Curse of Binding is a Minecraft Java Edition enchantment in the equippable group, with a maximum level of I. It is a curse and treasure-only.
minecraft:binding_curse
A cursed item cannot be removed from its equipment slot once you put it on — it only comes off when you die or the item breaks.
Tip: The classic prank: a carved pumpkin with Binding Curse, dispensed onto a friend's head, cannot be taken off. Yes, people do this.
Binding Curse is a curse, not a benefit — you never want it on your own gear. Its real uses are trolling (pumpkins and heads via dispensers), adventure-map design, and hardcore challenges. Grindstones cannot remove curses, so the only exits are death, breaking the item, or Creative mode.
Treasure enchantment — never on the enchanting table. Found as books in structure loot, from fishing, or from Librarian trades.
Hold a valid item in your main hand, then run (Java Edition 1.13+; the level is optional and defaults to 1):
This example applies the maximum level I. An anvil combines two matching levels only up to this maximum — higher levels exist only through commands.
Curse of Binding applies to armor pieces, the elytra, head items. Items from the reviewed catalog in this group:
The two curses: Binding locks the item to your body while you live, Vanishing deletes it when you die. Both are treasure-only books you apply with an anvil — mostly to prank.
Bedrock Edition: Binding Curse works the same in Bedrock Edition.
The enchantment ID for Curse of Binding is minecraft:binding_curse. Java Edition 1.13+ commands such as /enchant use this namespaced form. On Java 1.12.2 and earlier the numerical ID was 10.
Curse of Binding goes up to level I (level 1). Run /enchant @p minecraft:binding_curse 1 while holding a valid item to apply the maximum level.
You cannot unequip the item, and grindstones do not remove curses. The item comes off only when you die, when it breaks, or in Creative mode.
Yes — that is its most famous use. A carved pumpkin with Binding Curse placed on your head via dispenser cannot be removed until death.
No. Grindstones strip normal enchantments but leave curses in place.