Mending in Minecraft - Anvil Cost & Compatibility

How to get Mending

• Loot chests: Ancient cities, trial chambers, bastions, and end city ships drop Mending books reliably.
• Villager trading: Librarian villagers can offer Mending books for 5-19 emeralds depending on rarity.
• Fishing: With Luck of the Sea III you have a small chance per catch to pull a treasure book.

Anvil cost worked example

Applying a level-1 Mending book onto a brand-new item costs 4 XP levels (book multiplier 4 times level 1). Adding it on top of an item that has already been on the anvil once raises the cost by another 1 level for the prior-work penalty; twice and the penalty jumps to 3; three times, 7; and so on by 2^n - 1.

Pair Mending with cheap stuff first if you can - Unbreaking and Mending have low multipliers and don't conflict, so they're usually the cheapest path to a full endgame loadout.

FAQ

What does Mending do in Minecraft?

Uses absorbed XP to repair the item while carried.

What is the maximum level of Mending?

Mending caps at level 1.

Which items can have Mending?

Sword, Pickaxe, Axe, Shovel, Hoe, Bow, Crossbow, Trident, Mace, Fishing Rod, Shears, Flint and Steel, Brush, Shield, Carrot on a Stick, Warped Fungus on a Stick, Helmet, Chestplate, Leggings, Boots, Turtle Shell, Elytra.

What enchantments conflict with Mending?

Mending cannot share an item with Infinity.

How much XP does Mending cost on the anvil?

Each level of Mending adds bookMultiplier 4 times the new level to the anvil cost. At max level (1) that is 4 XP plus any prior-work penalty.

Can I get Mending from an enchanting table?

Mending is a treasure enchantment - it can't be rolled from the enchanting table. Find it on villager-traded books, in loot chests, or by fishing.