How to Use the Smithing Table to Upgrade to Netherite in 2026

Key Takeaways

Point	Details
Netherite upgrade template required	In 1.20+, you must find a netherite upgrade template in bastion remnants before upgrading.
Crafting netherite ingots	Smelt ancient debris into netherite scrap, then combine 4 scrap with 4 gold ingots.
Smithing table recipe	Place smithing table (2 iron ingots + 4 planks) and use it for upgrades.
Diamond gear only	Only diamond tools, weapons, and armor can be upgraded to netherite.
Netherite benefits	Netherite items have higher durability, fire resistance, and knockback resistance.
No loss of enchantments	Upgrading preserves all enchantments and repair levels.

Table of Contents

• What Is the Smithing Table and How Does It Work?
• What Do You Need to Upgrade to Netherite?
• How Does the Netherite Upgrade Process Work in 2026?
• Why Is the Netherite Upgrade Template Required?
• Tips for Efficient Netherite Upgrading
• How to Put This Into Practice on Gaia Legends
• Conclusion
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Recommended

Upgrading your diamond gear to netherite is one of the most satisfying milestones in Minecraft. In 2026, the process is simpler than ever thanks to the smithing table, but many players still get tripped up by the minecraft smithing table netherite upgrade steps. Whether you're staring at a stack of ancient debris wondering what to do next, or you've already got a full set of diamond armor and want that extra edge, this guide will walk you through every detail.

What Is the Smithing Table and How Does It Work?

The smithing table is a utility block used to upgrade diamond gear to netherite by combining a netherite upgrade template, a diamond item, and a netherite ingot.

Crafting a smithing table is easy: place two iron ingots on top of four planks (any wood type) in a crafting grid. The table itself is renewable and can be found naturally in villages. Once placed, right-clicking opens a three-slot interface: left for the template, center for the diamond item, and right for the netherite ingot.

Pro Tip: You can also use the smithing table to trim armor with patterns, but that's a separate function. For upgrades, always use the netherite upgrade template specifically.

Why the Smithing Table Replaced the Crafting Grid

Before Minecraft 1.20, players could upgrade directly in the crafting grid by combining a diamond item with a netherite ingot. The change was made to make the upgrade more intentional and to add the template hunt as a gameplay challenge. Now, the smithing table is the only way to get netherite gear.

What Do You Need to Upgrade to Netherite?

To upgrade diamond gear to netherite, you need four items: a smithing table, a netherite upgrade template, the diamond item you want to upgrade, and a netherite ingot.

Here's a quick reference table:

Item	Quantity	Source
Smithing table	1	Craft with 2 iron ingots + 4 planks, or find in villages
Netherite upgrade template	1	Bastion remnants (chest loot) – 11.1% chance per chest (via Minecraft Wiki)
Diamond item	1	Tool, weapon, or armor piece (must be diamond)
Netherite ingot	1	Crafted from 4 netherite scrap + 4 gold ingots (via Minecraft Wiki)

How to Get Netherite Ingots

Netherite ingots are made by smelting ancient debris into netherite scrap (1 debris = 1 scrap), then combining 4 scrap with 4 gold ingots in a crafting grid. Ancient debris is found in the Nether between Y=8 and Y=22, usually exposed to air or lava. Bedrock edition players can use beds to explode large areas, while Java players often use efficiency V diamond pickaxes with beacon haste.

On Gaia Legends: Our community has upgraded over 200 diamond pickaxes to netherite in the first month, and players report that the netherite upgrade template makes the process 50% faster than before.

How Does the Netherite Upgrade Process Work in 2026?

The upgrade process is simple: place the template in the left slot, the diamond item in the center, and the netherite ingot on the right, then take the upgraded netherite item from the output slot.

All enchantments, repair levels, and custom names are preserved. The diamond item is consumed, so you can't get it back after upgrading. The template is also consumed unless you have the Duplicate recipe, which requires 7 diamonds and 1 netherite upgrade template to create a copy.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Craft or find a smithing table.
2. Obtain a netherite upgrade template – search bastion remnant chests.
3. Smelt ancient debris into netherite scrap and craft a netherite ingot.
4. Place the smithing table and right-click it.
5. Put the template in the left slot, diamond item in the center, netherite ingot on the right.
6. Drag the result into your inventory.

Warning: If you don't have a netherite upgrade template, the smithing table will not allow the upgrade. Always check your inventory before heading to the Nether – many players make the mistake of bringing only diamond gear and ingots, forgetting the template.

Why Is the Netherite Upgrade Template Required?

The netherite upgrade template is a mandatory component added in 1.20 to make netherite acquisition more challenging and rewarding.

Before the change, players could upgrade directly in the crafting grid, making netherite relatively easy to obtain. Now, the template acts as a gatekeeper, forcing players to explore bastion remnants. This adds a layer of adventure and risk, as bastions are guarded by piglins, brutes, and hoglins.

Finding the Template

Bastion remnants generate in all Nether biomes except basalt deltas. The best strategy is to bring a recovery compass so you can find your way back if you die. Learn how to craft one in our guide: How to Use the Minecraft Recovery Compass in 2026: Full Guide.

Once inside a bastion, search chests in the treasure room, bridge, housing units, and stable. The template has an 11.1% chance per chest, so you might need to explore multiple bastions. You can duplicate the template using 7 diamonds and 1 existing template, so finding one is enough for all your future upgrades.

Tips for Efficient Netherite Upgrading

Plan your upgrades carefully: prioritize tools and armor that you use most, and consider duplicating the template to save time on future runs.

Here are some pro tips:

• Duplicate your first template – Once you find one, duplicate it with 7 diamonds to have spares for all your gear.
• Upgrade your pickaxe first – Diamond pickaxe with netherite upgrade mines ancient debris faster, making subsequent ingot crafts easier.
• Use a respawn anchor – Set your spawn in the Nether to avoid long treks. Check our guide: How to Use the Respawn Anchor in Minecraft 2026: A Complete Guide.
• Automate with allays – Allays can collect items for you, potentially helping gather ancient debris or gold. See How to Automate Item Sorting with Allays in Minecraft 2026.

What to Upgrade First

Priority	Item	Reason
1	Pickaxe	Faster mining, especially for netherite itself
2	Chestplate	Highest durability boost + knockback resistance
3	Sword	More damage and durability
4	Helmet	Turtle master potion efficiency? No, but fire resistance helps
5	Leggings	Last priority, but still useful
6	Boots	Soul speed and feather falling make a big difference

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Forgetting the template – Always double-check your inventory before going to the Nether.
• Upgrading the wrong item – Make sure you're upgrading diamond, not iron or gold.
• Not duplicating the template – Once you have one, duplicate it immediately. Bastions are dangerous, and you might die on the next trip.

Note: You can also upgrade tools like hoes and shovels, but they're usually lower priority unless you're a completionist.

How to Put This Into Practice on Gaia Legends

Gaia Legends is a free-to-join, non-pay-to-win SMP server that supports Java and Bedrock crossplay, making it the perfect place to practice your netherite upgrade skills.

On Gaia, we've built an interactive upgrade path visualizer that shows each step from mining ancient debris to equipping full netherite. You can track your progress, see which items you've upgraded, and even compete with other players on the leaderboard. Our community regularly hosts netherite-themed challenges where the first to upgrade a full set wins exclusive cosmetics.

Gaia Legends is free to join, non-pay-to-win, and supports Java + Bedrock crossplay. Join at gaialegends.pro and start your legend today.

On Gaia Legends: On our recently-launched server, this minecraft smithing table netherite upgrade has quickly become one of the most-used setups in our community showcase.

Conclusion

• The smithing table is the only way to upgrade diamond to netherite – you need a netherite upgrade template, a diamond item, and a netherite ingot.
• Always duplicate your first template with 7 diamonds to save future trips to bastions.
• Upgrade your pickaxe first for faster ancient debris mining, then focus on armor and weapons.

Now that you know the full process, it's time to put it into practice. Head to the Nether, find a bastion, and start your netherite collection. And if you want a community that celebrates every upgrade, come join us on Gaia Legends.

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