How to Open a Crafting Table

This Minecraft tutorial explains how to open a crafting table with screenshots and step-by-step instructions.

In Minecraft, you need to open and use a crafting table to craft most items. Let's explore how to open a crafting table.

## Required Materials

In Minecraft, these are the materials you can use to open a crafting table:

## Background

When you start a new Minecraft game, you get a small 2x2 crafting grid that allows you to make very simple items.

If you do not yet have a crafting table, you can open this small 2x2 crafting menu as follows:

* For Java Edition (PC/Mac), press the `E` key to open the crafting menu.
* For Pocket Edition (PE), you tap the triple dotted button on the right of the hotbar to open the crafting menu.
* For PS3 and PS4, press the Square button  on the PS controller to open the crafting menu.
* For Xbox 360 and Xbox One, press the X button  on the Xbox controller to open the crafting menu.
* For Windows 10 Edition, press the `E` key to open the crafting menu.
* For Wii U, press the Y button on the gamepad to open the crafting menu.
* For Education Edition, press the `E` key to open the crafting menu.

Although the 2x2 crafting grid is great when you first get started. You will soon find that it is not big enough to craft more complex items such as tools, weapons, and armor.

To upgrade the crafting area, you need a crafting table. Once you have a crafting table, your craft menu will display a larger 3x3 crafting grid:

## Steps to Open a Crafting Table

### 1. Place the Crafting Table

First thing, make sure that you have made a crafting table.

Add the crafting table to your hotbar so that it is an item that you can use.

Next, position your pointer (the plus sign) on the block where you want to place the crafting table. You should see the block become highlighted in your game window.

The game control to place the crafting table depends on the version of Minecraft:

* For Java Edition (PC/Mac), right click on the block.
* For Pocket Edition (PE), you tap on the block.
* For Xbox 360 and Xbox One, press the LT button on the Xbox controller.
* For PS3 and PS4, press the L2 button on the PS controller.
* For Wii U, press the ZL button on the gamepad.
* For Nintendo Switch, press the ZL button on the controller.
* For Windows 10 Edition, right click on the block.
* For Education Edition, right click on the block.

Remember where you put your crafting table because you will need to open it each time you want to craft an item in the game.

### 2. Open the Crafting Table

To open your craft table, you need to stand in front of it.

The game control to open your crafting table depends on the version of Minecraft:

* For Java Edition (PC/Mac), right click on the crafting table.
* For Pocket Edition (PE), you tap on the crafting table.
* For PS3 and PS4, press the L2 button on the PS controller.
* For Xbox 360 and Xbox One, press the LT button on the Xbox controller.
* For Windows 10 Edition, right click on the crafting table.
* For Wii U, press the ZL button on the gamepad.
* For Nintendo Switch, press the ZL button on the controller.
* For Education Edition, right click on the crafting table.

Now your crafting table is open and you can see your 3x3 crafting menu.

**TIP:** Be sure to add items to your hotbar so that you start crafting items.

Congratulations, you just learned how to open your crafting table in Minecraft.