How to make a Nether portal in Minecraft using obsidian and flint

Ready to enter the Nether? Whether you’re exploring for blaze rods or ancient debris, this guide shows you how to make a Nether portal in Minecraft — with easy instructions for every version of the game.

Category:Gaming

How to Make a Nether Portal in Minecraft (2025 Guide)

The Nether is one of Minecraft’s most dangerous — and most rewarding — dimensions. But before you can loot Bastions or fight Blazes, you need access. That’s where the Nether Portal comes in.

This guide will walk you through how to make a Nether portal in Minecraft, step by step, for both Java and Bedrock editions. You’ll learn how many blocks you need, how to activate the portal, and how to prepare for what’s on the other side.

Let’s dive in (literally).

What Is a Nether Portal in Minecraft?

A Nether portal is a custom-built structure that allows you to teleport from the Overworld to the Nether dimension — a fiery underworld full of unique mobs, loot, and structures.

To build one, you’ll need two things:

Obsidian (very strong block that can’t be mined with less than a diamond pickaxe)
Flint and Steel (to light the portal)

What You Need to Make a Nether Portal

Required Materials:

10 Obsidian blocks (minimum) or 14 for full frame
1 Flint and Steel (iron + flint)

Optional:

Extra Obsidian (for a larger portal)
Decorative blocks to frame or hide your portal

Step 1: Get Obsidian

How to Mine Obsidian:

Find lava (underground or in caves)
Use a water bucket to pour over lava
Use a diamond or netherite pickaxe to mine it

Each block takes about 9.4 seconds to mine with a diamond pickaxe (no enchantments).

You need at least 10 obsidian blocks to build a working portal — more if you want a fancier design.

Step 2: Build the Portal Frame

Minimum Portal Size:

Height: 4 blocks (including corners)
Width: 5 blocks (including corners)

But you only need to build the frame like this:

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[ # ]

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Use 10 obsidian blocks for just the sides and top/bottom (skip corners).

Full Frame Option:

Use 14 obsidian blocks to make a complete rectangular frame with corners.

Step 3: Light the Portal

Use flint and steel to ignite the inside of the frame. This turns the center purple and activates the portal.

How to Craft Flint and Steel:

1 Iron Ingot + 1 Flint
Place in crafting table (any arrangement)

Now step into the portal and wait 3–4 seconds… you’re going to the Nether!

What Happens When You Enter the Nether

The Nether is a completely different biome:

Expect to Find:

Zombie Piglins (neutral mobs)
Blazes (used for brewing potions)
Ghasts (flying mobs that shoot fireballs)
Nether Fortresses and Bastions
Ancient Debris (used for Netherite upgrades)

Bring armor, food, weapons, and building blocks to stay safe.

Portal Travel Rules

Each block moved in the Nether = 8 blocks in the Overworld
You can create linked portals between dimensions
Portals auto-link based on proximity
Portals can be used in both directions

This makes Nether travel a smart way to fast-travel across large Overworld distances.

How to Decorate or Hide Your Nether Portal

Want your portal to look awesome? Try these:

Decoration Ideas:

Build inside a mountain or cave
Surround it with blackstone, nether bricks, or crimson wood
Make a portal room in your base
Hide it underground with redstone entry

What to Bring on Your First Nether Trip

The Nether is dangerous — prepare before entering:

Essentials:

Full iron or diamond armor
Golden helmet (prevents Piglin aggression)
Lots of cooked food
Blocks for bridging
Bow and arrows (for Ghasts)
Fire Resistance potion (if available)

Optional: Respawn Anchor and Warped Fungus (to ward off Hoglins)

How to Make a Nether Portal Without Diamonds

Don’t have a diamond pickaxe? Try this trick:

Build a mold out of dirt or stone
Use lava buckets + water bucket to create obsidian in place
Shape the portal block-by-block

Still requires 10 lava buckets — but works in Survival if done right.

Troubleshooting: Why Won’t My Nether Portal Work?

If your portal won’t light:

Make sure the obsidian frame is at least 4×5 (inside)
Don’t use blocks other than obsidian
Confirm the Flint and Steel is working
Ensure you’re in Overworld, not already in the Nether

Final Thoughts

Now you know exactly how to make a Nether portal in Minecraft, from mining your first obsidian to lighting up your custom frame. The Nether opens up a whole new layer of gameplay — full of danger, treasure, and some of Minecraft’s rarest items.

Build smart, gear up, and good luck in the fire-drenched depths of Minecraft’s most infamous dimension.

✅ Explore More from Dozario:

What materials do I need to make a Nether Portal?

You need at least 10 blocks of Obsidian and one Flint and Steel tool to ignite the portal. Obsidian is created when water touches lava, and Flint and Steel can be crafted from one iron ingot and one flint piece.

How do I get Obsidian?

Obsidian forms when water meets lava source blocks. You must mine Obsidian using a diamond or netherite pickaxe. Alternatively, you can create Obsidian blocks in place by pouring water on lava pools.

How do I build the frame of the Nether Portal?

The frame is a vertical rectangle, at minimum 4 blocks tall and 5 blocks wide (including corners). It consists of two vertical columns of 4 Obsidian blocks each and 2 blocks joining top and bottom.

Can the corners of the portal frame be left out?

Yes, the four corner blocks are optional and not required for the portal to function.

How do I activate the Nether Portal?

Use Flint and Steel to ignite one of the inner bottom Obsidian blocks of the frame. The portal will activate with a purple swirling effect.

Is there a way to create a Nether Portal without mining Obsidian?

Yes. You can use buckets to collect lava and water, place the lava in a mold, and then pour water over it to create Obsidian blocks where needed for the frame.

How do I use the Nether Portal to travel?

Stand inside the activated portal for a few seconds. Your screen will swirl, and you will be teleported to the Nether dimension.

Why is the Nether Portal important?

The Nether offers unique resources like blaze rods, nether quartz, and glowstone, essential for advancing gameplay through potion brewing and reaching the end dimension. The Nether also allows faster travel (eight times faster than the Overworld).

What should I carry when using the Nether?

Carry Flint and Steel to relight the portal if it deactivates, protective armor to guard against hostile mobs, and building blocks for defense and navigation.

How to Make a Nether Portal in Minecraft (2025 Guide)

What Is a Nether Portal in Minecraft?