How to Make a Bucket in Minecraft

Last Updated: January 24, 2024

In Minecraft, buckets are used to carry liquids, such as water, lava and milk. If you need to move liquid from one place to another or store a liquid, you need to make a bucket. You may already have the items required in your inventory, if not, you'll have to find what you'll need before you start crafting a bucket.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Obtaining Iron Ingots

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d1\/Make-a-Bucket-in-Minecraft-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-a-Bucket-in-Minecraft-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d1\/Make-a-Bucket-in-Minecraft-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/aid3232823-v4-728px-Make-a-Bucket-in-Minecraft-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Mine with a stone, iron or diamond pickaxe.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/9a\/Make-a-Bucket-in-Minecraft-Step-2-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-a-Bucket-in-Minecraft-Step-2-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/9a\/Make-a-Bucket-in-Minecraft-Step-2-Version-3.jpg\/aid3232823-v4-728px-Make-a-Bucket-in-Minecraft-Step-2-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

You'll need 3 ingots.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Crafting the Bucket

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/a6\/Make-a-Bucket-in-Minecraft-Step-3-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-a-Bucket-in-Minecraft-Step-3-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/a6\/Make-a-Bucket-in-Minecraft-Step-3-Version-3.jpg\/aid3232823-v4-728px-Make-a-Bucket-in-Minecraft-Step-3-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/3c\/Make-a-Bucket-in-Minecraft-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-a-Bucket-in-Minecraft-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/3c\/Make-a-Bucket-in-Minecraft-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/aid3232823-v4-728px-Make-a-Bucket-in-Minecraft-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

2
Place the three iron ingots into the crafting grid squares. They must be arranged in a "V" shape, so try either:
- 2 iron ingots in the center side squares and one in the center base square; or
- 2 iron ingots in the top side squares and one in the center square.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/ee\/Make-a-Bucket-in-Minecraft-Step-5-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-a-Bucket-in-Minecraft-Step-5-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/ee\/Make-a-Bucket-in-Minecraft-Step-5-Version-3.jpg\/aid3232823-v4-728px-Make-a-Bucket-in-Minecraft-Step-5-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Shift click or drag the bucket to your inventory.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Using a Bucket

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/41\/Make-a-Bucket-in-Minecraft-Step-6-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-a-Bucket-in-Minecraft-Step-6-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/41\/Make-a-Bucket-in-Minecraft-Step-6-Version-3.jpg\/aid3232823-v4-728px-Make-a-Bucket-in-Minecraft-Step-6-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Find water in ponds, rivers, lakes, oceans, etc. Right click with the bucket in your hand to fill. Water is the one liquid you can place down without causing harm.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/be\/Make-a-Bucket-in-Minecraft-Step-7-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-a-Bucket-in-Minecraft-Step-7-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/be\/Make-a-Bucket-in-Minecraft-Step-7-Version-3.jpg\/aid3232823-v4-728px-Make-a-Bucket-in-Minecraft-Step-7-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Find lava underground in lava pools. Rarely, you may find a lava pool spawning above the surface. Right click with the bucket in your hand to fill. Take care not to fall in while retrieving. Also take care not to place the bucket of lava in such a way as to accidentally burn down your house (and kill off your character).
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/de\/Make-a-Bucket-in-Minecraft-Step-8-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-a-Bucket-in-Minecraft-Step-8-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/de\/Make-a-Bucket-in-Minecraft-Step-8-Version-3.jpg\/aid3232823-v4-728px-Make-a-Bucket-in-Minecraft-Step-8-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Right click on a cow. It is the one liquid that is not placeable in the unmodified version of the game. You can use it to make a cake or drink it to rid yourself of either negative or positive potion effects (depends on the potion).

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

Would I have to dig deep to find iron?

Community Answer

It depends on your location. Sometimes it is available in a nearby cave, and you don't have to go in very deep. But it varies.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 13 Helpful 46
Question

Can I get iron ingots from villagers?

Community Answer

Yes, sometimes you can.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 9 Helpful 29
Question

Can I fill a bowl with water?

Community Answer

No. You could use a glass bottle if you wanted to drink the water; just right-click on water with the bottle in your hand.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 11 Helpful 25

See more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Video

Tips

Use a bucket to gain a pocket of air when underwater. Right click while holding the empty bucket and your character will get a temporary pocket of air forming around its head. This will last until the air meter is replenished. This can be used repeatedly if there is a block nearby; empty the bucket onto the block by right clicking, then breathe again. Keep using as long as required to remain underwater.

Thanks
Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
Empty buckets will stack in your inventory; buckets filled with a liquid will not.

Thanks
Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Things You'll Need

Minecraft game, installed

Log in

How to Make a Bucket in Minecraft

Steps

Obtaining Iron Ingots

Crafting the Bucket

Using a Bucket

Community Q&A

Video

Tips

Things You'll Need

You Might Also Like

References

About This Article

Did this article help you?

About This Article

Quizzes

You Might Also Like

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Featured Articles

Featured Articles

Watch Articles

Trending Articles

Explore Categories