Environment

How to Make Obsidian in Minecraft

Make Obsidian by pouring Water onto a Lava source block. The lava cools into Obsidian, which you then mine with a Diamond or Netherite pickaxe.

You'll need

  • Lava (source block)
  • Water

Station / tools

  • Diamond or Netherite Pickaxe

Yields: 1 Obsidian per lava source block

Step by step

  1. 1

    Find or place Lava

    Use a Lava source block — either a natural lava pool or one you place from a bucket. Only source blocks (not flowing lava) turn into Obsidian.

  2. 2

    Pour Water over it

    Empty a Water bucket so the water flows onto the lava source. It hardens into Obsidian on contact.

  3. 3

    Mine with the right pickaxe

    Obsidian takes about 9.4 seconds to mine with a Diamond pickaxe (a bit faster with Netherite). A lesser pickaxe destroys it with no drop.

Tips

  • 10 Obsidian builds the minimum Nether portal frame (you can skip the corners).
  • Flowing lava that hits water becomes Cobblestone or Stone, not Obsidian — you need a source block.
  • Carry a Water bucket and a few buckets of Lava to farm Obsidian anywhere.

FAQ

What pickaxe do I need to mine Obsidian?

A Diamond or Netherite pickaxe. Iron and lower will break the block but drop nothing.

Why did I get Cobblestone instead of Obsidian?

Water only makes Obsidian from a lava source block. Flowing lava cooled by water turns into Cobblestone or Stone.

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