The End Portal requires twelve Eyes of Ender placed in specific frames

The End Portal is a structure you build in the Nether, not something you find whole. You need twelve End Portal Frames (blocks that look like dark stone with a small cup on top) and twelve Eyes of Ender (glowing green items). You place the frames in a 3×3 square with the center block missing, then put one Eye of Ender in each frame. When the twelfth Eye goes in, the portal activates and opens a gateway to the End dimension.

The tricky part is that End Portal Frames only exist in the Nether, and you cannot mine them with any tool — they only appear as part of Nether Fortress structures. You have to find them already built into the fortress walls. Eyes of Ender you craft yourself using Blaze Powder and Ender Pearls, both dropped by mobs you fight in the Nether.

Key Takeaways

  • End Portal Frames are found only in Nether Fortresses and cannot be broken or moved — you must build your portal around the frames that already exist there.
  • You need twelve Eyes of Ender, crafted from Blaze Powder (dropped by Blazes) and Ender Pearls (dropped by Endermen), one per frame.
  • The frames must form a 3×3 square with the center empty, and the Eyes must face inward toward the center block.
  • Once all twelve Eyes are placed, the portal opens when ready and you can jump through to reach the End dimension.

Finding End Portal Frames in a Nether Fortress

Nether Fortresses are large structures made of dark red brick that spawn randomly in the Nether. They contain hallways, towers, and bridges. End Portal Frames appear as part of the fortress walls — usually in a room or corridor — and they are already arranged in a partial 3×3 pattern with some frames already in place. You do not build them from scratch; you complete the pattern by placing the missing frames.

To find a Nether Fortress, travel into the Nether through a Nether Portal and explore. Fortresses spawn more often along the Z-axis (north-south direction) than the X-axis. Once you find one, look for a room with dark frames that have small green cups on top. The existing frames show you where to place the new ones. If you cannot find a fortress, you can also use a seed map website to locate one on your world map, though this requires knowing your world seed.

Gathering Blaze Powder and Ender Pearls

Blazes spawn in Nether Fortresses and drop Blaze Rods when killed. You need at least twelve Blaze Rods — one per Eye of Ender. Craft each Blaze Rod into two Blaze Powder by placing the rod in your crafting grid. Endermen spawn throughout the Nether and the Overworld, and they drop Ender Pearls when killed. You need twelve Ender Pearls as well.

Blazes are dangerous — they fly, shoot fireballs, and deal heavy damage. Bring a bow with arrows, a sword, and armor. Endermen are easier to kill but will teleport away if you look directly at them; aim for their legs or use a sword. Once you have twelve Blaze Powder and twelve Ender Pearls, you can craft the Eyes of Ender in your crafting table: place one Blaze Powder above one Ender Pearl in a vertical line, and you get one Eye of Ender.

Placing the End Portal Frames correctly

The 3×3 frame pattern has the center block empty — that is where the portal opens. Stand in the center and look at the nine blocks around you. The frames must face inward, meaning the small cup on top of each frame points toward the center. If you place a frame facing the wrong direction, break it and place it again.

You place frames by right-clicking (or using the place button on mobile) on the block where you want it. The game automatically rotates the frame to face the direction you are standing. To make sure frames face inward, stand in the center of your 3×3 square and place frames around you. If a frame faces outward by mistake, break it with your hand (no tool needed) and replace it while standing in the center again.

Inserting the Eyes of Ender and opening the portal

Once all twelve frames are in place and facing inward, right-click on each frame with an Eye of Ender in your hand. The Eye sinks into the frame and glows. Repeat until all twelve frames have an Eye. On the twelfth Eye, the center block fills with a purple swirling portal — this is the End Portal. You can now jump into it.

The portal takes you to the End dimension, a dark world with floating islands, the Ender Dragon, and End Cities. You cannot return through the same portal; instead, defeating the Ender Dragon or dying sends you back to the Overworld. If you want to return to the End later, you must gather twelve more Eyes of Ender and build another portal, or find the End Gateway Portals that appear after the dragon dies.

What to bring before you jump through

The End is dangerous. Bring a full set of armor, a sword, a bow with arrows, blocks for building (to reach floating islands), food to heal, and a pickaxe. The Ender Dragon can destroy blocks and knock you off islands. Endermen spawn everywhere and attack if you look at them. Bring a helmet or pumpkin to wear so Endermen do not see you as a threat.

Consider building a small platform or shelter near the portal before jumping in, so you have a safe place to land and prepare. You can also bring a bed — placing and sleeping in a bed near the dragon causes an explosion that damages it heavily, making the fight much faster.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I move or break End Portal Frames?

No. End Portal Frames cannot be broken by any tool or method in Survival mode. You can only break them in Creative mode. If you place a frame in the wrong spot, you must build your portal around it or find a different location in the fortress.

What happens if I place an Eye of Ender in the wrong frame?

The Eye stays in the frame and you cannot remove it. You must place Eyes in all twelve frames to open the portal, so if you make a mistake, you need to gather twelve more Eyes and find another set of frames elsewhere in the fortress or a different fortress.

Do I need to be in the Nether to build the End Portal?

Yes. End Portal Frames only exist in Nether Fortresses, so you must travel to the Nether first, find a fortress, and build your portal there. You cannot bring the frames to the Overworld.

Can I see the End Portal before I place all twelve Eyes?

No. The portal only appears after you place the twelfth Eye of Ender. Until then, the center block remains empty.