This Minecraft tutorial explains how to craft a clay ball (formerly called clay) with screenshots and step-by-step instructions.
In Minecraft, a clay ball is an item that you can not make with a crafting table or furnace. Instead, you need to find and gather this item in the game.
Let’s explore how to add a clay ball to your inventory.
Where to find a Clay Ball in Creative Mode
Minecraft Java Edition (PC/Mac)
Here is where you can find a clay ball in the Creative Inventory menu:
Platform
Version(s)
Creative Menu Location
Java Edition (PC/Mac)
1.8 – 1.11
Materials
Java Edition (PC/Mac)
1.12 – 1.19
Miscellaneous
Java Edition (PC/Mac)
1.19.3
Ingredients
Platform is the platform that applies.
Version(s) is the Minecraft version numbers where the item can be found in the menu location listed (we have tested and confirmed this version number).
Creative Menu Location is the location of the item in the Creative Inventory menu.
How to get a Clay Ball in Survival Mode
You can add a clay ball to your inventory in Survival mode by finding a block of clay to dig up. So, let’s get started!
1. Find a Block of Clay
First, you need to find a block of clay to dig up. You can usually find clay under the water.
2. Hold a Shovel
You can only get clay by digging up a block of clay with a shovel. Select one of these shovels in your hotbar:
How to make a Diamond Shovel How to make a Golden Shovel How to make a Iron Shovel How to make a Stone Shovel How to make a Wooden Shovel How to make a Netherite Shovel
In this example, we are going to use a wooden shovel to dig up the clay.
3. Dig up the Block of Clay
The game control to mine the clay depends on the version of Minecraft:
For Java Edition (PC/Mac), left click and hold on the block of clay.
For Pocket Edition (PE), you tap and hold on the block of clay.
For Xbox 360 and Xbox One, press and hold the RT button on the Xbox controller.
For PS3 and PS4, press and hold the R2 button on the PS controller.
For Wii U, press and hold the ZR button on the gamepad.
For Nintendo Switch, press and hold the ZR button on the controller.
For Windows 10 Edition, left click and hold on the block of clay.
For Education Edition, left click and hold on the block of clay.
You will need to continue to dig until the block breaks and clay balls finally appear.
4. Pick up the Clay
Make sure you pick up the clay balls before they disappear.
Once you pick up the clay balls, they will appear in your hotbar.
A clay ball is a useful item and should be kept in your inventory to be used later.
Item ID and Name
Minecraft Java Edition (PC/Mac)
In Minecraft, clay has the following Name, ID and DataValue:
Item
Description
(Minecraft ID Name)
Minecraft ID
Data Value
Stack Size
Platform
Version(s)
Clay Ball
(minecraft:clay_ball)
337
0
64
Java
1.8 – 1.12
Clay Ball
(minecraft:clay_ball)
337
64
Java
1.13 – 1.19.3
Description is what the item is called and (Minecraft ID Name) is the string value that is used in game commands.
Minecraft ID is the Internal number for the item.
Data Value (or damage value) identifies the variation of the block if more than one type exists for the Minecraft ID.
Stack Size is the maximum stack size for this item. While some items in Minecraft are stackable up to 64, other items can only be stacked up to 16 or 1. (NOTE: These stack sizes are for vanilla Minecraft only. If you are running a mod, some mods may change the stack size for an item.)
Platform is the platform that applies.
Version(s) is the Minecraft version numbers that the Minecraft ID and Name are valid for.
Give Command for Clay
Give Command in Minecraft Java Edition (PC/Mac)
In Minecraft Java Edition (PC/Mac) 1.13, 1.14, 1.15, 1.16, 1.17, 1.18, 1.19 and 1.19.3, the /give command for Clay Ball is:
/give @p clay_ball 1
In Minecraft Java Edition (PC/Mac) 1.8, 1.9, 1.10, 1.11 and 1.12, the /give command for Clay Ball is:
/give @p clay_ball 1 0
Things to Make with Clay
You can use clay to make items in Minecraft such as:
How to make a Brick How to make a Block of Clay
Other Clay Activities
There are other clay activities in Minecraft such as: