Trading

The trading system is a gameplay mechanic that allows players to trade emeralds for items (and vice-versa) with villagers.
Functionality
Pressing use on an adult villager will open a GUI allowing a player to trade with the villager. Villagers will make offers based on their profession and career, and will only make trades based on what offers they are making. Different offers may be viewed by pressing the left and right buttons next to the currently displayed offer. All offers involve emerald as a currency, and some item pertinent to the villager's career. Trading allows the acquisition of uncommon items. It is also the only legitimate method of acquiring bottles o' enchanting, woodland and ocean explorer map in Survival mode.


Different careers are assigned to each villager, and are viewable in the trading GUI. For example, brown-robed villagers can be fletchers or fishermen; blacksmiths can be armorers or weapon smiths; etc. Every villager spawns with tier 1 of their given career, which range from 2–4 initial unlocked trades (i.e. all shepherds will spawn with only two options, buying wool and selling shears). Each tier consists of a defined set of trade offers, and the tiers are the same for any given career (see the chart below). They can unlock new tiers when an existing offer is traded. Note that the trading GUI must be closed before a villager will unlock a new tier. When they do, they will receive Regeneration I and become surrounded with purple and green particles for a few seconds. Each career has a fixed sequence of tiers, and will only unlock a finite number of offers.
Villagers will deactivate an offer if the offer has been used some number of times. The chance of an offer's deactivation is random, but an offer must be used at least 2 times before it is eligible for deactivation. After an offer has been used 12 times, it is guaranteed to be deactivated. Trading a different offer may activate an offer again. When an offer is disabled, a red X will appear in the trading interface, and it has the same particle effect as an offer being created.
An offer is guaranteed to reactivate available deactivated options (and unlock a tier, if some have not yet been unlocked) the first time it is traded. On subsequent trades, it will only have a 20% chance of doing so, per trade. For example, if a farmer villager has a trade which is 8 pumpkins for 1 emerald, and a stack of 64 pumpkins is traded, this will count as 8 attempts with each attempt having a 20% chance to reactivate the villager's trades.
Villagers will distinguish between damage values, so different colors of wool cannot replace white wool, charcoal cannot be traded in place of coal, and damaged tools cannot be traded in place of fully repaired tools. NBT data, however, is ignored, so the content of a written book does not matter.
In Java Edition, all trades reward the player with 3–6 experience, or 8–11 experience if the villager is in a state where it is willing to breed. This is also true in Bedrock editions, except that certain trades don't reward any experience: the first-tier trades of a Farmer, the rotten flesh trade of a Cleric, the porkchop trade of a Butcher, or the string trade of a Fletcher.
The full list of careers and tiers is below:
Farmer (brown robe)

Farmer | Buys | Sells | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tier | Item | Quantity | ![]() |
Item | ![]() |
Quantity |
1 | ![]() |
18 - 22 | 1 | ![]() |
1 | 2 - 4 |
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15 - 19 | 1 | ||||
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15 - 19 | 1 | ||||
2 | ![]() |
8 - 13 | 1 | ![]() |
1 | 2 - 3 |
3 | ![]() |
7 - 12 | 1 | ![]() |
1 | 5 - 7 |
4 | ![]() |
1 | 6 - 10 | |||
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1 | 1 |
Fisherman | Buys | Sells | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tier | Item | Quantity | ![]() |
Item | ![]() |
Quantity |
1 | ![]() |
15 - 20 | 1 | ![]() |
6 ![]() 1 ![]() |
6 |
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16 - 24 | 1 | ||||
2 | Enchanted[note 1] ![]() |
7 - 8 | 1 |
Shepherd | Buys | Sells | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tier | Item | Quantity | ![]() |
Item | ![]() |
Quantity |
1 | ![]() |
16 - 22 | 1 | ![]() |
3 - 4 | 1 |
2 |
|
1 - 2 | 1 |
Fletcher | Buys | Sells | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tier | Item | Quantity | ![]() |
Item | ![]() |
Quantity |
1 | ![]() |
15 - 20 | 1 | ![]() |
1 | 8 - 12 |
2 | ![]() |
2 - 3 | 1 | |||
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10 ![]() 1 ![]() |
6 - 10 |
Librarian (white robe)

Librarian | Buys | Sells | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tier | Item | Quantity | ![]() |
Item | ![]() |
Quantity |
1 | ![]() |
24 - 36 | 1 | ![]() |
1 ![]() 5 - 64 ![]() |
1 |
2 | ![]() |
8 - 10 | 1 | ![]() |
10 - 12 | 1 |
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3 - 4 | 1 | ||||
3 | ![]() |
2 | 1 | ![]() |
10 - 12 | 1 |
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1 | 3 - 5 | ||||
4 | ![]() |
1 ![]() 5 - 64 ![]() |
1 | |||
5 | ![]() |
1 ![]() 5 - 64 ![]() |
1 | |||
6 | ![]() |
20 - 22 | 1 |
Cartographer | Buys | Sells | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tier | Item | Quantity | ![]() |
Item | ![]() |
Quantity |
1 | ![]() |
24 - 36 | 1 | |||
2 | ![]() |
1 | 1 | |||
3 | ![]() |
7 - 11 | 1 | |||
4 | ![]() |
1 ![]() 12 - 20 ![]() |
1 | |||
![]() |
1 ![]() 16 - 28 ![]() |
1 |
Priest (purple robe)

Cleric | Buys | Sells | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tier | Item | Quantity | ![]() |
Item | ![]() |
Quantity |
1 | ![]() |
36 - 40 | 1 | |||
![]() |
8 - 10 | 1 | ||||
2 | ![]() |
1 | 1 - 4 | |||
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1 | 1 - 2 | ||||
3 | ![]() |
4 - 7 | 1 | |||
![]() |
1 | 1 - 3 | ||||
4 | ![]() |
3 - 11 | 1 |
Smith (black robe)

Armorer | Buys | Sells | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tier | Item | Quantity | ![]() |
Item | ![]() |
Quantity |
1 | ![]() |
16 - 24 | 1 | ![]() |
4 - 6 | 1 |
2 | ![]() |
7 - 9 | 1 | ![]() |
10 - 14 | 1 |
3 | ![]() |
3 - 4 | 1 | Enchanted[note 1] ![]() |
16 - 19 | 1 |
4 | ![]() |
5 - 7 | 1 | |||
![]() |
9 - 11 | 1 | ||||
![]() |
5 - 7 | 1 | ||||
![]() |
11 - 15 | 1 |
Weapon Smith | Buys | Sells | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tier | Item | Quantity | ![]() |
Item | ![]() |
Quantity |
1 | ![]() |
16 - 24 | 1 | ![]() |
6 - 8 | 1 |
2 | ![]() |
7 - 9 | 1 | Enchanted[note 1] ![]() |
9 - 10 | 1 |
3 | ![]() |
3 - 4 | 1 | Enchanted[note 1] ![]() |
12 - 15 | 1 |
Enchanted[note 1] ![]() |
9 - 12 | 1 |
Tool Smith | Buys | Sells | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tier | Item | Quantity | ![]() |
Item | ![]() |
Quantity |
1 | ![]() |
16 - 24 | 1 | Enchanted[note 1] ![]() |
5 - 7 | 1 |
2 | ![]() |
7 - 9 | 1 | Enchanted[note 1] ![]() |
9 - 11 | 1 |
3 | ![]() |
3 - 4 | 1 | Enchanted[note 1] ![]() |
12 - 15 | 1 |
Butcher (white apron)

Butcher | Buys | Sells | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tier | Item | Quantity | ![]() |
Item | ![]() |
Quantity |
1 | ![]() |
14 - 18 | 1 | |||
![]() |
14 - 18 | 1 | ||||
2 | ![]() |
16 - 24 | 1 | ![]() |
1 | 5 - 7 |
![]() |
1 | 6 - 8 |
Leatherworker | Buys | Sells | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tier | Item | Quantity | ![]() |
Item | ![]() |
Quantity |
1 | ![]() |
9 - 12 | 1 | ![]() |
2 - 4 | 1 |
2 | Enchanted[note 1] ![]() |
7 - 12 | 1 | |||
3 | ![]() |
8 - 10 | 1 |
Nitwit (green robe)

Generic green robed "Nitwit" villagers offer no trades.
Wandering trader

Sells for | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
One emerald | Two emeralds | Three emeralds | Four emeralds | Five emeralds | Six emeralds | |
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- Notes
- ↑ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h i When creating an enchantment offer, the game uses a random enchantment level from 5 – 19. For a listing of what enchantments will show up at these levels, see Enchantment Mechanics.
- ↑ A given villager charges the same number of emeralds for each color.
- ↑ Jump up to: a b c Book will only have one enchantment. The enchantment is chosen randomly, with equal chance of any enchantment type occurring and equal chance to get any level of it, so higher-leveled enchantments are as likely to get as low-leveled enchantments. The price in emeralds depends on enchantment level and "treasure" status. The possible values are 5 – 19 emeralds for Lvl I, 8 – 32 for Lvl II, 11 – 45 for Lvl III, 14 – 58 for Lvl IV, and 17 – 71 for Lvl V. For "treasure" enchantments the price is doubled. Note that the cost is capped to 64, meaning that for example Lvl V books truly range from 17 - 64 emeralds with costs at the upper end of the range being more common.
- ↑ The two Written Books must be stacked (and therefore must be identical).
- ↑ Jump up to: a b Librarians offer the enchanted book trade three different times.
- ↑ Jump up to: a b This trade cannot be unlocked while in a Superflat or Buffet world that does not include the structure as part of its preset. It cannot be unlocked if the villager is in the Nether or the End either. The trade can be unlocked, however, while in a world with 'Generate Stuctures' set to 'OFF', and also in a Customized world with the specific structure toggled to 'No'.
Achievements
[hide] | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Icon | Achievement | In-game description | Actual requirements (if different) | Gamerscore earned | Trophy type (PS) | ||
PS4 | Other | ||||||
![]() | ![]() | The Haggler | Acquire or spend 30 Emeralds by trading with villagers or with wandering trader. [sic] | — | 30 | Silver | |
![]() | ![]() | Treasure Hunter | Acquire a map from a cartographer villager, then enter the revealed structure | Visit the structure indicated while the purchased map is in your main hand (hotbar). | 40 | Silver |
Advancements
Icon | Advancement | In-game description | Actual requirements (if different) |
---|---|---|---|
![]() ![]() | What a Deal! | Successfully trade with a Villager | Take an item from a villager or wandering trader's trading output slot. |
Video
History
[hide]beta | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
August 31, 2010 | The first time Notch hinted at plans for a possible future trading system was in an interview during MinecraftCon. The implementation of villages themselves and their inhabitants wasn't even confirmed at this point, but Notch still had a couple of ideas: If you treat the villagers well, they will become friendly and might start throwing things at you as gifts. If you treat them badly though by attacking and killing them they will hate you and might chase you. Notch also mentioned a meter of how much the villagers like you. {"type": "beta", "version": "August 31, 2010", "exp": "", "snap": "", "content": "The first time (link to Notch article, displayed as Notch) hinted at plans for a possible future trading system was in an interview during (link to MinecraftCon article, displayed as MinecraftCon). The implementation of villages themselves and their inhabitants wasn't even confirmed at this point, but Notch still had a couple of ideas: If you treat the villagers well, they will become friendly and might start throwing things at you as gifts. If you treat them badly though by attacking and killing them they will hate you and might chase you.<br>Notch also mentioned a meter of how much the villagers like you."} | ||||||
[hide]Java Edition | |||||||
May 21, 2012 | Jeb released a screenshot of himself testing the Trading System. The image showed buying and selling areas.
{"type": "java", "version": "May 21, 2012", "exp": "", "snap": "", "content": "Jeb released a screenshot of himself testing the Trading System. The image showed buying and selling areas."} | ||||||
An ore block can be seen in the background later revealed in snapshot 12w21a to be Ruby Ore, it was changed to emerald ore before 12w21a because Dinnerbone is colorblind.[1]
{"type": "java", "version": "May 21, 2012", "exp": "", "snap": "", "content": "An ore block can be seen in the background later revealed in snapshot 12w21a to be Ruby Ore, it was changed to (link to Emerald Ore article, displayed as emerald ore) before 12w21a because Dinnerbone is colorblind."} | |||||||
1.3.1 | Added villager trading.
{"type": "java", "version": "1.3.1", "exp": "", "snap": "", "content": "Added villager trading."} | ||||||
Lua error in Module:Version_link at line 117: attempt to concatenate local 'text' (a nil value). | Eyes of Ender are now sold by priests instead of bought, and rotten flesh is no longer bought.
{"type": "java", "version": "", "exp": "", "snap": "", "content": "Eyes of Ender are now sold by priests instead of bought, and rotten flesh is no longer bought."} | ||||||
The trading UI has been changed where an extra input space has been added where tools can be placed for buying enchantments and/or repair.
{"type": "java", "version": "", "exp": "", "snap": "", "content": "The trading UI has been changed where an extra input space has been added where tools can be placed for buying enchantments and/or repair."} | |||||||
Lua error in Module:Version_link at line 117: attempt to concatenate local 'text' (a nil value). | Prior to this snapshot, librarian defaulted to written books instead of gold ingots, since the written books had a potential offer of 1.3.
{"type": "java", "version": "", "exp": "", "snap": "", "content": "Prior to this snapshot, librarian defaulted to written books instead of gold ingots, since the written books had a potential offer of 1.3."} | ||||||
1.4.2 | The librarian's paper offer was adjusted to 24-35 paper per emerald, and the farmer's arrow offer was corrected to 9-12 per emerald.
{"type": "java", "version": "1.4.2", "exp": "", "snap": "", "content": "The librarian's paper offer was adjusted to 24-35 paper per emerald, and the farmer's arrow offer was corrected to 9-12 per emerald."} | ||||||
The offer probability mechanic was changed: as more offers exist for a villager, the probability of all offers rise. When an offer's probability goes beyond a certain limit, its probability goes down. The net effect is that rarer offers become more common when a villager has many offers, and common offers become rarer.
{"type": "java", "version": "1.4.2", "exp": "", "snap": "", "content": "The offer probability mechanic was changed: as more offers exist for a villager, the probability of all offers rise. When an offer's probability goes beyond a certain limit, its probability goes down. The net effect is that rarer offers become more common when a villager has many offers, and common offers become rarer."} | |||||||
The offer removal mechanic has been replaced with an offer disabling mechanic.
{"type": "java", "version": "1.4.2", "exp": "", "snap": "", "content": "The offer removal mechanic has been replaced with an offer disabling mechanic."} | |||||||
All offers begin with 7 uses, allowing the offer to be traded up to seven times.
{"type": "java", "version": "1.4.2", "exp": "", "snap": "", "content": "All offers begin with 7 uses, allowing the offer to be traded up to seven times."} | |||||||
After this, even if the player has not left the trading GUI, the offer is disabled.
{"type": "java", "version": "1.4.2", "exp": "", "snap": "", "content": "After this, even if the player has not left the trading GUI, the offer is disabled."} | |||||||
If a player trades the last offer on the list and closes the GUI, waiting for particles to appear around the villager, all disabled offers are renewed with 2-12 additional uses added to them.
{"type": "java", "version": "1.4.2", "exp": "", "snap": "", "content": "If a player trades the last offer on the list and closes the GUI, waiting for particles to appear around the villager, all disabled offers are renewed with 2-12 additional uses added to them."} | |||||||
It is possible for the final offer slot to be disabled, at which point no new offers can be generated and no existing offers can be renewed.
{"type": "java", "version": "1.4.2", "exp": "", "snap": "", "content": "It is possible for the final offer slot to be disabled, at which point no new offers can be generated and no existing offers can be renewed."} | |||||||
Trading with the last offer slot available will increase your popularity with the village by one point. Note that your popularity applies to the village as a whole, and other players' popularity is not affected.
{"type": "java", "version": "1.4.2", "exp": "", "snap": "", "content": "Trading with the last offer slot available will increase your popularity with the village by one point. Note that your popularity applies to the village as a whole, and other players' popularity is not affected."} | |||||||
1.4.6 | Enchanted books were added, and villagers could offer them.
{"type": "java", "version": "1.4.6", "exp": "", "snap": "", "content": "Enchanted books were added, and villagers could offer them."} | ||||||
1.5 | Villagers spawned from renamed spawn eggs will show their name in the trading interface in place of "Villager".
{"type": "java", "version": "1.5", "exp": "", "snap": "", "content": "Villagers spawned from renamed spawn eggs will show their name in the trading interface in place of \"Villager\"."} | ||||||
1.8 | Villager trading has been revamped. See here for offers before 1.8.
{"type": "java", "version": "1.8", "exp": "", "snap": "", "content": "Villager trading has been revamped. See (link to /Before 1.8 article, displayed as here) for offers before 1.8."} | ||||||
Lua error in Module:Version_link at line 117: attempt to concatenate local 'text' (a nil value). | Villager Clerics no longer buy Ender Pearls, as they did in 14w02a.
{"type": "java", "version": "", "exp": "", "snap": "", "content": "Villager Clerics no longer buy Ender Pearls, as they did in 14w02a."} | ||||||
Lua error in Module:Version_link at line 117: attempt to concatenate local 'text' (a nil value). | Clerics now sell Bottle o' Enchantings, prices range from 3 to 11 emeralds each.
{"type": "java", "version": "", "exp": "", "snap": "", "content": "Clerics now sell (link to Bottle o' Enchanting article, displayed as Bottle o' Enchantings), prices range from 3 to 11 emeralds each."} | ||||||
1.9 | Clerics no longer sell Eyes of Ender.
{"type": "java", "version": "1.9", "exp": "", "snap": "", "content": "Clerics no longer sell Eyes of Ender."} | ||||||
Clerics now sell Ender Pearls, prices range from 4 to 7 emeralds each.
{"type": "java", "version": "1.9", "exp": "", "snap": "", "content": "Clerics now sell Ender Pearls, prices range from 4 to 7 emeralds each."} | |||||||
Lua error in Module:Version_link at line 117: attempt to concatenate local 'text' (a nil value). | Librarians charge double for books with "treasure" enchantments.
{"type": "java", "version": "", "exp": "", "snap": "", "content": "Librarians charge double for books with \"treasure\" enchantments."} | ||||||
1.11 | Farmers now sell 5 to 7 apples and 6 to 10 cookies for an emerald instead of just 5 and 6 respectively.
{"type": "java", "version": "1.11", "exp": "", "snap": "", "content": "Farmers now sell 5 to 7 (link to apple article, displayed as apples) and 6 to 10 (link to cookie article, displayed as cookies) for an (link to emerald article, displayed as emerald) instead of just 5 and 6 respectively."} | ||||||
Lua error in Module:Version_link at line 117: attempt to concatenate local 'text' (a nil value). | Added new trades through the Cartographer career.
{"type": "java", "version": "", "exp": "", "snap": "", "content": "Added new trades through the Cartographer career."} | ||||||
[hide]Pocket Edition | |||||||
1.0.4 | Added villager trading.
{"type": "pocket", "version": "1.0.4", "exp": "", "snap": "", "content": "Added villager trading."} | ||||||
1.1 | Added new trades through the Cartographer career.
{"type": "pocket", "version": "1.1", "exp": "", "snap": "", "content": "Added new trades through the Cartographer career."} | ||||||
[hide]Bedrock Edition | |||||||
1.2 | Written book can now be sold to librarian.
{"type": "bedrock", "version": "1.2", "exp": "", "snap": "", "content": "Written book can now be sold to librarian."} | ||||||
Added Curse Enchantment which at this time can only be obtained via trading with librarian.
{"type": "bedrock", "version": "1.2", "exp": "", "snap": "", "content": "Added Curse Enchantment which at this time can only be obtained via trading with librarian."} | |||||||
? | Removed curse enchantment in enchanted book from librarian trading.
{"type": "bedrock", "version": "?", "exp": "", "snap": "", "content": "Removed curse enchantment in enchanted book from librarian trading."} | ||||||
[hide]Upcoming Bedrock Edition | |||||||
1.10 | Added new trades through the stone mason villager profession and wandering trader.
{"type": "bedrock upcoming", "version": "1.10", "exp": "", "snap": "", "content": "Added new trades through the stone mason villager profession and (link to wandering trader article, displayed as wandering trader)."} | ||||||
[hide]Legacy Console Edition | |||||||
Xbox 360 | Xbox One | PS3 | PS4 | PS Vita | Wii U | Switch | |
TU14 | CU1 | Patch 1 | Added villager trading.
{"type": "console", "xbox": "TU14", "xbone": "CU1", "ps3": "", "ps4": "", "psvita": "", "wiiu": "Patch 1", "switch": "", "content": "Added villager trading."} | ||||
TU20 | CU8 | Librarian villagers now may offer name tags for sale.
{"type": "console", "xbox": "TU20", "xbone": "CU8", "ps3": "", "ps4": "", "psvita": "", "wiiu": "", "switch": "", "content": "Librarian villagers now may offer (link to name tag article, displayed as name tags) for sale."} | |||||
TU31 | CU19 | Patch 3 | Changed villager trades to offers as of Java Edition 1.8.
{"type": "console", "xbox": "TU31", "xbone": "CU19", "ps3": "", "ps4": "", "psvita": "", "wiiu": "Patch 3", "switch": "", "content": "Changed villager trades to offers as of Java Edition (link to 1.8 article, displayed as 1.8)."} |
Issues
Issues relating to "Trading", "Trades", or "Trade" are maintained on the bug tracker. Issues should be reported and viewed there.
Trivia
- Right-clicking on a villager pauses that villager's pathfinding.
- If a Villager takes damage while trading, the trading GUI will close.
- In Bedrock Edition, while inside the trading GUI, an emerald will appear above the villager's head.
Gallery
-
The first image of the trading system released by Jeb. The currency item (later updated to the emerald) can be seen in the inventory.
-
An enhanced version of Jeb's screenshot showing the original ore texture more clearly.
-
Another image released earlier by Jeb shows separated villagers.[2]
-
An edited image of the trading GUI with all items removed.
-
A villager with its only offer locked.
-
The trading GUI in Bedrock Edition.
References
[hide] | |
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General mechanics | |
Survival |
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Combat | |
Environment | |
Movement | |
User interface | |
Visuals | |
Outdated | ![]() |