GUIDE · STRONGHOLD · ENDER DRAGON
How to Get to the End
To get to the End in Minecraft, craft Eyes of Ender, follow them to a stronghold, fill the end portal frame, and jump in. Here’s every step, from blaze rods to beating the Ender Dragon.
Stronghold finderStronghold calculator
Free guide for Java and Bedrock, written for Minecraft 1.21 and newer.
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Stronghold Finder
See every stronghold ring, so you need fewer Eyes of Ender.
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Nether & End
Fortresses, bastions, end cities and end gateways.
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About This Guide
The End is the final dimension, home of the Ender Dragon, End cities, and Elytra. Getting there is a project that takes you through the Nether and back, but it’s straightforward once you know the order. Follow these steps and bring good gear.
What You Need
| Item | Amount | Where to get it |
|---|---|---|
| Ender Pearls | 12 to 16 | Endermen, or trade with clerics |
| Blaze powder | 12 to 16 | From blaze rods in Nether fortresses |
| Eyes of Ender | Up to 12 (plus spares) | Craft 1 Ender Pearl + 1 blaze powder |
Step 1: Get Blaze Rods
Blazes spawn in Nether fortresses. Use the Nether fortress finder to find the closest fortress, kill blazes, and collect about 7 to 8 blaze rods. Each rod crafts into 2 blaze powder.
Step 2: Get Ender Pearls
Kill Endermen at night in the Overworld, or in warped forests in the Nether, where they spawn a lot. Clerics in villages can also trade Ender Pearls for emeralds.
Step 3: Craft Eyes of Ender
Combine 1 Ender Pearl and 1 blaze powder in a crafting table. Make at least 12, plus a few extra, since thrown eyes can break.
Step 4: Find the Stronghold
Throw an Eye of Ender and follow it. When it floats down instead of forward, you’re above the stronghold. Two faster options:
- With your seed, use the stronghold finder.
- Without a seed, use the stronghold calculator with two throws.
Step 5: Activate the End Portal
Find the portal room with the silverfish spawner. The portal has 12 frames. Place an Eye of Ender in every empty frame, and the portal lights up.
Step 6: Prepare for the Dragon
- Diamond or netherite armor and a sword
- A bow with plenty of arrows
- Blocks, a pickaxe, food, and a water bucket
- Slow Falling and healing potions
- Set your spawn with a bed near the portal
Step 7: Beat the Ender Dragon
- Destroy the end crystals on top of the obsidian pillars with arrows. Some sit in iron cages, so climb up and break the cage first.
- When the dragon perches on the center fountain, hit it with your sword.
- Avoid the dragon’s breath, the purple cloud it spits.
After the dragon dies, an exit portal opens, and an End gateway appears for the Elytra hunt.
Related Minecraft Tools
Free tools that help with this guide:
- Minecraft Seed Map: the full map with every biome and structure
- Stronghold Finder: Find the End portal by seed
- Stronghold Calculator: Find it with two Eye of Ender throws
- Nether Fortress Finder: Fortresses, bastions & End cities
- End City Finder: End cities and Elytra by seed
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Eyes of Ender do I need?
Up to 12 for the portal. Each frame has a 10% chance to already hold one, and thrown eyes break 20% of the time, so make 15 or more.
Can I build an end portal?
Not in survival. End portal frames can’t be obtained, so you must use a stronghold portal.
How do I get back from the End?
Jump into the exit portal after beating the dragon, or die and respawn.
Does it work the same on Bedrock?
Yes, the steps are the same on Bedrock.
Final Thoughts
Getting to the End is a checklist: blaze rods, Ender Pearls, Eyes of Ender, a stronghold, and a full portal. Gear up, destroy the crystals, and the dragon is yours.
