Minecraft How To

How To Make A Nether Portal In Minecraft

A Nether Portal acts as a doorway between the Overworld and the Nether. It allows you to move between the Nether and the Overworld as often as you'd like.

Learn how to make a Nether Portal in Minecraft with our step-by-step instructions and video walk-through.

How To Make A Nether Portal Video Tutorial

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Available Platforms

Edition Platform Available
Java Edition Windows, Mac & Linux PC's Yes
Bedrock Edition Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android, Fire OS, Windows 10 PC's Yes
Education Edition Mac, iOs 12, Windows 10 PC's Yes
PlayStation Edition PlayStation 3 & 4 Yes

Tools & Supplies Needed

Steps To Make A Nether Portal

1. Build The Portal Frame

Build The Portal frame

First, we'll build the base of the portal by placing 4 obsidian blocks on the ground. Each side of the frame should be 5 obsidian high. And lastly, the top of the frame will be 4 obsidian wide. So, essentially the Nether Portal dimensions are 4 blocks wide X 5 blocks high. The frame will take a total of 14 obsidian.

You can place each block of obsidian using the following game controls:

  • Java Edition (PC/Mac), Windows 10 Edition, Education Edition: right click on the block
  • Pocket Edition (PE): tap the block
  • Xbox 360, Xbox One: press the LT button
  • PS3, PS4: press the L2 button
  • Wii U, Nintendo Switch: press the ZL button

2. Activate The Nether Portal

Activate the Nether Portal

Now we need to activate the portal using either 1 flint & steel or a fire charge.

To activate the Nether Portal using the flint & steel, select it in your hotbar, then position your pointer on one of the base blocks of the portal frame. Use the flint & steel with the following game controls:

  • Java Edition (PC/Mac), Windows 10 Edition, Education Edition: right click on the block
  • Pocket Edition (PE): tap the block
  • Xbox 360, Xbox One: press the LT button
  • PS3, PS4: press the L2 button
  • Wii U, Nintendo Switch: press the ZL button

After using the flint & steel, you'll notice the center of the portal frame turn a glowing purple color. And that's how to make a portal to the Nether.

3. Enter The Portal

Enter The Portal

Once the portal is active, simply walk through the center of the frame to enter the Nether. You can now explore the Nether! When you would like to return simply go back through the portal.

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