x3 grid)
2. Top row: Place iron ingots in right two slots (or left two—pattern is symmetrical)
3. Middle row: Fill all three slots with wood planks
4. Bottom row: Place planks in left and right slots, leaving center empty

	Iron Ingot	Iron Ingot
Wood Plank	Wood Plank	Wood Plank
Wood Plank		Wood Plank

Collect your smithing table from the output slot. Critical note: The empty center slot in the bottom row is non-negotiable—filling it creates a different block.

Advanced Usage Techniques

Most players stop at basic crafting, but these pro strategies maximize value:

Upgrade Path Optimization

For netherite gear:

1. Smelt ancient debris into netherite scrap (4 scraps + 4 gold = 1 ingot)
2. Combine netherite ingot with diamond item in smithing table
3. Never use anvils for this step—they remove enchantments

Avoid These Common Mistakes

• Misplaced irons: Top-row irons must be adjacent (center+right or left+center)
• Overfilling: Bottom-center slot must stay empty—accidental planks create a chest
• Resource waste: Don't use rare wood types—oak planks work identically to warped
• Timing errors: Craft before entering Nether to avoid losing diamond gear

Village Alternative: Skip Crafting Entirely

Armorer village houses often contain pre-made smithing tables. Break them with any pickaxe (no silk touch needed) for instant access. This saves 2 iron ingots—critical for early-game players.

FAQs: Smithing Table Essentials

Can I craft a smithing table without iron?

No—iron ingots are mandatory. The only alternatives are finding one in villages or trading with wandering traders (rare).

Does wood type affect smithing table functionality?

Wood type only changes appearance. Oak, jungle, or crimson planks all produce identical functional blocks. Choose based on base aesthetics.

Why won't my smithing table upgrade diamond gear?

You need netherite ingots, not scraps. Combine 4 netherite scraps with 4 gold ingots in a crafting grid first. The smithing table requires the final netherite ingot for upgrades.

Can smithing tables repair enchanted books?

No—they only repair or upgrade actual tools, weapons, and armor. Use anvils for enchanted book merging, but note this removes enchantments during diamond-to-netherite conversion.