An End Portal requires a specific frame made from End Portal Frames, which you place in a 3×3 square pattern and fill with Eyes of Ender

To build a working End Portal, you need 12 End Portal Frame blocks arranged in a 3×3 square with the center left empty, then activate it by placing an Eye of Ender in each frame block. The portal opens only when all 12 frames hold an eye. You cannot craft End Portal Frames yourself — you must find them in Strongholds, which are underground structures that generate in every Minecraft world.

The fastest way to locate a Stronghold is to throw Eyes of Ender and follow where they fly. Each eye moves toward the nearest Stronghold, then disappears. You craft Eyes of Ender from Ender Pearls (dropped by Endermen) and Blaze Powder (from Blazes in the Nether). Once you reach the Stronghold, you'll find End Portal Frames already placed in the frame room — you only need to fill them with eyes.

Key Takeaways

  • End Portal Frames are found only in Strongholds; you cannot build them from raw materials.
  • A complete portal needs 12 frames in a 3×3 square with the center empty, and one Eye of Ender in each frame.
  • Eyes of Ender are crafted from Ender Pearls and Blaze Powder, and they point you toward Strongholds when thrown.
  • Most Strongholds have a frame room with some frames already in place, so you may only need to add missing frames and eyes.

Finding a Stronghold using Eyes of Ender

Craft or gather at least 8 to 12 Eyes of Ender before you start. Each eye you throw moves toward the nearest Stronghold, but some eyes break when they land, so you need extras. To make an Eye of Ender, place one Ender Pearl and one Blaze Powder in a crafting grid (the pearl and powder can go in any two slots).

Hold an Eye of Ender in your hand and right-click (or use your secondary action button) to throw it. The eye will fly upward and move horizontally toward the Stronghold. Follow it on foot or by flying. When the eye reaches the Stronghold, it descends into the ground. Throw another eye and follow again. After several throws, you'll be directly above the Stronghold entrance.

Dig down carefully — Strongholds contain lava, dark corridors, and mobs. Bring a pickaxe, sword, and blocks to build with. Once inside, look for the frame room: a large chamber with a 3×3 grid of End Portal Frames already set into the floor or wall. Some frames may already have Eyes of Ender in them.

Placing frames and eyes in the correct pattern

The End Portal Frame must form a 3×3 square with the center block empty. If the Stronghold's frame room has frames missing, you'll need to place new ones. End Portal Frames are directional — they have a small notch or indent that should face inward toward the center of the portal. Place each frame so the notch points toward the empty center space.

Once all 12 frames are in place, right-click on each frame block with an Eye of Ender in your hand. The eye will sink into the frame. Repeat until all 12 frames hold an eye. When the last eye is placed, the portal activates: a purple swirling gateway opens in the center, and you can jump through to reach the End dimension.

What to do if frames are already filled

Some Strongholds have frame rooms where several frames already contain Eyes of Ender. You only need to fill the empty ones. Approach each empty frame and place an eye. If a frame already has an eye and you right-click it again, nothing happens — you cannot remove or replace eyes once placed.

If all 12 frames are already filled when you arrive, the portal is already active and you can enter immediately. This is rare but possible if another player has been to the Stronghold before you.

Getting Ender Pearls and Blaze Powder

Ender Pearls drop from Endermen when you kill them. Endermen spawn in the Overworld at night or in dark areas, and they also spawn in the End dimension. You need one pearl per Eye of Ender, so gather at least 8 to 12 pearls before heading to the Stronghold.

Blaze Powder comes from Blazes, which spawn only in Nether Fortresses. Kill Blazes and collect the Blaze Rods they drop, then smelt or craft each rod into Blaze Powder (one rod makes one powder). You need one powder per Eye of Ender, so gather 8 to 12 powders as well.

Preparing for the End dimension

Before you jump through the portal, bring armor, a sword, a bow with arrows, blocks, and food. The End is a hostile dimension filled with Endermen and the Ender Dragon. Endermen are neutral unless you look directly at them, but they become aggressive if you do. The Ender Dragon is the final boss and deals heavy damage.

Bring blocks so you can build platforms or bridges if you fall. The End has floating islands separated by a void — falling into the void kills you instantly. A bed is also useful: when you sleep in the End, it explodes and damages nearby mobs, which is an effective way to damage the Ender Dragon.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I build an End Portal in the Overworld without finding a Stronghold?

No. End Portal Frames exist only in Strongholds and cannot be crafted. You must locate a Stronghold, find its frame room, and use the frames already there. You can place frames in any pattern you want in Creative mode, but in Survival mode you are limited to what the Stronghold provides.

What happens if I throw an Eye of Ender and it breaks?

Eyes of Ender break randomly when they land, especially if they hit water or certain blocks. This is why you should craft 8 to 12 eyes before starting — you will lose some along the way. Each broken eye is gone; you cannot recover it.

Do I need to find a Stronghold in every world, or is there only one?

Every Minecraft world has multiple Strongholds, but they are rare and far apart. Most players find one Stronghold per world and use it to reach the End. Finding a second Stronghold is possible but usually not necessary.

Can I use the same portal to go back and forth between the Overworld and the End?

Yes. The portal works both ways. When you enter the End through the Stronghold portal, you can return by defeating the Ender Dragon (which destroys the dragon and opens an exit portal) or by finding the exit portal that generates in the End. The Stronghold portal remains active and usable.