Minecraft offers its players three unique dimensions to explore. One is where you spawn, the other is mostly empty and the last one, Nether, is the most exciting place for you to be. It is the scariest dimension of Minecraft which is loaded with powerful mobs, dangerous areas, and also the greatest loot in the game. You can neither upgrade your gear to the fullest nor can you finish the game's story without visiting the Nether. But, let's not get ahead of ourselves. Before conquering the Nether, you first need to build a doorway to this dimension which is a massive task in itself. So, let's learn how to make a Nether portal in Minecraft in the easiest and fastest ways.
How to Make a Nether Portal in Minecraft (2023)
We are first going over the various aspects and mechanics of the Nether portal in Minecraft before moving to its creation. Feel free to skip ahead if you are already familiar with the portal's functionality.
What is a Nether Portal in Minecraft
A Nether portal, as the name suggests, is a gateway to the Nether dimension of Minecraft. It is the most dangerous dimension in the game, filled with dark biomes, oceans of lava, and deadly mobs. But at the same time, the Nether dimension also provides some of the best loot in Minecraft and you can't miss it if you want to beat the game.
Coming back to the portal itself, the Nether portal is the only way to reach the Nether dimension. It is the only craftable portal in Minecraft, unlike the End portal which spawns as a structure and leads to the End dimension. Though, you can't even activate the End portal without a trip to the Nether. This makes learning how to create a Nether portal an unskippable part of Minecraft.
Dimensions of a Nether Portal
As a structure, the Nether portal must be 4 blocks wide and 5 blocks tall to work. If you create a smaller variant than the suggested size then the portal won't activate. However, on the other hand, you can build a massive functional Nether portal up to 23 blocks high and 23 blocks wide. Though, other than the aesthetics, the larger structure doesn't serve any practical purpose.
Materials Needed to Make a Minecraft Nether Portal
You need to collect the following items to create a Nether portal in Minecraft:
- 10 Obsidian Blocks: Every Nether portal in Minecraft is built out of obsidian blocks. You need at least 10 of them to make a functional portal. However, you can use much more to make the portal larger.
- Flint and Steel: To activate a Nether portal, you have to light it with fire. There are multiple ways to do the same in Minecraft but Flint and Steel is the most reliable option.
- Diamond Pickaxe: You need a diamond pickaxe or stronger to mine the obsidian blocks.
How to Make a Diamond Pickaxe
Before we can get the building blocks for our Nether portal, you need a diamond pickaxe in Minecraft. Without it, you can't pick up obsidian, and thus, can't create a Nether portal in Minecraft. So, here's how to make a diamond pickaxe in no time:
1. First, find and mine three diamond ore blocks using an iron pickaxe to obtain three diamonds. They only generate below the world height of Y=16 in the Overworld.
2. Then, combine the three diamonds with 2 sticks on a crafting table using the following crafting recipe.
How to Get Obsidian Blocks
Obsidian blocks are one of the strongest blocks in Minecraft which only form when one lava source block merges with water. So, in the right circumstances, it's quite easy to make. Here's how.
1. Before anything else, you need to create a bucket in Minecraft to transport lava and water. You can combine three iron ingots using the following crafting recipe to make it.
2. Then, you have to look for a source of lava and a source of water. Lava pools are quite easy to find in the desert biome and caves of Minecraft. Meanwhile, water is quite common throughout the Overworld.
3. Once you find a lava source, use the bucket to pick up the lava. This only works with the source lava blocks and not flowing lava.
4. Next, empty the lava bucket on top of the water and it will immediately turn into an obsidian block. Then, use your diamond pickaxe to mine the obsidian block. You have to repeat the last two steps 10 times to get enough obsidian to make a Nether portal in Minecraft.
How to Get Flint and Steel
Now that you have all the items required to create a Nether portal in Minecraft, let's also get the key to activate it. That is Flint & Steel. It is a functional item in the game that light a fire when used on any solid block. Moreover, it is also the simplest item required to activate the Nether portal.
1. To create Flint and Steel, you first need to get an iron ingot. It can be obtained by smelting raw iron inside a furnace.
2. Next, you have to find and break gravel blocks to obtain flint. These blocks are quite common around water sources in the overworld. However, each gravel block only has a 10% chance of dropping flint when mined. So, you will have to replace the mined gravel block again and again until it drops flint.
3. Finally, once you have both of the ingredients, you have to place iron ingot and flint on the crafting table. There is no fixed arrangement for their crafting recipe so you can place them in any cell.
Steps to Create a Nether Portal in Minecraft
Once you have all the 10 obsidian blocks, it's time to arrange them into the correct formation. So, follow these steps to create a Nether portal in Minecraft:
1. First, place two obsidian blocks on the ground next to each other.
2. Then, place any building block on the outer side of each of the obsidian blocks. For this tutorial, we are going with dirt blocks.
3. Next, place three obsidian blocks on top of each dirt block.
4. Next, place one dirt block on top of any of the newly placed obsidian blocks. Then, place two obsidian blocks on the side of the dirt block. They should be parallel to the obsidian blocks you placed in the beginning. With that, your Nether portal is ready.
6. While most players go for a simple 10-block Nether portal in Minecraft, you don't have to limit yourself. If you have a large amount of obsidian, you can create a much larger portal as well.
How to Activate a Nether Portal
Now that your Nether portal is ready, it's time to activate it and unlock the Nether dimension of Minecraft. Fortunately, unlike building it, activating the portal doesn't involve much work. You just have to walk up to the Nether portal and use the Flint and Steel on its inner side. The portal will immediately activate and display a glowing purple fluid in it.
Alternately, you can also use fire charge, lava, and even lightning to activate the Nether portal. Any item that has the potential to ignite flame can activate it. Though, we suggest you stick with the good-old Flint and Steel which is the best method for beginners.
Once the portal is active, you just have to stand inside the portal and within seconds you will be teleported to the Nether dimension. Moreover, when you reach the new dimension you will notice another Nether portal marking your spawn point. This is your only way home so make sure to keep a note of its location before exploring your surroundings.
Make a Nether Portal with Speedrun Method
The traditional method of creating a Nether portal, which we just explained, is quite reliable and easy to follow. However, it is nowhere close to being the fastest method. You first need to collect diamonds which takes a lot of time and then you have to mine obsidian which is quite tiresome altogether.
So, if you are in a hurry or low on resources, let's figure out how to make a Nether portal with the speedrunning method. This can be the game-changing mechanic which sends you to the leaderboard of the best Minecraft survival servers.
1. First, you need to find a water source and collect water in your bucket. You only need one water bucket for the entire Nether portal.
2. Then, you have to find a large lava pool which must contain at least 10 lava source blocks.
3. Next, go towards the lava and place a dirt block in it. Then, empty your water bucket on the side of this block. You can also use other building blocks but we suggest you stick with dirt as it's quite easy to obtain.
4. Then, break the dirt block and let the water flow into its empty spot.
5. After that, use dirt blocks to create a temporary structure that looks like a back-support for the main portal. You should refer to the following image while constructing it.
6. Then, place water on the top block of the inner side and let it flow inside the temporary structure.
7. Finally, use a bucket to pick and place lava all around the water while creating the shape of a Nether portal. Then, use the same bucket to pick up the water. With that, your speedrun Nether portal is ready.
FAQ: Nether Portal in Minecraft
How much obsidian do I need for a portal?
You need at least 10 blocks of obsidian to create a Nether portal in Minecraft.
Can Nether portals be any size?
The Nether portal has to be at least 4 blocks wide and 5 blocks tall to function. Though, in terms of the maximum size, it can be 23x23.
What happens if you make a crying obsidian Portal?
Unfortunately, a Nether portal made out of crying obsidian doesn't work. Though, you can use these blocks in the corners of the portal to create a unique design.
Easily Make a Nether Portal in Minecraft
With that, you are now ready to create your own Nether portal in Minecraft. Whether you make it with the speedrunning method or by placing one obsidian at a time it's up to you. But one thing that's going to be inevitable is the dangers of the Nether dimension. So, make sure to gear up before entering the portal. Or you can even invite some friends over on a Minecraft server to get some additional support. The more the merrier.