Crafting the table
In standard Java and Bedrock, the enchanting table takes a book, two diamonds and four blocks of obsidian. To enchant, you then need lapis lazuli, experience levels and a compatible item that isn't enchanted yet.
Reading the offers
- Place the table somewhere safe.
- Put in the item, then the lapis lazuli.
- Three offers appear, each with a required level and a cost.
- Pick an offer you can afford. The preview doesn't necessarily show every enchantment you'll get.
- Check the item's properties before spending more resources.
Powering up with bookshelves
Bookshelves placed around the table raise the level of the offers. You need fifteen to reach level 30 enchantments. Place them next to the table with one block of air in between: most blocks placed in that gap, even a torch, break the connection (Enchanting Table, Minecraft Wiki).
Chiseled bookshelves don't replace regular bookshelves for this.
The anvil, a different tool
The anvil repairs gear or combines it with a compatible enchanted book. It isn't a second table: no random roll here, you know what you're adding.
Where to start
No need to enchant your whole stock: start with a tool you use a lot, a pickaxe for example. That way, every level you spend really counts. To round out your gear, the guide to brewing your first potions takes over.
Sources and versions
Minecraft: tips for beginners, chiseled bookshelf, Enchanting Table, Minecraft Wiki. Sources checked in October 2026. Custom recipes and menus may differ.