Elytra in Minecraft are wearable wings that let you glide in Survival mode, equipped in the chestplate armor slot. These beetle-wing-inspired items are the only way to achieve true aerial movement without using Creative mode, making them a top priority for any player who wants to explore the world from above.
What Are Elytra in Minecraft?
Elytra are an item that lets players fly, more accurately gliding while descending, even in Survival mode. They go in the chestplate armor slot and resemble a closed cape when not in use, spreading outward like beetle wings when you take flight. Unlike Creative mode’s powered flight, Elytra require a starting height and gravity to work, giving you controlled descent rather than true hovering.
How to Get Elytra in Minecraft
Survival mode
To find Elytra in Survival, you must first reach the End dimension by activating an End Portal. After defeating the Ender Dragon, a gateway opens to the outer islands of the End, where End cities generate. The spawn rate of an End ship is 12.5% per End City bridge, and only one ship can be seen docked per city. Look for an End ship docked at a city pier, it appears as a purple-hulled vessel with a distinctive bowsprit. Inside the ship’s treasure room, guarded by a shulker, you will find the Elytra displayed on an item frame. Take it, then prepare to face the shulker’s levitation attack or avoid it entirely. In Survival mode, you can optionally skip slaying the Ender Dragon and build a makeshift pathway of blocks to explore the End, though this is a hit-and-miss tactic like crossing a tightrope.
Creative mode
In Creative mode, Elytra are available directly from the inventory. Open your inventory, navigate to the armor tab, and drag the Elytra into the chestplate slot. No exploration is needed.
How to Equip Elytra
- Open your inventory.
- Locate the Elytra in your item storage.
- Drag the Elytra to the chestplate armor slot, the empty box with a vest-shaped icon.
- Confirm the Elytra appears on your character model as folded wings behind the back.
How to Use Elytra to Glide
- Equip the Elytra in the chestplate slot.
- Climb to a high point, a cliff, mountain, or tall structure.
- Jump or fall from the edge.
- While midair, press the jump button to spread the wings and begin gliding.
Once gliding, control your descent by turning left or right as you would while walking. Face upward to slow down and reduce your rate of descent; face downward to speed up and descend faster. The wings do not flap, they remain extended until you land or stop gliding. To enjoy gliding more, change your in-game point of view to 'third person back' from the settings menu's video tab.
How to Boost Elytra Flight with Fireworks
While gliding, you can use firework rockets to gain height and extend your flight. Equip fireworks in your off-hand or hotbar, then activate them mid-glide. Each rocket provides a burst of speed and upward momentum, allowing you to climb rather than simply descend. For crafting fireworks, refer to a fireworks crafting guide.
Elytra Durability and How to Repair Them
Elytra have 432 durability points, which decrease during flight. Each second of gliding consumes durability, and the wings become unusable when durability reaches 1 point. You can also combine two damaged Elytra in an anvil to merge their remaining durability. Elytra can be repaired using a Minecraft grindstone by fusing two Elytra together. For mobile app guides, many players rely on dedicated game guide sites that include step-by-step repair instructions.
Best Elytra Enchantments
Elytra can be enchanted with Unbreaking III and Mending. Unbreaking III quadruples airborne time by giving each durability point a chance to not be consumed. Unbreaking III extends flight time to nearly 29 minutes. Mending repairs the Elytra using experience orbs collected while gliding or performing other activities. Curse of Vanishing is a situational option that makes the Elytra disappear on death, preventing other players from looting them in multiplayer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Elytra be crafted?
No. Elytra cannot be crafted in Survival mode. They are only found in End ship treasure rooms in the outer islands of the End.
How high can you fly with Elytra in Survival mode?
Your flight height depends entirely on your starting elevation and how many firework rockets you use. There is no fixed maximum height; you can climb as high as your rockets allow.
How long can you fly using Elytra in Minecraft?
Without rockets, flight time depends on your starting height and how you angle yourself. You can stay in the air with Elytra equipped for seven minutes at most (without enchantments or rockets). With Unbreaking III and careful gliding, you can stay airborne for several minutes. Fireworks extend this indefinitely as long as you have rockets.
Do Elytra get damaged?
Yes. Elytra lose durability each second you glide. At 1 durability, they stop working and must be repaired with phantom membranes or combined with another Elytra in an anvil.
Can Minecraft Elytra be enchanted?
Yes. Elytra accept Unbreaking III and Mending enchantments. Curse of Vanishing can also be applied but serves only to prevent theft on death.
