How to Make a Copper Golem in Minecraft

The Copper Golem was once only a fan-voted concept during Minecraft Live 2021, but after years of anticipation, Mojang officially added it in The Copper Age update released on 30 September 2025. This update is also known as the third game drop, and new features like the copper golem are often introduced in major game drops.

Players can now craft this mob in both Java and Bedrock Editions. Before the official release, players could try out the copper golem early in Java snapshots and on Xbox through preview builds. In creative mode, you can spawn a copper golem by manually placing the required blocks, without needing to gather materials. The copper golem recipe is simple and accessible; for example, it can automate storage to improve efficiency in your base.

Unlike iron golems or snow golems, copper golems do not spawn naturally. They are player-made creations, built from copper blocks and pumpkins. Their unique mechanics make them one of the most versatile utility mobs in the game, combining storage automation with redstone integration. The details of the copper golem's mechanics may evolve with future updates.

A copper golem is a player-crafted mob introduced in The Copper Age update. It is designed as a utility mob rather than a combat mob. Unlike iron golems, which defend villages, copper golems specialize in automation and can make storage a bit more organized.

They can sort items between copper chests and regular chests, press copper buttons in redstone builds, and eventually oxidize into decorative statues. The copper golem's internal data tracks its oxidation stage and interactions with items, enabling more advanced automation. Their oxidation mechanism mirrors copper blocks, giving them a dynamic lifecycle. For example, a copper golem can move items between chests in a redstone build, streamlining your storage system.

Copper golems are available in Java Edition version 1.21.9 and Bedrock Edition version 1.21.111.

The copper golem's story in Minecraft is a testament to the power of community feedback and creative development. Originally introduced as a candidate in the Mob Vote during Minecraft Live 2021, the copper golem quickly captured the imagination of players with its quirky design and copper-themed abilities. Although it didn't win the vote, its popularity never faded. Mojang took note, and with The Copper Age update, the copper golem finally made its debut alongside a suite of new copper blocks, armor, and tools.

This update not only expanded the possibilities for building and automation but also deepened copper's role in the game. The copper golem stands out as a unique golem in Minecraft, blending utility and charm, and reflecting the developers' commitment to evolving the game based on player enthusiasm and the versatile properties of copper.

To create a copper golem in Minecraft, you'll need just a few essential materials: a copper block and a carved pumpkin or jack o'lantern. Start by gathering raw copper, which can be mined in grassy biomes and then smelted in a furnace to produce copper ingots. Combine nine copper ingots in a crafting table to form a copper block.

Next, use shears to carve a pumpkin, or use a jack-o'-lantern if you prefer a glowing effect. When you're ready to build, place the copper block on the ground and set the carved pumpkin or jack o'lantern on top as the final block. This triggers the transformation, creating a copper golem and converting the copper block into a copper chest. The new chest will have the same oxidation level as the original copper block, so you can control your golem's appearance and oxidation level right from the start.

Crafting a copper golem requires a simple build recipe that is slightly easier than other golem builds: the copper golem uses a copper block and a carved pumpkin or jack o'lantern.

1. Place a copper block on the ground. You can use any oxidation stage: normal, exposed, weathered, or fully oxidized.
2. Place a carved pumpkin or jack o'lantern on top of the copper block. This must be the final block placed, and a jack-o'-lantern serves as the golem's head.
3. The copper block transforms into a copper chest, and the copper golem spawns instantly.

Make sure the location where you build the golem is fully within an air block; its hitbox must be entirely inside an air block for the transformation to occur.

The golem's starting color matches the oxidation stage of the copper block used. The oxidation process, also known as oxidization, affects the golem's appearance over time. A fully oxidized block creates a green golem that will freeze faster, while a normal block creates a shiny orange golem.

If you want a copper golem statue for your Minecraft world, you'll need to let a copper golem oxidize completely. Unlike other decorative builds, you can't craft or place a copper golem statue directly; this transformation only happens when a copper golem reaches its final oxidation stage. Once fully oxidized, the golem freezes and becomes a statue, perfect for adding a touch of character to your base or redstone builds.

If you'd rather keep your golem active and shiny, apply honeycomb wax to it to prevent further oxidation. Copper golem statues aren't just for looks; they can be posed, and each pose emits a unique redstone signal when connected to a comparator, opening up creative possibilities for redstone contraptions and decorative displays.

Copper golems have several unique mechanics:

• Automatic Item Sorting: Copper golems take items from copper chests, starting with the first item they find, and can retrieve up to 16 of that item at a time. They search for nearby wooden chests and trapped chests to deposit items, prioritizing chests that already contain matching items. The golem's internal data tracks which chests it has visited, making the storage process a bit more efficient. This system allows them to take items and manage storage automatically, making them ideal for organizing large inventories.
• Oxidation & Statues: Like copper blocks, copper golems undergo an oxidation process (also known as oxidization) that changes their color and behavior over time. Once fully oxidized, they freeze into copper golem statues. These statues are decorative but can also be integrated into redstone builds.
• Redstone Integration: Copper golem statues can be posed. When a statue is created, it takes a random pose. When attached to a redstone comparator, each of the four unique poses emits a different signal strength, allowing creative redstone contraptions.
• Maintenance: Use an axe to scrape oxidation and revive a frozen statue. Apply honeycomb to wax them and lock in their current oxidation level. The waxed status of a copper golem affects its oxidation process and appearance.
• No Fall Damage: Copper golems do not take fall damage and will avoid walking off dangerous drops.
• Aquatic Behavior: Copper golems sink when placed in water, but can move laterally underwater. They do not swim or drown, and can navigate aquatic environments.

Copper golems can interact with non-iron doors, opening and closing them as needed. As a decorative feature, you might see a copper golem holding a flower, adding charm to your builds.

Example: In a large storage room, a copper golem can automate item sorting by taking items from copper chests, searching for the correct nearby wooden or trapped chests, and depositing items efficiently, reducing manual sorting and keeping your inventory organized.

Copper golems are versatile utility mobs:

• Place them near storage systems to automate item sorting, a slightly more efficient alternative to manual sorting.
• Use them in redstone builds for button-pressing and comparator signals.
• Wax them with a honeycomb finish to preserve their waxed status and halt the oxidation process (oxidation), keeping their current color and preventing further aging.
• Revive frozen statues with an axe to restore functionality, which also removes the oxidation and resets the oxidation process.

They are stationary mobs and do not follow players. Their role is purely functional and decorative.

For example, placing a copper golem next to a chest can make your storage a bit more automated by allowing it to press buttons and help sort items.

Copper golems are available in:

• Java Edition: Version 1.21.9 and later.
• Bedrock Edition: Version 1.21.111 and later.

Players could access the copper golem early in Java snapshots and on Xbox preview builds before the official release.

If you are playing an older version, you may need to enable Drop 3 Fall 2025 or The Copper Age experimental toggle in your world settings. In creative mode, you can spawn copper golems by placing the required blocks, just as you would in survival.

The copper golem was introduced in the third game drop, and new features like this are often released in major drops. Some details of the copper golem's behavior may change in future updates.

• Use waxed copper golems to maintain permanent color states for decorative builds, making your creations a bit more vibrant.
• Combine copper golems with hopper systems for advanced storage automation; the golem's internal data can be used to optimize item sorting and handling.
• Experiment with statue poses to create redstone contraptions with multiple signal strengths.
• Place copper golems in themed builds, such as grassy biomes or copper-based structures, to create an immersive effect.
• Use lightning rods in builds to match the copper aesthetic and protect golems from environmental damage.

For example, you can set up a creative automation system where copper golems help sort items into chests a bit faster by interacting with pressure plates and hoppers.

The arrival of the copper golem has sparked a wave of creativity across the Minecraft community. Players have designed intricate redstone machines that use the copper golem statue's signal output for puzzles, secret doors, and even mini-games. Many builders have integrated copper golems into their storage systems, taking advantage of their item-sorting abilities and combining them with iron golems and other mobs for efficient, automated bases.

Tutorials and showcases highlight clever ways to manage oxidation, such as using wax to preserve a favorite look or timing the transformation into a statue for a dramatic effect. Whether you're building a copper-themed fortress, experimenting with redstone, or just looking for a new companion to watch over your chests, the copper golem has become a beloved addition to the world of Minecraft, inspiring players to push the boundaries of what's possible with copper, golems, and creative design.

Yes, as of the Copper Age update.

No, they are player-made only.

They freeze into statues and stop functioning.

No, they are stationary utility mobs.

Yes, scrape oxidation with an axe to restore them.

Copper golems are one of the most exciting additions to Minecraft. Crafted with copper blocks and carved pumpkins, they automate storage, integrate with redstone, and oxidize into statues.

Available in both Java and Bedrock Editions, copper golems combine functionality with creativity. Their oxidation mechanic, waxing options, and redstone integration make them versatile for farms, storage systems, and decorative builds.

By learning how to make a copper golem in Minecraft and experimenting with its mechanics, you can unlock new possibilities for automation and design in your world.