Comparison
Fortune vs Looting
Minecraft 1.21.8. Java Edition values.
Verdict
Fortune multiplies block drops (ore, crops, glowstone) — diamonds, emeralds, coal, redstone, lapis. Looting multiplies mob drops — string, sulfur, ender pearls. They go on completely different tools (Fortune on pickaxe/axe/shovel/hoe, Looting on sword) so it's not really a choice between them — it's a both-or-neither.
✓ Stackable — both can be applied to the same item.
Side-by-side stats
| Stat | Fortune | Looting |
|---|---|---|
| Max level | Level 3 | Level 3 |
| Applies to | Pickaxe, Axe, Shovel | Sword |
| Treasure-only | No | No |
| Curse | No | No |
| Mutually exclusive with the other | No | No |
When to pick each
Pick Fortune when…
You're mining or harvesting crops. Fortune III on a diamond pickaxe turns each diamond ore into 1-4 diamonds (avg ~2.2). The single best mining enchantment.
Pick Looting when…
You're mob farming. Looting III on a sword bumps rare drops (ender pearls from endermen, totems from Evokers) by ~3% per level and increases stack counts by 1 max per level.
Apply with /enchant
Fortune
Looting
Other enchantment comparisons
FAQ
- Fortune or Looting — which is better?
- Fortune multiplies block drops (ore, crops, glowstone) — diamonds, emeralds, coal, redstone, lapis. Looting multiplies mob drops — string, sulfur, ender pearls. They go on completely different tools (Fortune on pickaxe/axe/shovel/hoe, Looting on sword) so it's not really a choice between them — it's a both-or-neither.
- Can you have both Fortune and Looting on the same item?
- Yes. Fortune and Looting are not mutually exclusive — both can be applied to the same item via the anvil. They go on different tool types in most cases (Looting on swords, Fortune on mining tools), so combining them isn't typical.
- What's the max level of Fortune?
- Level 3. Looting caps at level 3. Higher max levels usually mean a stronger effect but also higher anvil XP cost to apply.
- When should I pick Looting over Fortune?
- You're mob farming. Looting III on a sword bumps rare drops (ender pearls from endermen, totems from Evokers) by ~3% per level and increases stack counts by 1 max per level.