Sharpness Enchantment in Minecraft

Sharpness is a Minecraft enchantment for sword, axe. Increases melee damage. Its maximum level through normal enchanting is V. This page lists what it does, which items accept it, how to get it and the command to apply it in Java Edition and Bedrock Edition.

Sharpness at a glance

How to get Sharpness

• Enchanting table: it can appear as one of the offered enchantments when you spend lapis lazuli and levels on a compatible item.
• Enchanted books: find them in chests, trade with librarian villagers or fish them up, then combine the book on an anvil. Our anvil calculator shows the level cost.
• Commands: see below.

Sharpness command

Apply it to the item in your main hand:

/enchant @s sharpness 5

The /enchant command only accepts levels up to the normal maximum and only on items that can take the enchantment. To make an item with any level, use the give command generator on Java Edition. See the /enchant wiki page for the full syntax.

Tips for Sharpness

• Enchantments that conflict cannot be on the same item. Cannot be combined with Smite or Bane of Arthropods.
• Combine two books of the same level on an anvil to raise the level by one, up to the maximum.
• Prior work penalty makes each extra anvil step cost more, so plan the order of combinations. See how to use an anvil.

When to use it

Sharpness is the usual damage choice for a sword or axe against all mob types. Smite and Bane of Arthropods are situational alternatives, and the three cannot be combined on one weapon.

Command block guide · All Minecraft commands

Sharpness FAQ

What is the maximum level of Sharpness?

V with the enchanting table and anvil.

What items can have Sharpness?

Sword, axe.

What is the command for Sharpness?

/enchant @s sharpness 5 while holding a compatible item, with cheats enabled.