Comparison
Diamond Sword vs Diamond Axe
Minecraft 1.21.8. Java Edition values.
Verdict
Sword: 7 damage × 1.6 speed = 11.2 DPS. Axe: 9 damage × 1.0 speed = 9 DPS. Sword wins on raw DPS, axe wins on per-hit punch and the shield-disable mechanic. If you're not breaking shields, pick the sword.
Side-by-side stats
Highlighted cell wins that row.
| Stat | Diamond Sword | Diamond Axe |
|---|---|---|
| Attack damage | 7 | 9 |
| Attack speed | 1.6/s | 1/s |
| DPS | 11.2 | 9 |
| Durability | 1,561 | 1,561 |
| Disables shields | No | Yes (5s) |
| Can chop wood | No | Yes |
When to pick each
Pick Sword when…
General combat. Faster swings, better crit count, and you can still apply Knockback. The axe's slower attack speed means more whiffed hits against fast-moving mobs (spiders, blazes).
Pick Axe when…
Shield-using opponents. A landed crit-axe hit with Sharpness V can one-shot a player while disabling their shield for 5 seconds — sword can't match that opener.
Get these tools
Diamond Sword
Diamond Axe
Other tool comparisons
- Netherite Sword vs Diamond Sword
- Netherite Pickaxe vs Diamond Pickaxe
- Netherite Axe vs Diamond Axe
- Diamond Pickaxe vs Iron Pickaxe
- Golden Pickaxe vs Diamond Pickaxe
- Iron Pickaxe vs Stone Pickaxe
- Diamond Sword vs Iron Sword
- Diamond Axe vs Iron Axe
- Iron Sword vs Stone Sword
- Diamond Sword vs Golden Sword
- Netherite Sword vs Netherite Axe
- Netherite Shovel vs Diamond Shovel
- Iron Axe vs Stone Axe
- Stone Pickaxe vs Wooden Pickaxe
FAQ
- Should I use a sword or axe in Minecraft?
- Sword: 7 damage × 1.6 speed = 11.2 DPS. Axe: 9 damage × 1.0 speed = 9 DPS. Sword wins on raw DPS, axe wins on per-hit punch and the shield-disable mechanic. If you're not breaking shields, pick the sword.
- Which does more damage, Diamond Sword or Diamond Axe?
- Per swing: Diamond Sword hits for 7, Diamond Axe for 9. Per second: Diamond Sword is 11.2 DPS at 1.6 attacks/sec; Diamond Axe is 9 DPS at 1.0 attacks/sec.
- Does an axe disable shields?
- Yes. An axe attack disables the target's shield for 5 seconds (1.21+). Swords don't have this property. In PvP, a critical axe hit followed by additional damage is one of the highest-burst openers in vanilla.
- Which has more durability, Diamond Sword or Diamond Axe?
- Both use diamond so they have the same durability: 1,561 uses. Material is the only thing that determines durability — tool type doesn't change it.