How to Make a Nether Portal in Minecraft
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Minecraft
How to Make a Nether Portal in Minecraft
Tips
The Nether portal is one of the most important structures in Minecraft. The Nether gives you access to
Netherite, Blaze Rods for brewing, Nether Wart for potions and advanced brewing using
potions fast travel between distant Overworld locations. Building a Nether highway — a straight tunnel in the Nether connecting portals — is one of the best ways to travel huge distances in survival mode.
⚡ Quick Answer
Step by Step
Build a 4×5 frame of Obsidian (minimum size), leaving the inside hollow. Then activate it with Flint and Steel by right-clicking the inside. You need at least 10 obsidian blocks for the minimum size portal.
1
Get at least 10 Obsidian. Mine it with a Diamond or Netherite pickaxe — no other pickaxe works. Obsidian forms where water flows over lava source blocks.
2
Build the frame. Place obsidian in a rectangle: 4 blocks wide and 5 blocks tall. The corners are optional — you only need the 4 sides. That’s 10 blocks minimum (without corners) or 14 with corners.
3
Craft Flint and Steel. You need 1 Iron Ingot + 1 Flint (dropped by gravel). Combine them in a crafting grid — no pattern needed.
4
Activate the portal. Right-click any block on the inside of the frame with the Flint and Steel. The portal fills with a purple swirling effect. It’s ready.
5
Step inside and wait 4 seconds to be transported to the Nether. Stand still — moving cancels the teleport.
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No
diamond pickaxe yet? Pour a bucket of water over a lava source to create obsidian without mining — then activate it in place using a mold made of dirt or stone.
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You can make larger portals (up to 23×23) — bigger portals look impressive but work the same way.
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Ghasts in the Nether can deactivate your portal with fireballs — bring extra Flint and Steel or a Fire Charge to relight it.
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Build a second portal near your Nether base to travel fast — 1 block in the Nether = 8 blocks in the Overworld.