This Minecraft tutorial explains how to craft a book with screenshots and step-by-step instructions.

In Minecraft, a book is an important basic item in your inventory. Books can be used to make enchanted books or bookshelves.

How to make a book in minecraft

Let's explore how to make a book.

Supported Platforms

A book is available in the following versions of Minecraft:

Platform Supported (Version*)
 Java Edition (PC/Mac) Yes
 Pocket Edition (PE) Yes
 Xbox 360 Yes
 Xbox One Yes
 PS3 Yes
 PS4 Yes
 Wii U Yes
 Nintendo Switch Yes
 Windows 10 Edition Yes (0.12.1)
 Education Edition Yes

* The version that it was added or removed, if applicable.
NOTE: Pocket Edition (PE), Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch, and Windows 10 Edition are now called Bedrock Edition. We will continue to show them individually for version history.

Where to find a Book in Creative Mode

  • Java
  • PE
  • Xbox
  • PS
  • Nintendo
  • Win10
  • Edu

Minecraft Java Edition (PC/Mac)

Here is where you can find a book in the Creative Inventory menu:

Platform Version(s) Creative Menu Location
 Java Edition (PC/Mac) 1.8 - 1.19  Miscellaneous
 Java Edition (PC/Mac) 1.19.3  Ingredients

Definitions

  • Platform is the platform that applies.
  • Version(s) is the Minecraft version numbers where the item can be found in the menu location listed (we have tested and confirmed this version number).
  • Creative Menu Location is the location of the item in the Creative Inventory menu.

Required Materials to make a Book

These are the materials you can use to craft a book in Minecraft:

3 Papers
1 Leather

How to craft a Book in Survival Mode

1. Open the Crafting Menu

First, open your crafting table so that you have the 3x3 crafting grid that looks like this:

2. Add Items to make a Book

In the crafting menu, you should see a crafting area that is made up of a 3x3 crafting grid. To make a book, place 3 papers and 1 leather in the 3x3 crafting grid.

When making a book, it is important that the papers and leather are placed in the exact pattern as the image below. In the first row, there should be 1 paper in the first box, 1 paper in the second box, and 1 paper in the third box. In the second row, there should be 1 leather in the first box. This is the Minecraft crafting recipe for a book.

Now that you have filled the crafting area with the correct pattern, the book will appear in the box to the right.

3. Move the Book to Inventory

Once you have crafted a book, you need to move the new item to your inventory.

Congratulations, you have made a book in Minecraft!

Item ID and Name

  • Java
  • PE
  • Xbox
  • PS
  • Nintendo
  • Win10
  • Edu

Minecraft Java Edition (PC/Mac)

In Minecraft, a book has the following Name, ID and DataValue:

Item Description
(Minecraft ID Name)
Minecraft
ID
Data Value Stack Size Platform Version(s)
  Book
(minecraft:book)
340 0 64  Java 1.8 - 1.12
  Book
(minecraft:book)
340 64  Java 1.13 - 1.19.3