Villager Trading in 1.21

Villagers are your best source for rare items, including Mending books and Diamond gear. This guide covers all professions and optimal trading strategies.

Villager Professions

Villagers gain professions by claiming workstations:

Profession	Workstation	Best Trades
Librarian	Lectern	Enchanted books, Name Tags
Toolsmith	Smithing Table	Diamond tools
Weaponsmith	Grindstone	Diamond swords, axes
Armorer	Blast Furnace	Diamond armor
Farmer	Composter	Food, emeralds
Cleric	Brewing Stand	Ender Pearls, Redstone
Fletcher	Fletching Table	Arrows, bows
Fisherman	Barrel	Emeralds for fish
Cartographer	Cartography Table	Explorer maps
Leatherworker	Cauldron	Leather armor, saddles
Mason/Stone Mason	Stonecutter	Decorative blocks
Butcher	Smoker	Cooked meat
Shepherd	Loom	Colored wool, beds

Trading Levels

Villagers level up through trading:

1. Novice (Stone badge) - 2 trades
2. Apprentice (Iron badge) - 2 more trades
3. Journeyman (Gold badge) - 2 more trades
4. Expert (Emerald badge) - 2 more trades
5. Master (Diamond badge) - Final 2 trades

Best Trades for Emeralds

Earning Emeralds (Sell to Villagers)

Trade	Profession	Why It's Good
Sticks → Emeralds	Fletcher	Infinite wood supply
Paper → Emeralds	Librarian/Cartographer	Sugar cane farm
Pumpkins → Emeralds	Farmer	Easy farm, good ratio
Melons → Emeralds	Farmer	Easy farm
Coal → Emeralds	Armorer/Toolsmith/Weaponsmith	Common resource
Iron → Emeralds	Armorer/Toolsmith/Weaponsmith	Iron farm passive income

Spending Emeralds (Buy from Villagers)

Item	Profession	Level
Mending Book	Librarian	Any (random)
Diamond Pickaxe	Toolsmith	Master
Diamond Sword	Weaponsmith	Master
Diamond Armor	Armorer	Expert/Master
Ender Pearls	Cleric	Expert

Getting Mending Books

Mending is the most valuable enchantment. Here's how to get it:

Librarian Cycling

1. Place a Lectern near an unemployed villager
2. Check their first trade (should show a book)
3. If not Mending → break lectern → repeat
4. Once you find Mending → trade once to lock the profession

Tip: Trade early in the day - villagers need to work at their station to restock.

Zombie Villager Curing (Discounts)

Cured Zombie Villagers give HUGE discounts:

1. Trap a Zombie Villager (don't kill it)
2. Throw Splash Potion of Weakness
3. Feed it a Golden Apple
4. Wait 3-5 minutes for conversion
5. Repeat for even better discounts!

After multiple cures, 1 Emerald trades become possible!

Villager Breeding

To breed villagers:

• Both villagers must be "willing" (have food)
• Extra beds must be available
• Throw them bread, carrots, or potatoes

Related Guides

• Best Farms 2026
• Enchanting Guide
• Villager Mob Page