How To Get Elytra In Minecraft: Complete 2026 Guide
Elytra is one of the most rewarding items in Minecraft — a chestplate that lets you glide and fly across the map instead of walking or building bridges. If you’ve been wondering how to get Elytra in Minecraft, this guide covers exactly where to find it, how to survive the trip, and how to fly safely once you have it.
🛸 Found In: End Ships | 🌌 Location: End Cities (Outer End Islands) | 🎯 Spawn Chance: ~27% Per End City | 🧵 Durability: 432 | 🎆 Needs: Firework Rockets To Boost Flight | ⚠️ Guarded By: Shulkers
What Is Elytra?
Elytra is a special chestplate item in Minecraft that replaces normal armor in the chest slot and allows the player to glide through the air. Modeled after insect wings, Elytra turns any high point into a launch pad and, when combined with Firework Rockets, becomes the fastest way to travel long distances in the game.
Unlike most Minecraft gear, Elytra cannot be crafted. It can only be obtained by finding it in the wild, which makes locating one a genuine end-game milestone rather than a simple crafting recipe.
Who, What, When, Where, Why And How
- Who: Any Minecraft player who has reached the End dimension and wants faster travel.
- What: A wearable chestplate item that enables gliding flight.
- When: Typically an end-game or late-game goal, once a player can safely reach and explore the End.
- Where: Inside item frames aboard End Ships, which spawn near End Cities in the outer End islands.
- Why: To travel across oceans, canyons, and large builds far faster than walking, boating, or riding a horse.
- How: Open an End Portal, travel to the outer End islands, locate an End City, find its End Ship, and retrieve the Elytra from its item frame.
How To Get Elytra: Step By Step
- Locate or build an End Portal and activate it with Eyes of Ender.
- Enter the End dimension and, if desired, defeat the Ender Dragon (not required to proceed, but recommended to unlock safer respawning).
- Find an End Gateway (created after defeating the Dragon, or located by throwing an Ender Pearl into the void near the main island’s edge) to reach the outer End islands.
- Explore the outer islands using Elytra-free travel such as bridging with blocks or throwing Ender Pearls, looking for the tall purple towers of an End City.
- Approach the End City carefully — Shulkers guard these structures and can knock you off with levitation attacks.
- Search around and below the End City for a crashed End Ship, a long purpur-block vessel.
- Board the End Ship and locate the item frame near the front containing the Elytra.
- Retrieve the Elytra and equip it in your chestplate armor slot.
- Loot the End Ship’s chest for additional valuable items before leaving.
- Craft Firework Rockets before your next trip so you can actually power your flight.
Crafting Firework Rockets For Flight
Elytra alone only lets you glide downward — to gain altitude and cover real distance, you need Firework Rockets.
- Basic Rocket: 1 Paper + 1 Gunpowder = short boost, low flight duration.
- Medium Rocket: 1 Paper + 2 Gunpowder = longer boost duration.
- Strong Rocket: 1 Paper + 3 Gunpowder = maximum boost duration (the practical cap for flight boosts).
While gliding, hold and use a Firework Rocket to launch yourself forward and upward. Chaining rockets lets experienced players cross entire oceans in minutes.
Elytra vs Other Travel Methods
| Method | Speed | Best For | Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elytra + Rockets | Very Fast | Long-distance travel, oceans, canyons | Needs rockets and open space to launch |
| Horse | Fast | Overland travel on flat terrain | Blocked by water, cliffs, and obstacles |
| Boat | Fast On Water | Ocean and river travel | Useless on land |
| Ender Pearl | Instant, Short Range | Quick gap crossing, escapes | Causes fall damage, short distance only |
| Walking | Slow | Short distances, early game | Very time-consuming over long distances |
Tips For Flying Safely
Watch your Elytra’s durability bar. At low durability it can break mid-flight, so repair it with Phantom Membrane before long trips. Phantom Membrane is dropped by Phantoms, which spawn at night if you haven’t slept in a few in-game days.
Avoid flying directly into unexplored terrain at high speed — sudden cliffs, trees, or cave openings can cause fatal collisions. Slow down or glide higher when approaching unfamiliar areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do you find Elytra in Minecraft?
Elytra is found inside item frames on End Ships, which spawn next to End Cities in the outer islands of the End dimension. Each End City has roughly a 27% chance of having a nearby End Ship.
Is Elytra a guaranteed drop in every End City?
No. Not every End City spawns with an End Ship, so you may need to explore several End Cities before finding one with Elytra. Bringing enough supplies for an extended End exploration trip is recommended.
How do you fly with Elytra?
Equip Elytra in the chestplate armor slot, jump off a high point, and double-tap the jump key to start gliding. Use Firework Rockets while gliding to boost forward speed and gain altitude.
How do you craft Firework Rockets for Elytra?
Combine Gunpowder and Paper in a crafting table. One Gunpowder plus one Paper makes a basic Firework Rocket. Adding more Gunpowder (up to three) increases flight duration and boost power.
Can Elytra break?
Yes. Elytra has 432 durability and loses durability while gliding and when taking damage while worn. It can be repaired using Phantom Membrane in an anvil or crafting grid, or fully repaired by combining two damaged Elytra.
Do you need to beat the Ender Dragon before getting Elytra?
You need to open an End Portal and enter the End dimension, but defeating the Ender Dragon first is not required to reach the outer End islands where End Cities and Elytra spawn.
What is the fastest way to find an End City?
After entering the outer End islands, use Chorus Fruit to teleport short distances toward visible purple End City spires, or build bridges across gaps. End Cities are usually visible from a distance due to their tall purpur block towers.
Are Shulkers dangerous when getting Elytra?
Yes. End Cities are guarded by Shulkers, which fire levitation-inducing projectiles. Getting hit can launch you into the void, so fight carefully and consider using cobwebs or a shield to block their attacks.
Can you get Elytra in Bedrock Edition the same way?
Yes. The process is the same in Bedrock Edition and Java Edition — Elytra spawns in an item frame aboard End Ships near End Cities in both versions.
Is Elytra better than a boat for water travel?
Boats are usually faster and safer for pure water travel, while Elytra excels at covering long distances quickly through open air, especially over oceans or canyons, once you have Firework Rockets to sustain flight.
What color are End Ships and how do I recognize one?
End Ships are long, purple purpur-block vessels that resemble sunken pirate ships, usually found tipped over or crashed near an End City. They contain valuable loot chests in addition to the Elytra item frame.
Minecraft Related Guides 2026 By Aik Designs Blogs
👉 How To Make Concrete In Minecraft
👉 How To Get Honey In Minecraft
👉 Get Diamonds Fast In Minecraft
👉 How To Get Netherite In Minecraft
👉 How To Get Elytra In Minecraft
Conclusion
Getting Elytra takes some End City exploration and a bit of risk, but once you have it — along with a steady supply of Firework Rockets — it fundamentally changes how you play Minecraft. No more long boat rides or endless overland treks; you can glide straight to your destination.
Looking for more Aik Designs free game guides beyond Minecraft? Check out our GPO Map: Grand Piece Online guide or our 15 Best Scratch Games roundup.
About Author
