Minecraft guide: How to make a Nether Portal

To travel in the Nether and find Piglins and other newer content, Minecraft players will first have to make a Nether Portal. In this guide, we’ll show you how.

Collecting the materials for a Nether Portal

To do this, you’ll need Obsidian, a very hard block type that can only be harvested using a Diamond or Netherite Pickaxe. Obsidian can be found in mines along pools of lava. You can also make it by pouring a Bucket filled with water over lava.

Note that Obsidian will only be produced by this if the water is poured onto “source lava,” rather than the lava that spreads from the source block. Pools of source lava can be found within mines, as well as on top of mountains. Simply mine around and keep your eyes out for some areas that have light. This means there’s likely lava lighting up the dark caves nearby.

Image: Mojang/Microsoft via Polygon

You can also find Obsidian in lava springs in mines, already made and ready for your pickaxe.

Image: Mojang/Microsoft via Polygon

Once you get your Obsidian, you’ll also need a source of fire to make the Nether Portal. The easiest way to do this is to use Flint and Steel, which is made from an Iron Ingot and Flint. Flint is dropped from mining Gravel.

Making the Nether Portal

After you have all your materials, you just have to do the following:

1. Place the Obsidian in a three-by-four rectangle frame shape. (See the image below.)
2. Use the Flint and Steel while standing in the frame.

Image: Mojang/Microsoft via Polygon

This will create your Nether Portal. Note that you do not have to place the corner pieces of the portal if you don’t want to. The portal will still function without the corners.

Standing in the portal for more than four seconds will take you to the Nether. Be aware that the Nether is filled with dangers, and it’s recommended that you have some Gold Armor before you head in, or else Piglins will immediately aggro you.