How to Make an Iron Golem in Minecraft

Guide Java Bedrock

Quick answer: Stack 4 iron blocks in a T shape (3 across the top, 1 in the middle below, 1 at the base) and place a carved pumpkin or jack o'lantern on top center last. It transforms into a live iron golem with 100 health that attacks hostile mobs.

What you need

4 blocks of iron (36 iron ingots)
1 carved pumpkin or jack o'lantern
Shears (to carve the pumpkin)

Step by step

Collect 36 iron ingots and craft 4 blocks of iron (9 ingots each).
Get a carved pumpkin: shear a regular pumpkin with shears. A jack o'lantern also works.
Place 1 iron block on the ground, stack 1 more on top (body).
Attach 1 iron block to each side of the top block (arms), forming a T.
Place the carved pumpkin on top of the center block - LAST, or the golem will not form.
The structure transforms into an iron golem: 100 health, up to 21.5 damage per hit, throws mobs into the air.
Golems do not follow you; they patrol where they spawned. Fence them in or use a lead to keep your bodyguard near your base.
Villages spawn their own golems naturally - and villager-summoned golems turn hostile if your village popularity drops too low.

Java vs Bedrock

Identical construction in Java and Bedrock. The T can also be built lying on its side; the pumpkin always goes last.

Versions: Iron golems since 1.2.1. Cracked texture and iron ingot repair (right-click with an iron ingot heals 25%) since 1.15.

Frequently asked questions

Why won't my iron golem spawn?

Check the shape is a T of exactly 4 iron blocks with no extra blocks touching, and that you placed the carved pumpkin last. Snow layers or grass on top of the blocks can also block it.

Will an iron golem protect me?

Player-built golems never attack their creator and fight hostile mobs nearby, but they do not follow you - keep them fenced or on a lead.

How do you heal an iron golem?

Right-click it with an iron ingot: each ingot restores 25% of its health. Cracks on its body show how hurt it is.