Name tags in Minecraft are tricky to get but are one of the more interesting items in the game. These items allow players to name any mob in the game except for the ender dragon. This feature makes them desirable to Minecraft players who want to add an extra layer of personalization to their world.

But despite this desirability, name tags cannot be crafted in Minecraft. Players have to either trade for, fish up, or find these items. The first and most reliable method is trading with a max-level librarian. Each name tag costs the player 20 emeralds. This method for acquiring name tags is the only way to guarantee access to the item but it requires a significant investment of materials.

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How to Get Name Tags in Minecraft

Name tags also spawn in a handful of places around the Minecraft world. In the Java edition, name tags typically spawn in dungeons, mineshafts, as well as in woodland mansions. For Bedrock edition players, this item spawns in the same locations as well as in buried treasure. Players need to first find a treasure map in order to locate buried treasure. These maps spawn in shipwrecks and underwater ruins.

methods minecraft for name tag

The last method for getting name tags is with a fishing rod. When players fish in Minecraft they can catch items from three categories: fish, junk, and treasure. Regardless of what biome a player is fishing in, there is a 5% chance they will catch something in the treasure category. Of the treasure options, there is a 16.7% chance the catch will be a name tag. The Luck of the Sea enchantments increases the drop rate for this item when attached to a fishing rod.

Once a name tag is acquired, Minecraft players will need to use an anvil in order to name their desired mob. To produce a proper name tag, players need to place it in the far left space and enter a name in the area on top. Grabbing the name tag in the far right space produces the finished name tag and the cost to the player is one level.

making a name tag minecraft

Naming a Minecraft mob removes the name tag from a player's inventory permanently. The mob should then display the name just above its head and, with few exceptions, will never despawn. Wandering traders are the main exception to this rule but named silverfish aren't guaranteed to stick around either.

Minecraft has also added in Easter eggs with regard to this item. All mobs named "dinnerbone" or "Grumm" will flip upside down, a sheep with the name of "jeb_" will appear to change colors, a rabbit named "Toast" gets a new skin, and a vindicator named "Johnny" becomes especially violent.

Minecraft is available now on Mobile, PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox One, and various other platforms.

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