Enchantment Order Calculator
Find the cheapest order to combine enchantments on a Minecraft anvil. Avoid 'Too Expensive!' by optimizing your enchant order.
Select Enchantments
Why Enchantment Order Matters
Every time you combine items on an anvil, the result gets a work penalty that doubles the cost of future combinations. The order you combine enchantments determines whether you hit the 39-level cap ("Too Expensive!") or not.
How Anvil Costs Work
- Enchantment cost: Each enchantment has a level cost based on its rarity and level
- Work penalty: Each combination adds a penalty: 0, 1, 3, 7, 15, 31 for each use
- Total cost: Enchantment cost + work penalty on both items
- 39-level cap: Any single step costing 40+ levels shows "Too Expensive!"
The Optimal Strategy
- Combine books with each other first (not onto the item)
- Combine in a binary tree pattern — pair up, then pair the pairs
- Put cheaper enchantments in the right slot (they add to cost)
- Keep the work penalty balanced across both items
Pro Tip
For a perfect Netherite sword (Sharpness V + Unbreaking III + Looting III + Fire Aspect II + Sweeping Edge III + Knockback II + Mending), the optimal order uses only 20 levels total. The wrong order can hit "Too Expensive!" by the 4th enchantment.
Related
- Best Minecraft Enchantments Guide
- Enchantment Table Setup (15 Bookshelves)
- XP Level Calculator — know how many levels you need