Terracotta is one of the most versatile building blocks in Minecraft. Terracotta is useful when creating nearly any structure type with over thirty variants, including the glazed version, to choose from. While it naturally generates in Minecraft, you can also craft it with the right resources. This guide will teach you how to make and obtain terracotta in Minecraft Java and Bedrock Editions.

How to Make Terracotta in Minecraft Java and Bedrock

To obtain terracotta in Minecraft, you’ll need access to clay, fuel sources and a furnace. For every clay you smelt in a furnace, you’ll receive one uncolored terracotta block. Below you’ll find more information about each item:

  • Clay: Typically spawns in either shallow water, such as a lake or pond, or lush caves. Clay blocks drop four clay balls when broken but can be re-crafted in your inventory or a crafting table.
  • Furnace: While a regular furnace is the most common and easily attainable, you can use smokers or blast furnaces. To craft a furnace, use eight cobblestones in a crafting table and make an “O” shape.
  • Fuel: You’ll need a fuel source to light the furnace for your clay. While wood and clay are some of the more commonly used fuel sources, you can also use dried kelp, lava, blaze rods, bamboo or saplings. Alternatively, you can use wooden items such as tools, bowls, crafting tables and ladders, depending on which Minecraft version you’re playing.

You can also dye terracotta blocks using one of the sixteen dyes available in Minecraft. To make colored terracotta, place eight uncolored terracotta blocks into a crafting table and make an “O” shape. Place the dye of your choice in the center of the circle. You’ll obtain eight colored terracotta in return. Once you make dyed terracotta, you can’t change the color again. However, you can place the colored terracotta back into a furnace to create glazed terracotta.

If you don’t have the crafting materials to make terracotta, there are alternative ways to find some. Terracotta naturally spawns in Badlands biomes. Also known as Mesa biomes, Badlands biomes are primarily made up of red sand, terracotta and stone. In particular, if you’re travelling in desert biomes, there’s a chance you’ll encounter a Badlands biome along the way.

Minecraft is available on PC, Android, iOS, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation platforms.