To mine gravel quickly, use a shovel, as it is the fastest tool for breaking gravel blocks.
While you can break gravel with any tool or even your hand, using the correct tool significantly increases your mining speed.
The Fastest Tool: The Shovel
Based on game mechanics, gravel is designated as a "diggable" block, for which the shovel is the designated tool. This makes a shovel the most efficient way to break gravel blocks quickly.
Using a shovel appropriate for your game progression will dramatically speed up the process compared to using a pickaxe, axe, or breaking it by hand.
Shovel Materials and Speed
The speed at which a shovel breaks gravel also depends on the material it is made from. Better materials result in faster mining speeds:
- Netherite Shovel: Fastest
- Diamond Shovel: Very Fast
- Golden Shovel: Faster than Iron/Stone but lower durability
- Iron Shovel: Standard Speed
- Stone Shovel: Slower
- Wooden Shovel: Slowest
Using at least an iron shovel is recommended for efficient gravel mining.
Enhancing Your Gravel Mining Speed with Enchantments
To maximize your gravel mining speed, enchant your shovel. Certain enchantments are particularly beneficial:
Essential Enchantments for Speed
| Enchantment | Effect on Gravel Mining | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Efficiency | Significantly increases mining speed. Higher levels (up to Efficiency V) make breaking blocks almost instantaneous. | The most crucial enchantment for fast mining. |
| Unbreaking | Gives the tool a chance to not consume durability when used. | Increases the lifespan of your shovel. |
| Mending | Repairs the tool using experience points picked up. | Excellent for high-level, frequent use. |
| Fortune | Increases the chance of dropping flint (Fortune III gives a 100% chance). | Does not affect mining speed; increases yield. |
For the absolute fastest gravel mining, aim for a Diamond or Netherite Shovel enchanted with Efficiency V. This combination allows you to break gravel blocks almost instantly, limited primarily by how fast you can click or move.
Optimal Mining Techniques
Beyond the tool, consider these techniques:
- Mine Large Deposits: Find areas with significant gravel veins to make the most of your setup.
- Clear Areas: Mining large areas allows for continuous movement and breaking without interruption.
In summary, while gravel can be broken using any tool, a shovel is the quickest. Pairing a high-tier shovel (like Diamond or Netherite) with the Efficiency enchantment will provide the fastest possible way to mine gravel.
