Elytra

For other uses, see Elytra (disambiguation).

Elytra

Rarity tier	Epic
Armor	0 ()
Armor toughness	0 ()
Durability	JE: 432 BE: 433
Knockback resistance	0
Renewable	No
Stackable	No

Elytra are endgame equipment found exclusively in End ships, which are located in the outer islands of the End. While worn in the chest armor slot, they allow for gliding by pressing jump while in midair. Firework rockets can be used for propulsion while gliding.

Obtaining

Natural generation

Elytra are found in End cities in an item frame in the treasure room of the End ship. A shulker guards the elytra along with the ship's two loot chests.

Usage

Elytra are equipped in the chestplate slot, either by placing the item directly in the slot, by pressing use item while held in hand, or by firing a point-blank dispenser at a target. They are gray in color by default but adopt the design of any cape the player is wearing. They maintain their in-world texture design even when they're broken or enchanted.

Smithing templates cannot be applied to elytra because they are not classified as armor.

Flying

"Glide" redirects here. For the Legacy Console Edition mini game, see Glide (mini game).

To fly, the player must press the jump key while in mid-air (i.e., while jumping or falling), causing the elytra to spread apart like a beetle's wings. In flight, the player controls movement direction by turning (moving the aim point) as normal. To adjust pitch, the player moves the aim point upward and downward. Losing altitude increases speed, and gaining altitude decreases speed. Firework rockets can be used to propel the player in the direction they are facing at a speed of 33.5 blocks per second. Additionally, speed is quickly lost from sharp changes in direction.

The player can take fall damage when landing at an angle deeper than approximately 50°.​ Players also take kinetic damage (fly_into_wall damage type) when colliding with a block at a high enough speed. When a player dies this way, they receive the death message "<player> experienced kinetic energy". Note that colliding with a horizontal surface does not cause this type of damage, so the player takes no damage when flying into a ceiling. The amount of damage caused by a collision is determined by the formula:

A safe and simple cruise with the highest travel distance can be achieved by aiming directly at the horizon while at the glide's altitude limit. The player's speed is slow enough to allow them time to do other things during a long flight, like sort out their inventory.

A player stops gliding when colliding with a ladder, as well as with all types of vines in Bedrock Edition. Touching water also stops flight in Bedrock Edition. In Bedrock Edition, flight can be cancelled midair by pressing the jump key.

In Bedrock Edition, a player in Creative mode or with the "mayfly" ability can alternatively hold the jump key to fly up while gliding with elytra. Double-pressing the jump key enters regular Creative flight instead.

Speed and altitude

Elytra have a minimum speed of about 7.2 m/s (obtained by gliding with a strong upward pitch of 30°). A player in flight who drops to 0 speed quickly accelerates back up to at least this minimum. The player can increase speed by choosing to descend faster, but afterward, they typically do not regain nearly as much altitude. In the real world, drag increases with speed and slows an aircraft; Minecraft also mimics this.

Sharp turns are a fast way to lose speed. Quicker turns cause greater losses, while gentle movements have small effects. Making a hairpin turn can be used for making high-speed landings safe as well as for precise landings on small targets like rooftops. The player should aim to glide just above the target then immediately reverse direction right over the target, making adjustments as necessary.

With the right technique,^[1] it is possible to achieve infinite flight until the elytra break. First, start from at least 50 blocks above the ground, though around 80 blocks up is ideal. Fly down with a pitch between 32–33° to build up speed until the player loses about 60-70 blocks of altitude. Then, immediately pitch up to about -50°, and slowly pitch down by +0.5° per tick (+10° per second) until reaching 32° again, and repeat. If done correctly, the player can gain 3 blocks of altitude per cycle, though it may be possible to gain up to 10 blocks of altitude per cycle on average.^[2]​

The lowest rate of altitude loss without changing pitch is about 1.5 m/s, obtained by gliding at the with a slight upward pitch of about 12° to 15°.

The player can achieve the best possible glide ratio obtainable without changing pitch by aiming directly at the horizon (0°). This ratio is about 10.06 blocks traveled horizontally per 1 block of starting altitude, not including the time and altitude required to build up speed.

Slow Falling potions greatly decrease the player's vertical and horizontal velocity when flying with elytra. Although this greatly decreases speed, it does not reduce the rate of durability loss of elytra. The Feather Falling enchantment does not affect elytra speed and does not reduce damage from colliding with blocks with elytra.

It is possible to calculate the glide range by multiplying the altitude by the cotangent of the glide angle . For example, a player gliding from an altitude of 64 blocks above ground with a glide angle of 15° can glide for or ~238.85 blocks (ignoring terrain).

Stalling

Trying for too high a pitch reduces the player's lift. At a pitch of 30° above the horizon, the player has the lowest possible airspeed of 7.2 m/s. Above that, the player might be considered to be in a stall. Increasing the pitch gets closer to a free-fall, and stalled flight at 60° is enough to cause fall damage. Stalling at 90° is a true free-fall.

Recovering from a stall is done by readjusting to any safe pitch as quickly as the player likes. This can be done by pivoting to look at the horizon.

Powered flight

Firework rockets can be used for propulsion during flight by placing it in either hand and using. Using a firework rocket while gliding makes the player move in the direction they're facing at 33.5 blocks per second, for a time dependent on the rocket's flight duration. If any entities are leashed to the player, they instantly detach from the player when they use a firework rocket.

If the rocket is equipped with firework stars, it explodes at the end of its flight, inflicting damage based on the number of stars.

It is possible to gain altitude during powered flight, making it possible to glide for extreme distances.

Durability

A broken elytra

Durability decreases by one point each second when gliding. Elytra have 432 durability, allowing 7 minutes and 12 seconds of gliding time without enchantments, providing more than 10,000 blocks of transport distance. It is possible to apply the Unbreaking enchantment using an anvil and an enchanted book, which affects the elytra, in the same way it does to tools. Unbreaking III increases elytra's flight time to about four seconds per durability point, a total of 28 minutes and 48 seconds.

When the durability reaches 1, the elytra stop working until they are repaired, adopting a tattered texture in the inventory. The damage ends at durability 1, so they can never fully break.

The usage of firework rockets doesn't decrease the elytra's durability.

Repairing

Combining

Ingredients	Crafting recipe	Notes
Damaged Elytra		The durability of the two pairs is added together, plus extra 21 points of durability.

Ingredients	Grinding recipe	Notes
Damaged Elytra		The durability of the two pairs is added together, plus extra 21 points of durability.

Anvil repair

Ingredients	Anvil recipe
Damaged Elytra + Phantom Membrane	Elytra

Elytra can be repaired in an anvil by adding phantom membranes, with each membrane restoring 25% of the elytra's durability (108 points). Two pairs of elytra can also be combined in an anvil. Both methods preserve the elytra's enchantments.

Enchanting

Elytra cannot be enchanted on the enchanting table, but on an anvil it can receive the following enchantments:

Name	Description	Max level	Method	Weight
Unbreaking	Grants a chance to negate durability consumption.	III	Anvil	5
Mending	Repairs the elytra when obtaining experience.	I	Anvil	2
Curse of Vanishing	The elytra vanish upon death and do not drop as an item.	I	Anvil	1
Curse of Binding	Removes the ability to un-equip the elytra.	I	Anvil	1

Sounds

Java Edition:

Bedrock Edition:

Data values

ID

Java Edition:

Name	Identifier	Form	Translation key
Elytra	elytra	Item	item.minecraft.elytra

Bedrock Edition:

Name	Identifier	Numeric ID	Form	Translation key
Elytra	elytra	564	Item	item.elytra.name

Achievements

Icon		Achievement	In-game description	Actual requirements (if different)	Gamerscore earned	Trophy type (PS)
PS4	Other
		Super Sonic	Use Elytra to fly through a 1 by 1 gap while moving faster than 40 m/s	The 1×1 block gap does not need to be on the wall, you can fly into a 1×1 block gap whether its on the top, bottom, or side.	30	Gold

Advancements

Icon	Advancement	In-game description	Actual requirements (if different)
	Sky's the Limit	Find Elytra	Have a pair of elytra in the inventory.

History

Development

October 5, 2015							Tommaso Checchi tweets that Jeb is working on a secret feature for Minecraft Java Edition, saying "it's like Mario 64."
October 6, 2015							Jeb tweets an animated GIF revealing a player gliding around an End city. Elytra have a dragon-wing texture.
October 6, 2015							Jeb tweets an image of folded wings, which replace the cape the player is wearing.
October 6, 2015							Jeb tweets another animated GIF of his character with Mojang-themed elytra, gliding along a river through a taiga forest.

Java Edition

Java Edition
1.9			15w41a				Added elytra.
							Elytra are currently repaired with leather when using anvil.
			15w42a				Elytra now spread slightly when the player crouches.
							The player can now take damage from gliding into walls, and crashing into a wall now has its own death message.
							When flying with elytra, players are only 0.6 blocks tall. They, therefore, can now fit through 1-block gaps while gliding.
							The player's point of view now shifts while gliding.
							The player can no longer go higher than the starting point of the glide.
			16w04a				Players now keep their smaller hitbox when gliding into small spaces, allowing them to crawl. When they leave the space where they do not fit in with the larger hitbox, the hitbox increases back to normal.[3]
			16w06a				Elytra now recognize the player's cape and adopt a different design for every official cape (see Gallery). In addition, Jeb had stated that he was working on a feature to allow players to change the design like regular player skins.
			16w07a				Elytra are now activated by jumping mid-air. The player no longer glides automatically when falling.
							The player no longer stops gliding when flying into water, lava or cobwebs.
							The cape option in the options menu now also disables custom elytra textures.
							Added the game rule disableElytraMovementCheck.
1.9.1			pre1				Sounds while gliding with elytra have been added.
1.11			16w32a				Elytra can now be placed on armor stands, just like any other chestplate.
			16w38a				Elytra are now visible on zombies, skeletons, and armor stands.
			16w41a				Elytra now have their own sound when equipped.
1.11.1			16w50a				Elytra can now be propelled through the air by using firework rockets.
1.13			18w07a				A smooth transition is now applied to the camera when the player starts or stops gliding.
			18w14a				Elytra now require phantom membrane to be repaired, instead of leather.
			18w21a				The rarity of elytra has been changed from "Common" to "Uncommon".
1.14			18w43a				The textures of the elytra have been changed.
1.15			19w39a				The deployment animation of elytra causes player blinks when the deployment events has overlapped.
			19w42a				The deployment and folding animations of elytra have been improved and become smoother.
							Elytra can now start to glide immediately after a jump, not only during falls.
1.18			experimental snapshot 7				Elytra no longer use up durability when gliding regularly. Durability is now consumed only when a firework rocket is used.
							Speed boosts from firework rockets are slightly weaker.
							Now break when the item reaches 0 durability.
			21w37a				The elytra changes in experimental snapshot 7 have been reverted.
1.19			pre1				Equipping elytra through the inventory now plays a sound.[4]
1.19.4			23w05a				Equipping elytra while held with an item already in the chestplate slot now swaps the two items.
1.21.2			24w33a				The rarity of elytra has been changed from "Uncommon" to "Epic".
1.21.4			24w44a				A subtitle for flying has been added as "Elytra swooshes".
			24w45a				The flying subtitle has been changed to "Swoosh".[5]
1.21.5			25w02a				Elytra flight now cancelled when flying into climbable blocks like ladders, scaffolding, vines etc..[6]
1.21.11			25w41a				Players can now glide with elytra through vines, twisting vines and weeping vines.
			25w42a				Players can now glide with elytra through cave vines.

Bedrock Edition

Pocket Edition
1.0.0			alpha 0.17.0.1				Added elytra. In-game, they are known as elytra wings.
Bedrock Edition
1.2.0			beta 1.2.0.2				Elytra can now be propelled through the air by using firework rockets.
1.2.3			beta 1.2.3.3				Elytra Wings have been renamed to Elytra.
1.6.0			beta 1.6.0.5				Elytra can now be repaired in an anvil using phantom membrane, instead of leather.
1.10.0			beta 1.10.0.3				The textures of elytra have been changed.
1.21.30			Preview 1.21.30.21				The rarity of elytra has been changed from "Common" to "Epic".

Legacy Console Edition

Legacy Console Edition
Xbox 360	Xbox One	PS3	PS4	PS Vita	Wii U	Switch
TU46	CU36	1.38	1.38	1.38	Patch 15	1.0.1	Added elytra.
							Players keep their smaller hitbox when gliding into small spaces, allowing them to crawl. When they leave the space where they do not fit in with the larger hitbox, the hitbox increases back to normal.
TU53	CU43	1.49	1.50	1.49	Patch 23	1.0.3	Elytra can now be propelled through the air by using firework rockets.
TU54	CU44	1.52	1.52	1.52	Patch 24	1.0.4	Elytra can now be placed on armor stands, just like any other chestplate.
							Equipping elytra using the quick equip functionality in creative mode now duplicates the elytra, as in Java Edition.
TU69		1.76	1.76	1.76	Patch 38		Elytra are now repaired on the anvil using phantom membrane instead of leather.
							A smooth transition is now applied to the camera when the player starts or stops gliding.
							The elytra flight is now cancelled when touching water, as in Bedrock Edition.
			1.90				The textures of elytra have been changed.

New Nintendo 3DS Edition

New Nintendo 3DS Edition
1.7.10							Added elytra.

• 
  First elytra designs created by jeb_ fitting to the official capes and posted on Reddit.
• 
  The first image of elytra, tweeted by Jeb. Click to play.
• 
  Folded elytra, which resembles the cape the user is wearing.
• 
  The MINECON 2015 cape elytra.
• 
  Dinnerbone flying upside down.

Data history

Issues

Issues relating to "Elytra" are maintained on the bug tracker. Issues should be reported and viewed there.

Trivia

Try and incorporate this information into the main article.

Trivia sections should follow the Trivia guidelines and content that belongs better in other sections should be moved there.

• In real life, elytra are the tough forewings of beetles and earwigs that cover the wings they actually use for flight. However, like Minecraft elytra, some beetles can use them for gliding.
• A flying player has a shorter hitbox than usual: a 0.6 block cube centered on the player's feet. This is different from swimming, where the hitbox is centered on the player's torso.^[7]
• In Java Edition if the player glides into deep water with elytra equipped, the animation does not stop, giving it the appearance of a swimming animation.^[8] The animation stops once the player touches the ground. Additionally, firework rockets can be used with elytra underwater with a short boost duration.
• Elytra do not deactivate when the player flies into lava.^[8]
• Elytra can be equipped onto some mobs using commands. This has no effect unless the mob has the FallFlying tag set to 1b. Except for squid, mobs glide forward, unable to control the movement before landing, at which time they regain their AI.
  • An exception is the squid's AI, causing the squid to attempt swimming in midair, making it fall straight down because it conflicts with the elytra mechanics.
  • Because chickens fall slowly, they can move more distance.
  • Endermen, tamed wolves, and tamed cats that are not sitting cannot teleport until they hit the ground.
  • Because mobs do not regain control until they hit the ground, vexes fall until they die or despawn because they cannot touch the ground.
  • Mobs capable of flying, such as parrots or vexes can steer in air, though they cannot travel up or down. Dolphins also have this ability.
• 4J Studios created an elytra-centered tutorial map for console edition when elytra were first introduced to this platform. This map is themed as "ruins of an ancient civilization of Minecraft worshippers" and showcases the new amplified terrain generation. This map can be seen behind the scenes.^[9] On 28 March 2017, 4J Studios added an elytra-themed minigame for Legacy Console Edition called "Glide;" it consists of Time Attack and Score Attack mode.^[10][11]
• A player who jumps with both elytra and the Slow Falling effect travels slightly upward, which is a cheap but time-consuming alternative to fireworks and Riptide-enchanted tridents.
• Mojang has considered the suggestion of combining elytra with a chestplate, but eventually decided against it, stating that elytra taking up armor is an intentional decision of game balancing.^[12]
• In Minecraft is turning 15, Zuri can be seen wearing elytra that appear disproportionately small.

Gallery

Renders

Worn

• 
  Alex gliding with elytra
• 
  Ari gliding with elytra
• 
  Kai gliding with elytra
• 
  Noor gliding with elytra
• 
  Steve gliding with elytra
• 
  Sunny gliding with elytra
• 
  Zuri gliding with elytra
• 
  Efe gliding with elytra
• 
  Makena gliding with elytra

Capes

• 
  Classic Mojang Cape
• 
  Mojang Cape
• 
  Mojang Studios Cape
• 
  MINECON 2011 Cape
• 
  MINECON 2012 Cape
• 
  MINECON 2013 Cape
• 
  MINECON 2015 Cape
• 
  MINECON 2016 Cape
• 
  Founder's Cape
• 
  Translator Cape
• 
  dannyBstyle's Cape
• 
  JulianClark's Cape
• 
  Millionth Customer Cape
• 
  Moderator Cape
• 
  MrMessiah's Cape
• 
  Prismarine Cape
• 
  Realms MapMaker Cape
• 
  Cobalt Cape
• 
  Scrolls Champion Cape
• 
  Turtle Cape
• 
  Birthday Cape
• 
  Valentine Cape
• 
  Oxeye Cape
• 
  Blueprint Cape
• 
  Migrator Cape
• 
  Pan Cape
• 
  Progress Pride Cape
• 
  Vanilla Cape
• 
  Cherry Blossom Cape
• 
  Follower's Cape
• 
  Purple Heart Cape
• 
  15th Anniversary Cape
• 
  MCC 15th Year Cape
• 
  Minecraft Experience Cape
• 
  Mojang Office Cape
• 
  Home Cape
• 
  Menace Cape
• 
  Yearn Cape
• 
  Common Cape
• 
  Copper Cape
• 
  Zombie Horse Cape
• 
  Moonlight Trail Cape
• 
  Crafter Cape
• 
  Builder Cape
• 
  Hero Cape
• 
  Twisted Cape
• 
  Aurora Cape

Item

• 
  Enchanted elytra

Screenshots

• 
  Elytra in an End ship
• 
  A player wearing elytra
• 
  A player using elytra
• 
  Elytra with only 1 durability
• 
  A player gliding while blocking with a shield

In other media

• 
  Efe wearing elytra with the zombie horse cape
• 
  Super Sonic and Shadow flying alongside Steve with elytra
• 
  Screenshot of Glide mini-games
• 
  Another screenshot of Glide mini-games
• 
  Official elytra themed tutorial map
• 
  Artwork of Steve and Alex using elytra
• 
  Glide launch poster
• 
  Ari flying with several parrots
• 
  Makena flying with elytra
• 
  Zuri wearing the elytra item, not the elytra model
• 
  Elytra concept art for A Minecraft Movie
• 
  Two pairs of elytra as they appear in A Minecraft Movie
• 
  Elytra as seen in Minecraft Dungeons
• 
  Elytra as seen in Minecraft: Story Mode

References

External links

• Taking Inventory: Elytra – Minecraft.net on December 14, 2019