Name tags are a unique and valuable item in Minecraft that allow players to give custom names to mobs. Unlike many other items, name tags cannot be crafted, making them somewhat rare and sought-after.
This guide will explore all the known methods to find and obtain name tags in the game.
What Are Name Tags Used For?
Name tags are primarily used to name mobs such as animals, villagers, and monsters. Naming a mob prevents it from despawning naturally, which is especially useful for rare or special mobs you want to keep permanently.
For example, naming a wolf or a horse ensures it will stay with you indefinitely.
Pro Tip: Naming a mob “Dinnerbone” or “Grumm” will flip it upside down, creating a fun visual effect!
How to Find Name Tags in Minecraft
Since name tags cannot be crafted, players must find them through exploration or trading. Here are the main ways to obtain name tags:
- Fishing
- Chest Loot
- Trading with Villagers
- Killing Certain Mobs
Fishing for Name Tags
Fishing is one of the most reliable methods to obtain a name tag. When fishing, you have a small chance to catch treasure items instead of fish.
Name tags are part of this treasure loot pool.
The chance of catching a name tag while fishing is low, but it can be increased by using an enchanted fishing rod with the Lure and Luck of the Sea enchantments. These enchantments increase the likelihood of treasure items appearing.
| Condition | Chance of Name Tag |
|---|---|
| Normal Fishing Rod | Approximately 0.5% (1 in 200) |
| Fishing Rod with Luck of the Sea III | Increases chance to ~1.5% |
Finding Name Tags in Chest Loot
Name tags can be found as loot in chests located in various generated structures across the Minecraft world. Exploring these locations can reward you with name tags among other valuable items.
Structures where name tags commonly spawn include:
- Dungeons
- Mineshafts
- Bastion Remnants (in the Nether)
- End Cities
- Buried Treasure
| Structure | Loot Chance | Typical Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Dungeons | ~2-4% | 1 name tag |
| Mineshafts | ~5% | 1 name tag |
| Bastion Remnants | ~3% | 1 name tag |
| End Cities | ~5% | 1 name tag |
| Buried Treasure | ~2% | 1 name tag |
Trading with Villagers
Villagers, specifically the librarian profession, offer name tags as part of their trade inventory. This method can be very effective once you have established a village and set up a librarian.
To obtain name tags through trading, you will need emeralds and sometimes books. Librarians will sell name tags at different trade levels, typically starting at novice or apprentice levels.
Note: You can reset a librarian’s trades by breaking and replacing their lectern until they offer the name tag trade.
| Villager Level | Trade Cost | Item Obtained |
|---|---|---|
| Novice | 20 Emeralds + 1 Book | Name Tag |
| Apprentice or Higher | 18-20 Emeralds | Name Tag |
Killing Certain Mobs
Some mobs, such as spiders and cave spiders, have a rare chance to drop name tags when killed, especially if killed by a player or a tamed wolf. However, this drop chance is extremely low and not considered a reliable method.
The drop rate of name tags from mob kills can be increased by using weapons enchanted with Looting III. Even with Looting, the chance remains very small.
How to Use Name Tags
Once you obtain a name tag, you must use an anvil to rename it before applying it to a mob. Simply right-click the anvil, place the name tag in the first slot, and enter the desired name.
This costs some experience points.
After renaming the tag, approach the mob you want to name and right-click it while holding the name tag. The mob will display the name above its head and will no longer despawn.
Reminder: Name tags cannot be used on certain mobs like the Ender Dragon or the Wither.
Summary of Methods to Find Name Tags
| Method | Reliability | Requirements | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fishing | Moderate | Fishing rod (preferably enchanted) | Low chance, increased with enchantments |
| Chest Loot | Variable | Exploration of structures | Requires exploration and luck |
| Villager Trading | High | Emeralds, access to librarian villagers | Most consistent, requires village setup |
| Mob Drops | Very Low | Combat with spiders or cave spiders | Rare drop, not recommended for farming |
Additional Tips for Finding Name Tags
- Set up a fishing farm: Automating fishing can increase your chances of obtaining name tags over time without much effort.
- Explore mineshafts carefully: Mineshaft chests have one of the highest chances for name tag loot among generated structures.
- Trade early and often: Try to find or create a village with librarians willing to trade name tags. This is often the fastest way.
- Use Looting Enchantments: If you try mob drops, use Looting III on your sword to maximize drop chances.
Conclusion
Finding name tags in Minecraft requires patience, exploration, and sometimes a bit of luck. Whether you prefer fishing for treasure, exploring dangerous structures, or trading with villagers, each method has its own advantages and challenges.
By understanding these options and combining them with efficient gameplay strategies, you can secure a steady supply of name tags to personalize and preserve your favorite mobs in Minecraft.
