There are many ways of getting through and around in Minecraft. Knowing how to safely traverse and make your way through various cave systems is very important.
Luckily for us there are many techniques that can help keep you safe underground.
The most reliable of them all is very likely the ladder; allowing you to climb up and down walls without the risk of falling straight down. It is the next safest option after using water elevators to get around.
In this article we will show you how to make a ladder and how to use it.
Finding Ladders in Minecraft
There is a slight chance you can find ladders in Minecraft’s world, but it is not so common. Usually it is far easier and faster to simply craft them yourself.
Though, if you are exploring you can likely find them in various structures in the Overworld.
Most of these locations are known for having a few ladders spawning:
- Villages
- Strongholds
- Igloos
- Ancient Cities
- Woodland Mansion
The only other location outside of the Overworld where ladders can spawn are End Ships in the End City.
Minecraft Ladder Recipe
To make a ladder in Minecraft, you’ll need 7 sticks.
The ladder recipe is extremely simple and the materials you need to make one are very easy to come across.
You can get sticks by either processing any wooden planks to make them or simply find them as drops from fully cut down trees.
Arrange the sticks on a crafting like you see in the image below. This will grant you 3 ladders.
1 ladder is enough to cover one block.
How to Use Ladders in Minecraft
Ladders are solid blocks that can be placed on the sides of any other full solid block in Minecraft. They can only be placed vertically and cannot be placed on the bottom or the top of blocks.
When a player approaches a ladder and pushes against it they will instantly begin to climb it, moving upward. The same will apply to any mob that exists in the game. If they approach a ladder they will climb it.
So keep this in mind when trying to use a ladder as an escape route.
When climbing a ladder you can hold your sneak button (Shift by default) to hold onto the ladder without falling down.
Additionally, the ladder can also be jumped on.
When jumping from a height toward a ladder you will automatically “grab” onto it, making the ladder cushion your fall similar to vines. Luckily with ladders though, there is no chance of falling through them.
Alternative Uses for Ladders
When a ladder is placed on a block it counts as a block of its own, taking up the same amount of space as one.
Knowing this is important, because it allows you to use ladders for various things other than climbing.
One of the main things that ladders can be used is to keep water or lava from flowing through. Similarly to when you use a sign, a ladder will stop either from flowing and create a clear air block instead.
However, this only works on flowing water. If you put a ladder inside a source water block the ladder will become waterlogged – meaning it will be underwater, without an air pocket.
Another way you can use ladders is when placing paintings.
If you ever wanted to decorate your wall with them, then you would know how difficult it can be to get the painting to spawn the size you want it to be or within the area you aim for it.
Putting ladders to create a “frame” for the painting will limit it from spawning bigger than what you want it. It will also keep it confined to the designated area.
