Chains are small yet incredibly useful decorative blocks in Minecraft. Whether you’re trying to hang lanterns in a medieval base or add realistic touches to your mines, chains offer a unique way to enhance your builds. If you’re new to the game or returning after a break, you might be wondering: how do you craft chain in Minecraft?
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about crafting and using chains, including:
- The crafting recipe
- How to gather the materials
- Where to use chains in your builds
- Bonus tips on finding them in survival
Let’s dive in!
What is a Chain in Minecraft?
A chain is a decorative block added in Minecraft Java Edition 1.16 and Bedrock Edition 1.16.100. It can be placed vertically or horizontally and is mainly used to:
- Hang lanterns
- Create realistic bridge supports
- Build chandeliers
- Design dungeon or blacksmith aesthetics
Chains are purely cosmetic—they don’t affect gameplay directly but are loved by builders for their versatility and visual detail.
⛓️Crafting Recipe for Chain
To craft one chain, you’ll need:
- 1 Iron Ingot
- 2 Iron Nuggets
Here’s how to place them in the crafting grid:
🧱 Use a Crafting Table. Place the items in the exact pattern shown above, and the chain will appear in the result slot on the right. Just click to collect!
How to Get the Materials
1. Iron Nuggets
You can obtain iron nuggets by:
- Smelting iron tools or armor
- Placing an iron ingot in the crafting grid → gives you 9 iron nuggets
This is especially handy when breaking down worn-out gear or loot from mobs like zombies and drowned.
2. Iron Ingot
To get iron ingots, you can:
- Mine iron ore and smelt it in a furnace
- Loot it from village chests, bastions, or ruins
- Kill iron golems (not recommended early-game)
Make sure you have enough coal or charcoal to smelt iron efficiently!
🏗️ How to Use Chains in Minecraft
Chains are extremely flexible for builders. Here are a few creative ways you can use them:
🕯️ 1. Hang Lanterns
Chains are most commonly used to suspend lanterns from ceilings or beams. It adds a medieval or rustic feel to your interior spaces.
🛠️ 2. Support Bridges
Want to build a hanging bridge? Chains make perfect suspension elements—especially if used with slabs or trapdoors.
🕸️ 3. Add Atmosphere in Mines and Dungeons
Chains can enhance the look of underground tunnels, prison cells, or forge areas. Combine them with cobblestone, blackstone, or anvils for dramatic effects.
💡 Pro tip:
Chains can be placed horizontally or vertically depending on your building needs. Just aim at the side of a block while placing!
🔍 Where to Find Chains in the World
If you don’t want to craft chains or you’re exploring naturally generated structures, here’s where you can find chains in the wild:
🏰 Bastion Remnants
- Common in Nether bastions
- Chains can be mined with any pickaxe (without Silk Touch)
⛓️ Ruined Portals
- Sometimes generate chains hanging around the frame
- Found both in the Overworld and the Nether
🧰 Loot Chests
Although not as common, you might occasionally find chains in loot chests in:
- Bastions
- Mineshafts
- Strongholds
🧠 Tips and Tricks for Efficient Use
- You can waterlog chains, making them great for underwater decorations.
- Chains do not connect to fences or walls like other structures—plan builds accordingly.
- Use trapdoors or slabs to cover chain ends for more visual polish.
🔗 Redstone Use?
As of version 1.20, chains have no function in redstone contraptions. They are purely decorative, though some creators use them as part of piston-based visual tricks or animation builds.
🧱 Other Decorative Alternatives
If you’re looking to vary your style, consider combining chains with:
- Lanterns or Soul Lanterns
- Grindstones
- Iron Bars
- Cobblestone Walls
- Dark Oak Trapdoors
These combinations can really bring your builds to life.
✅ Summary
Crafting chains in Minecraft is simple but opens the door to endless building creativity. With just a few iron nuggets and an ingot, you can add dramatic touches to your structures that truly stand out.
To recap:
| Material | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Iron Ingot | 1 |
| Iron Nugget | 2 |
Place them vertically in a crafting table, and you’re set!
