The respawn anchor sets a player's spawn point in the Nether when charged with glowstone. It is crafted from crying obsidian and glowstone, and explodes if used in the Overworld.
Rows appear only when the underlying value is verified: the Java 1.8–1.12.2 row requires a reviewed historical numerical ID, and the Bedrock row appears only when this exact namespaced ID exists in the Bedrock registry.
Respawn Anchor in Minecraft: Setting Your Nether Spawn Point
Quick answer: Use minecraft:respawn_anchor in Java Edition commands. Craft it from six crying obsidian and three glowstone, charge it with up to four glowstone blocks, and use it to set a respawn point that works only in the Nether.
Crafting and charging the anchor
Crying obsidian comes from ruined portals and bartering with piglins, while glowstone is mined in the Nether or bought from clerics. Combine six crying obsidian around three glowstone blocks to craft the anchor.
The crafted anchor starts empty. Each glowstone block you feed it adds one charge, up to four, and every respawn consumes one charge. Keep spare glowstone next to the anchor so a death loop never strands you without charges.
Crafting: 6 crying obsidian + 3 glowstone blocks.
Charges: 1 glowstone block per charge, 4 maximum.
Crying obsidian: ruined portals, bastion chests, or piglin bartering.
Where the anchor works, and where it explodes
Use the charged anchor in the Nether to set your respawn point, the same way a bed works in the Overworld. Each death sends you back to the anchor until its charges run out, which makes Nether bases and long fortress runs far safer.
Never use a respawn anchor in the Overworld or the End: it explodes violently, similar to a bed in the Nether. Some players weaponize this blast for mining or PvP, but for normal play the rule is simple: Nether only.
Build With Respawn Anchor
minecraft:respawn_anchor is in the reviewed block catalog. Open a command tool with this ID already selected, then adjust the coordinates in the tool.
Need a different material? Browse Minecraft Block IDs or compare the related blocks below.
Respawn Anchor Command Examples
Give 1 to nearest player: /give @p minecraft:respawn_anchor 1
Give 1 to yourself: /give @s minecraft:respawn_anchor 1
Give to a specific player: /give PlayerName minecraft:respawn_anchor 1
Clear from inventory: /clear @p minecraft:respawn_anchor
Respawn Anchor FAQ
What is the item ID for Respawn Anchor?
The item ID for Respawn Anchor is minecraft:respawn_anchor. Java Edition commands such as /give, /clear, and /setblock use this namespaced ID.
How do I give myself Respawn Anchor in Minecraft?
Open the chat window and run /give @p minecraft:respawn_anchor 1 to give the nearest player one Respawn Anchor. Replace @p with a player name to target someone else.
How many Respawn Anchor can stack in one slot?
Respawn Anchor stacks up to 64 per inventory slot.
How do you craft Respawn Anchor?
Respawn Anchor is crafted on a crafting table with 6 crying obsidians and 3 glowstones, which yields 1 Respawn Anchor.
How do you use a respawn anchor?
Place it in the Nether, feed it glowstone blocks to add up to four charges, then interact with it to set your spawn point. Each respawn uses one charge, so refill it with glowstone when the charges run low.
Why did my respawn anchor explode?
Using a respawn anchor in the Overworld or the End causes a large explosion, mirroring what beds do in the Nether. Only set your spawn with an anchor inside the Nether dimension.
Can you craft crying obsidian for the anchor?
No, crying obsidian has no crafting recipe. Gather it from ruined portal frames, barter with piglins for a chance at it, or loot bastion remnant chests, then craft six of them with three glowstone blocks into the anchor.
Sources and Data Review
Item facts were reviewed for Java Edition 1.21.11 on .
