Experience or XP is a useful resource in Minecraft. Players can get them by doing various activities, such as killing mobs, smelting items, and mining. While having no direct effect on the player character, it can be used to enhance their equipment through enchanting tables or anvils. Players need a lot of XP to get a good enchanted set of gear.

In this article, Gurugamer is going to showcase the top 5 fastest ways to get XP in Minecraft.

1. Mob farm with Spawners

The most straightforward way of gaining XP is killing mobs. However, mobs in Minecraft only spawn in small numbers, and walking around to find them is not that efficient. Therefore, if you want to get XP, the best way is to find a spawner.

Spider Spawner
Spider Spawner

A spawner (in Java Edition) or monster spawner (in Bedrock Edition), is a cage-like block that can spawn mobs. When configured, it contains a miniature, spinning version of the type of mob it spawns. In the early game, players can go to dungeons and mineshafts to find spawners.

  • Dungeons: One in the center of the dungeon spawning either zombies, skeletons or spiders.
  • Mineshaft: A random number of cave spider spawners, densely surrounded by cobwebs, scattered throughout.

Afterward, players can either build an automatic farm or just kill the mobs as they spawn.

2. Mining

If you’re decently well equipped, go spelunking (cave mining), and mine just about everything. Especially coal, lapis, redstone, diamonds, or emerald, as they give you direct XP. You’ll also get XP for smelting your iron and gold ore, or any cobblestone should you really want it.

Nether Quartz Ore
Nether Quartz Ore

The fastest type of mining, however, only unlocks after you get access to the Nether. Mining Nether Quartz is probably the best type to get exp, as it has the least risk with the greatest reward. You can find nether quartz everywhere, as this ore is extremely common in the Nether. This is caused by the fact that it has no Y-level requirement.

3. Killing the Ender Dragon

If you have access to the End, and are confident in your ability to defeat the Ender Dragon, you can kill it. The first time, you’ll get 12,000 XP, which is amazing! Then, you can respawn the dragon, and kill it for another 500 XP per kill. This may not seem like much, but most monsters will only give you about 10 or less. The Wither, also a boss, will only give you 50.

Ender Dragon Minecraft
Ender Dragon

Assuming that the player is currently at level zero, the 12k EXP is enough to gain more than 65 levels. There are tricks to kill the Ender Dragon without much investment, and if you are proficient, farming the dragon is actually viable.

4. Breeding and Cooking

If you just started, the fastest way would probably be to breed, kill, and cook pigs, chicken (don’t use eggs), sheep, or cows. Just get at least 2 of the same farm animals from the wild and start breeding till you have a huge number, then start killing some of them. Make sure to continue to breed to replenish their number.

Minecraft Piglet
Breed pigs

Breeding gives you XP, killing gives you XP, and cooking the meat gives you XP. You’ll get additional XP if you cook charcoal to use in your furnace(s).

5. Go out at night

Mobs spawn when it is dark, therefore, it is easier to on a mob farming spree at night. Once it’s nighttime, equip your best gear and go out. Try to stay up somewhere high where you can look down and kill the mobs. It'd make it harder for skeletons to hit you and creepers won’t explode.

Night
Mobs spawn more often at night.

6. Go AFK Fishing

Fishing is a very underrated way to farm XP in Minecraft. It doesn't just grant you experience points, but also gives you to fish for food, treasure and some resources you would have to craft otherwise. There is also a small chance to yield some rare enchantment books.

Fishing Rod Minecraft 06af

Players can create a simple AFK fishing farm that allows you to fish by simply keep pressing down your mouse button while standing still. Add a macro, and you can farm XP while AFK.

7. Trading with Villagers

Trading with villagers is actually a surprisingly fast way to gain some XP. Every villager trade offers up to 6 XP points. While this is not a lot, players can stack up fast with multiple trades.

infinite emerald loops
Infinite emerald loops using bookshelves

The best part of this method is that players will gain access to enchants, armor, and other useful items by building an efficient villager trading hall.

8. Smelt Stone Or Sand

While smelting is pretty boring, it is easy to do and players can fire the furnace up at any time to get some extra XP. Sand and cobblestone are some of the easiest resources to get and smelt, which will earn you tons of glass for building or trading with villagers, and plenty of stone for any building purposes.

Image 1 How To Make Glass On Minecraft
Smelt sand to create glass.

>>> Read more: 4 Food Items To Breed Villagers In Minecraft