Sharpness is a Minecraft Java Edition enchantment in the sharp weapon group, with a maximum level of V.
minecraft:sharpness
Increases the melee damage of swords and axes. On Java Edition it adds 1 damage at level I and +0.5 for each further level, so Sharpness V adds 3 damage (1.5 hearts) to every hit, against every mob type.
Tip: Sharpness V on a netherite sword is the best all-purpose melee setup. Pair it with Looting III when farming mob drops.
Sharpness is the default damage pick because it works against everything — Smite and Bane of Arthropods hit harder per level but only against undead or arthropods. Applied to an axe via an anvil, Sharpness V turns it into the hardest-hitting melee weapon per swing, at the cost of attack speed. It cannot share an item with Smite, Bane of Arthropods, Density, Breach, or Impaling.
Enchanting table, Librarian villager trades, structure chest loot, and fishing treasure. The reliable route to Sharpness V is combining two Sharpness IV books or items on an anvil.
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 V. An anvil combines two matching levels only up to this maximum — higher levels exist only through commands.
Sharpness applies to swords, spears, axes. Items from the reviewed catalog in this group:
These enchantments cannot be on the same item as Sharpness (source: minecraft-data 1.21 registry):
Smite adds 2.5 damage per level, far more than Sharpness — but only against undead (zombies, skeletons, the wither). Sharpness adds less per level and works on everything. For a general-purpose sword take Sharpness; for a wither fight or an undead farm, a dedicated Smite V sword wins.
Density is the mace's damage enchantment, and the two never compete: maces cannot have Sharpness, and swords or axes cannot have Density. If your main weapon is a sword or axe, max Sharpness; if you main a mace, Density is its Sharpness equivalent.
Bedrock Edition: On Bedrock Edition Sharpness adds 1.25 damage per level (rounded down), so Sharpness V adds 6 damage (3 hearts) — double the Java bonus.
The enchantment ID for Sharpness is minecraft:sharpness. Java Edition 1.13+ commands such as /enchant use this namespaced form. On Java 1.12.2 and earlier the numerical ID was 16.
Sharpness goes up to level V (level 5). Run /enchant @p minecraft:sharpness 5 while holding a valid item to apply the maximum level.
Yes. Combine any axe with a Sharpness book on an anvil. A Sharpness V netherite axe out-damages a sword per swing, which is why axes are popular in PvP — but they swing slower.
No. The mace uses its own damage enchantments, Density and Breach, which are mutually exclusive with Sharpness. Swords and axes cannot have Density or Breach either.
Sharpness for general use: +3 damage at V against everything. Smite for undead only: +12.5 damage at V against zombies, skeletons, withers and other undead. Most players max Sharpness on their main sword and keep a Smite V sword for wither fights.
Combine two Sharpness IV items or books on an anvil. You can source the IV books from Librarian villagers (reroll trades by breaking and replacing the lectern), the enchanting table, or structure loot.