Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
11
Premium Benefits
24/7
Access Available
21K+
Active Members
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Background
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
  • home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • View Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
Trending
  • Crimson Desert
  • Arc Raiders
  • The Boys S5
  • Best turn-based RPGs
  • Submit your clips. Win prizes
Don't miss these
Hytale
RPGs Hytale devs hire Minecraft modders behind incredible Create mod
Karin Quarry in Crimson Desert
RPGs Crimson Desert Stolen Quarry and Excavatron guide
Deforesters in Arc Raiders
Third Person Shooters How to find Deforesters in Arc Raiders for A Prime Specimen
Arc Raiders Sentinels
Third Person Shooters Sentinel Core locations in Arc Raiders
How to farm money in Crimson Desert
RPGs Best way to make money in Crimson Desert
A Mushroom Fields spawn island on one of the best Minecraft seeds.
Minecraft The best Minecraft seeds for 26.1
Abyss Gears in Crimson Desert
RPGs Crimson Desert Abyss Gears and Witches' locations
Elden Ring alexander the pot questline start
Fantasy Movies A24's Elden Ring movie has entered production, and fans have already determined the perfect popcorn bucket
Minecraft key art showing Steve holding a pickaxe.
Adventure Games The 25 best crafting games to play in 2026
The Sulphur Cube mob from the next Minecraft update
Minecraft Minecraft 26.2 release date estimate
Key art for Atomfall showing a character in the English countryside looking at a nuclear plant some distance away
Survival Games The 10 best survival games to play in 2026
Arc Raiders Looting Mk 1 Augment in workbench crafting menu
Third Person Shooters Full Arc Raiders Augments list and what they do
arc raiders comet ignitor
Third Person Shooters Where to find Comet Igniters in Arc Raiders
Helldivers 2 Illuminate Veracitor chasing Helldiver with harvester nearby
Third Person Shooters How to kill the new Veracitor and Gatekeeper Illuminate enemies in Helldivers 2
Arc Raiders Vaporizers
Third Person Shooters How to beat Vaporizers in Arc Raiders
  1. Games
  2. Adventure
  3. Minecraft

How to make an Iron Golem in Minecraft and what they're for

Guides
By Ford James Contributions from Marloes Valentina Stella last updated 14 November 2024

Create a Minecraft Iron Golem to protect a village

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Minecraft Iron Golem
(Image credit: Mojang)
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Want to add more newsletters?

GamesRadar+

Every Friday

GamesRadar+

Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.

GTA 6 O'clock

Every Thursday

GTA 6 O'clock

Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.

Knowledge

Every Friday

Knowledge

From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.

The Setup

Every Thursday

The Setup

Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.

Switch 2 Spotlight

Every Wednesday

Switch 2 Spotlight

Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.

The Watchlist

Every Saturday

The Watchlist

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.

SFX

Once a month

SFX

Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
Subscribe to our newsletter

A Minecraft Iron Golem is the best guardian a village can wish for. These sturdy creatures will attack hostile mobs who've come to raid the town, including illagers, skeletons, and zombies, making them invaluable to the local farmers and traders. Don't forget that Iron Golems protect the villagers against anyone - including you, should you attack them.

While some Iron Golems spawn naturally inside a Minecraft village, they can also be crafted. Here's how to craft Iron Golems in Minecraft and how they work.

How to make an Iron Golem in Minecraft

How to make an Iron Golem in Minecraft

In order to make a Minecraft Iron Golem, you don't need to use a Crafting Table like you would to make most things in the game. Instead, you need to place blocks in a specific formation.

The ingredients you need to make one Iron Golem are four Iron Blocks (each one consisting of nine Iron Ingots in a Crafting Table), and one Pumpkin - in Java Edition, it must be a Carved Pumpkin or a Jack O'Lantern, but in Bedrock Edition, it can also be a regular pumpkin. Place the Iron Blocks in a T-shape and then put the Pumpkin at the top and in the middle, so it looks like a weird iron scarecrow. Use the above picture for reference!

As long as there are no connecting blocks on either side (other than the floor it's stood on, of course), placing the Pumpkin last should cause an Iron Golem to spawn. As long as you have the Minecraft materials, you can do this as many times as you like to create your own personal army.

Article continues below
You may like
  • An image of a house in the middle of a Minecraft village Minecraft village loot, trades, and how to find them
  • A Wandering Villager and a Llama and followed by a crowd of other Minecraft mobs All Minecraft mobs, from passive pigs to hostile piglin brutes
  • A Mushroom Fields spawn island on one of the best Minecraft seeds. The best Minecraft seeds for 26.1

If you don't want to go through this trouble but still want to live near a village protected by an Iron Golem, you can use one of the best Minecraft seeds to start a new world in such a place.

What Iron Golems in Minecraft do

Minecraft Iron Golem

(Image credit: Mojang)
Minecraft Netherite armor

Minecraft Netherite armor

(Image credit: Mojang)

You can better protect yourself with Minecraft Netherite armor

Iron Golems are solemnly sworn to protect players and villagers, provided you don't attack them. They're classed as neutral mobs so, unlike cows, pigs, and Minecraft frogs, Iron Golems will leave you be but will attack you if you attack them. If, for some reason, you want to fight an Iron Golem, it's best to have a Recovery Compass ready near your respawn point - don't underestimate their strength!

When an Iron Golem is created inside a village, it will slowly wander around, patrolling the area. If it's not in a village, it will gradually make its way towards the closest one, likely fighting any hostile mobs along the way. If an Iron Golem takes damage, the player can heal it by using an Iron Ingot on it.

If you've got enough Iron and have a base or village you want to protect, Iron Golems are the way forward. Unfortunately, you can't name them like you can normal pets though! You might want to know how to tame a fox in Minecraft if you'd like a pet.

Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

After upgrading the village's defenses with an Iron Golem, upgrade its looks too with the best Minecraft texture packs.

© GamesRadar+. Not to be reproduced without permission

CATEGORIES
PS5 PS4 Xbox Series X Xbox One iPhone Android Nintendo Switch PC Gaming PlayStation Xbox Nintendo Wii-u Platforms PlayStation Xbox Mobile Gaming Nintendo
Ford James
Ford James
Social Links Navigation
Freelance Writer

Give me a game and I will write every "how to" I possibly can or die trying. When I'm not knee-deep in a game to write guides on, you'll find me hurtling round the track in F1, flinging balls on my phone in Pokemon Go, pretending to know what I'm doing in Football Manager, or clicking on heads in Valorant.

With contributions from
  • Marloes Valentina StellaFreelance Writer
Read more
An image of a house in the middle of a Minecraft village
Minecraft Minecraft village loot, trades, and how to find them
 
 
A Wandering Villager and a Llama and followed by a crowd of other Minecraft mobs
Minecraft All Minecraft mobs, from passive pigs to hostile piglin brutes
 
 
A Mushroom Fields spawn island on one of the best Minecraft seeds.
Minecraft The best Minecraft seeds for 26.1
 
 
hytale iron
Action RPGs Where to get Iron in Hytale
 
 
A Wandering Villager and a Llama and followed by a crowd of other Minecraft mobs
Survival Games Minecraft introduces Herdcraft, Mojang's latest annual joke update, and suddenly I'm a pseudo-summoner
 
 
Pixelated cow looks toward camera in Minecraft
Minecraft Mojang hired a "cow whisperer" to record new Minecraft animal noises: "The cows started to speak to him immediately"
 
 
Latest in Minecraft
Pixelated cow looks toward camera in Minecraft
Minecraft Mojang hired a "cow whisperer" to record new Minecraft animal noises: "The cows started to speak to him immediately"
 
 
Minecraft frogs temperate
Minecraft Minecraft devs say anything is possible as they start to dip into old ideas for new updates
 
 
An image of a house in the middle of a Minecraft village
Minecraft Minecraft village loot, trades, and how to find them
 
 
Screenshot from Minecraft Dungeons 2's reveal trailer, showing a bunch of villagers standing around a blocky village.
Minecraft Minecraft Dungeons 2 takes another stab at Mojang's surprisingly great Diablo-inspired RPG spin-off later this year
 
 
A Wandering Villager and a Llama and followed by a crowd of other Minecraft mobs
Minecraft All Minecraft mobs, from passive pigs to hostile piglin brutes
 
 
The Sulphur Cube mob from the next Minecraft update
Minecraft Minecraft 26.2 release date estimate
 
 
Latest in Guides
Helldivers 2 Exo Experts Warbond helldivers standing between lumberer and breakthrough mechs while firing Gallant SMG
Third Person Shooters Helldivers 2 Exo Experts Warbond release date and all items
 
 
Arc Raiders Riven tides
Third Person Shooters Everything we know about the Arc Raiders Riven Tides update
 
 
Mark Grayson (Steven Yeun) and Omni-Man/Nolan (J.K. Simmons) posing on the poster for Invincible season 4
Superhero Shows Invincible season 4 episode 8 ending explained: who dies, where are the Viltrumites and will there be a season 5?
 
 
Fifteen Men on a Dead Man's Chest in Windrose
Survival Games How to complete Fifteen men on a Dead Man’s chest mission in Windrose
 
 
Pragmata Lunatic difficulty option on main menu featuring Hugh and Diana
Action Games How to unlock Lunatic difficulty in Pragmata
 
 
Pragmata New Game+ Hugh walking into shelter as it boots up
Action Games How New Game+ in Pragmata works
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. The Deep, Homelander, and Black Noir in The Boys season 5
    1
    The Boys season 5 just debunked a major Black Noir theory, and I'm relieved
  2. 2
    Invincible season 4 episode 8 ending explained: who dies, where are the Viltrumites, and what's next?
  3. 3
    Invincible season 5 release date speculation, trailer, cast, story, and everything else we know
  4. 4
    Invincible season 4 finale post-credits scenes: how many are there and how do they set up season 5?
  5. 5
    Can't wait for more Invincible? Here's where to pick up in the comics after season 4

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...