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Commands / Enchanting

How to Use the /enchant Command

The /enchant command writes an enchantment straight onto your held item, no XP, no anvil, no gambling at the table. Run /enchant @p sharpness 5 and the sword is maxed in one line.

server console, survival.world
[12:04:51] [Server thread/INFO]: Holding: diamond_sword
[12:04:52] [Server thread/INFO]: Operator typed a command...
>/enchant @p sharpness 5
[12:04:55] [Server thread/INFO]: Applied enchantment Sharpness V to Steve
[12:04:55] [Server thread/INFO]: <Steve> my sword glows now
Diamond Sword, Sharpness V (no XP, no anvil)
The command, line by line
  1. 1
    Hold the item
    Put the tool, weapon, or armor you want to enchant in your main hand. /enchant only targets the held item.
  2. 2
    Open chat or console
    Press T in-game (you need OP or cheats on), or type straight into the server console with no slash.
  3. 3
    Type the command
    Run /enchant @p sharpness 5, target, enchantment ID, then level. @p hits the nearest player; use @s for yourself.
  4. 4
    Check the level cap
    The level must be valid for that enchant. Vanilla rejects anything above the max unless you raise it from console with a player target.
  5. 5
    Confirm the result
    The console prints "Applied enchantment Sharpness V" and the item updates instantly, no experience cost, no anvil.

What you need

Held item to enchant
Enchantment ID
Anvil (the slow way)
Table alternative

Quick answers

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What is the full syntax?

/enchant <target> <enchantment> [level]. Example: /enchant @p sharpness 5. Level defaults to 1 if you leave it off.
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Does it cost XP or levels?

No. /enchant is a cheat-style command, it applies the enchantment for free, unlike an enchanting table or anvil.
?

Can I enchant another player's item?

Yes. Use their name or a selector like @a, but it only affects whatever item that player is currently holding.
?

Why does it say the enchantment can't be applied?

The item must support that enchant (you can't put Sharpness on a pickaxe) and the level must be within range. Use an anvil for higher-than-vanilla levels.
?

What's the difference between /enchant and an anvil?

An anvil combines books and items and costs XP and levels. /enchant skips all of that and writes the enchantment directly, but it follows vanilla level caps.
?

How do I get Sharpness above 5?

Vanilla /enchant won't go past the max. Use /give with NBT/components, an anvil with stacked books, or a plugin like EssentialsX for over-leveled enchants.

/enchant at a glance

Syntax

/enchant <targets> <enchantment> [<level>]

Who may run it

OP (L2)

What it does

Enchants the item held in a player's main hand. Only allows enchantments that are compatible with the held…

Three things /enchant is actually used for

/enchant @s minecraft:sharpness 5
Puts Sharpness V on the item in your main hand, if that item can take it.
/enchant @s minecraft:efficiency 5
Maxes out mining speed on the held tool without an anvil or a table.
/enchant @p minecraft:unbreaking 3
Adds Unbreaking III to whatever the nearest player is holding.

/enchant sits with the player commands in Minecraft, 12 of them in total. The ones with a guide here: /effect, /experience, /gamemode, /give, /teleport, /tp, /xp.

Every command with its full argument list lives in the command reference.

Blocks and items in this guide

Enchanted Book in MinecraftEnchanted BookDiamond Sword in MinecraftDiamond SwordBookshelf in MinecraftBookshelfRedstone in MinecraftRedstoneDiamond in MinecraftDiamondTarget in MinecraftTarget

All 6 of these are named in the guide above, starting with Enchanted Book. Look them up in the item database.

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