{{For}}
{{For|the ranged weapon of a similar name|Crossbow}}
{{Item
| image = <gallery>
Bow.png | Bow
Bow (Pull 0).png | Pulled (state 0)
Bow (Pull 1).png | Pulled (state 1)
Bow (Pull 2).png | Pulled (state 2)
</gallery>
| rarity = Common
| renewable = Yes
| durability = 384
| stackable = No
}}

A '''bow''' is a ranged [[weapon]] that shoots [[arrow]]s.

== Obtaining ==

=== Crafting ===

{{crafting
|showname=0
|B1= Stick
|C1= String
|A2= Stick
|C2= String
|B3= Stick
|C3= String
|Output= Bow
|type= Combat
}}

===Mob loot===

==== Skeletons and Strays ====

[[Skeleton]]s and [[stray]]s have an 8.5% chance of dropping a normal or enchanted bow on death when killed by a [[player]] or a tamed [[wolf]]. 

The chance of dropping a bow is increased by 1% per level of [[Looting]], allowing up to an 11.5% chance of dropping. 

The chance of being enchanted depends on the [[difficulty]], whether it is normal or hard. The enchantment level is equal to enchant level 5-22. 

Bows of [[skeleton trap]]s are always enchanted at level 5 to 23. The exact level depends on [[regional difficulty]], as on Easy it is always a level-5 enchantment.

==== Illusioners ====
{{exclusive|java|section=1}}

[[Illusioner]]s have an 8.5% chance of dropping an unenchanted bow when killed by the player. The chance of dropping a bow is increased by 1% per level of Looting, allowing up to an 11.5% chance of dropping. 

=== Trading ===

Apprentice-level fletcher [[villager]]s sell bows for 2 [[emerald]]s as part of their [[trading|trade]]s.

Expert-level fletcher villagers sell enchanted bows for 7&ndash;21 emeralds as part of their trades. The enchantment level is equal to enchant level 5&ndash;19.

=== Fishing ===

Bows have a chance of being caught by [[fishing]]. When caught, the bow may be damaged and contain random [[enchantment]]s equivalent to a level 30 enchantment from an [[enchanting table]], including treasure enchantments like [[Mending]].

=== Repairing ===
{{Grinding
|showdescription=1
|ingredients=2x Damaged [[Bow]]
|Damaged Bow
|Damaged Bow
|Bow
|description=The durability of the two bows is added together, plus an extra 5% durability.
}}
{{Crafting
|Damaged Bow
|Damaged Bow
|Output=Bow
|type=Combat
|ignoreusage=1
}}

== Usage ==

=== Weapon ===
[[File:Steve aiming with Bow.png|150px|right]]
[[File:Alex aiming with Bow.png|150px|right]]

Bows can be drawn back by {{control|using}} them. In order to use a bow, the player must have at least one [[arrow]] in their [[inventory]] or be in [[Creative]] mode. The arrow that is shown inside the bow always looks like a regular arrow, regardless of what kind of arrow is actually being shot from the bow.<ref>{{bug|MC-87685||Drawn bow texture does not reflect arrow that will be shot|WF}}</ref>

When drawing a bow, the display zooms in slightly. Charging the bow to its maximum causes it to visually shake as an indicator. Releasing the button shoots an [[arrow]] if it is charged at least 15%. Drawing a bow can be canceled by switching to another hotbar slot while holding use.

While the bow is being charged or remains fully charged, the player is forced to move at [[sneaking]] speed, unless they are riding a [[horse]], [[minecart]] or [[boat]], or flying with [[elytra]]. It is not possible to [[Sprinting|sprint]] while charging a bow or holding a drawn bow. When the bow is released, normal motion resumes although any prior sprint is cancelled. Sneaking while drawing the bow makes the player move even slower.

If an arrow hits another player, the player that shoots the arrow hears a high-pitched "ding" sound.{{only|je}}

Fully charged shots launch critical arrows which have a trail of [[particles]] behind them and deal up to <math display="inline">\left ( \frac{3x}{2} \right ) + 2</math>damage, where <math>x</math>is the damage after any enchantments. The listed values below describe maximum damage from a bow with no [[Power]] enchantments, assuming the target is at a distance where drag and gravity are negligible. However, the critical damage is likely to be more around 8-10; critical damage is added at a random value between <math>x</math>and <math display="inline">\left ( \frac{3x}{2} \right ) + 2</math> and it is rare to have minimum or maximum values. The damage dealt can ultimately be less than the maximum damage if the arrow slows down after being shot. 

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" data-description="Shot base damage by changing time"
|-
! Charging time
! Maximum attack damage
|-
|{{ItemSprite|Bow|text= '''0.1 s'''}} (no charge)
|{{hp|1}}
|-
|{{ItemSprite|Bow|text= '''0.2–0.9 s'''}} (medium charge)
|{{hp|5}}
|-
|{{ItemSprite|Bow|text= '''1+ s'''}} (full charge)
|{{hp|6}}
|-
|{{ItemSprite|Bow|text= '''1+ s'''}} (critical)
|{{hp|11}}
|-
|}

The game stores the damage of arrows even in values with a decimal point. For example, it is possible for a critical arrow shot to cause damage values such as 6.4. In this cases of a broken value, the game can round up or down and store the amount for subsequent damage sources.

Any projectile thrown by the player is under the influence of momentum in current versions of ''Minecraft''. Naturally, the player's movement speed can be modified under a number of circumstances, affecting the ballistic trajectory of projectiles, and as a result, the damage inflicted by arrows.

In [[Java Edition Combat Tests]], to avoid sniping, arrows shot from fully-charged bows become non-critical if held drawn back for longer than three seconds. Instantaneous effects on tipped arrows are scaled by 1/8, just like the duration of other effects. For example, Instant Damage I arrow will deal an additional {{hp|0.75}} magical damage.

Damage caused by the arrow is not affected by the [[Strength]] effect.

[[Endermen]] cannot be shot using an arrow, because the arrow either disappears as the enderman teleports, or it gets deflected. Even while immobile, the enderman is immune to damage from arrows. However, an arrow shot from a bow enchanted with [[Flame]] can ignite the enderman.

=== Crafting ingredient ===

{{crafting usage|Bow, Damaged Bow}}

=== Enchantments ===

Bows can receive several different [[enchantment]]s and have a base enchantability of 1. Bow enchantments have no effect on [[arrow]] speed or the distance it travels. In [[Bedrock Edition]], if a bow is enchanted with any level 1 enchantment, it always gets Power I.{{verify|This used to be in the trivia section. Not valid in Java Edition.}}

{| class="wikitable col-3-center"
|+
!Name
!Summary
!Max Level
|-
|[[Power]]
|Increases the damage dealt by bow-shot arrows.
|V
|-
|[[Punch]]
|Increases the knockback dealt by bow-shot arrows.
|II
|-
|[[Flame]]
|Ignites arrows, dealing fire damage to anyone hit as well as igniting TNT and campfires.
|I
|-
|[[Infinity]]<ref group=n name=exclusive>Mending and Infinity are mutually exclusive.</ref> 
|Stops the bow from consuming arrows when shot. A minimum of 1 arrow is still required to work.
|I
|-
|[[Unbreaking]]
|Grants a chance to negate durability consumption, making the bow last longer.
|III
|-
|[[Mending]]<ref group=n name=exclusive></ref>
|Repairs the bow using experience, but also preventing the player from gaining score.
|I
|-
|[[Curse of Vanishing]]
|The bow vanishes on death, not dropping as an item. Overridden by keepInventory.
|I
|}
;Notes
{{Reflist|group=n}}

=== Fuel ===

A bow can be used as [[fuel]] in [[furnace]]s, smelting 1.5 items per bow {{in|java}} or 1 item per bow {{in|bedrock}}.

== Arrows ==

{{main|Arrow}}

As in real life, a flying [[arrow]] in ''Minecraft'' is affected by gravity. Its vertical speed is modified by one block downward every second, resulting in a {{w|Parabola|parabolic}} flight path. An arrow slows down if shot through water, reducing its damage to near zero unless brought back into the air or otherwise given momentum.{{Only|Java}}

Arrows that hit solid [[blocks]] become stuck and can be retrieved, unless the arrow was shot by a bow [[enchant]]ed with [[Infinity]], a player in Creative mode, or a mob.

An arrow shot through [[lava]] ignites, giving it the effect of the [[Flame]] enchantment, igniting any entity it hits. If not extinguished, the fire inflicts up to {{hp|4}} damage. Although a [[wither skeleton]] does not spawn naturally with bows, if it holds a bow then it also shoots flaming arrows.

On impact, an arrow can trigger a wooden [[pressure plate]], [[target]] block, [[wooden button]], or [[tripwire]]. Arrows cannot trigger stone pressure plates or stone buttons.

The player can choose the type of arrow to shoot based on its location in the inventory. Arrows in the off-hand, or the selected hotbar slot if the bow is in the off-hand, are prioritized first. If there are no arrows in the off-hand or selected hotbar slot then the arrow closest to [[Inventory#Slots|slot 0]] is selected.

Arrows shot by bows in [[Bedrock Edition]] has a slightly higher range than arrows shot by bows in [[Java Edition]].

==Sounds==
{{edition|java}}:
{{Sound table
|sound=Arrow hit1.ogg
|sound2=Arrow hit2.ogg
|sound3=Arrow hit3.ogg
|sound4=Arrow hit4.ogg
|subtitle=Arrow hits
|source=neutral
|description=When an arrow impacts something
|id=entity.arrow.hit
|translationkey=subtitles.entity.arrow.hit
|volume=1.0
|pitch={{frac|12|11}}-{{frac|4|3}}
|distance=16}}
{{Sound table
|sound=Bow shoot.ogg
|subtitle=Arrow fired
|source=player
|description=When a bow shoots an arrow
|id=entity.arrow.shoot
|translationkey=subtitles.entity.arrow.shoot
|volume=1.0
|pitch={{frac|4|3}}-1.125 <ref group=sound>Depends on how long the bow has been charging. uncharged bows give {{frac|5|6}}-0.625</ref> 
|distance=16}}
{{Sound table
|sound=Succesfull Hit.ogg
|subtitle=Player hit
|source=player
|description=When an arrow shot by a player hits another player
|id=entity.arrow.hit_player
|translationkey=subtitles.entity.arrow.hit_player
|volume=0.18
|pitch=0.45
|distance=16}}
{{Sound table
|sound=Random break.ogg
|subtitle=Item breaks
|source=player
|description=When a bow's durability is exhausted
|id=entity.item.break
|translationkey=subtitles.entity.item.break
|volume=0.8
|pitch=0.8-1.2
|distance=16
|foot=1}}

{{edition|bedrock}}:
{{Sound table
|type=bedrock
|sound=Arrow hit1.ogg
|sound2=Arrow hit2.ogg
|sound3=Arrow hit3.ogg
|sound4=Arrow hit4.ogg
|source=player
|description=When an arrow impacts something
|id=random.bowhit
|volume=1.0
|pitch=1.09-1.3}}
{{Sound table
|sound=Bow shoot.ogg
|source=player
|description=When a bow shoots an arrow
|id=random.bow
|volume=1.0
|pitch=0.83-1.25}}
{{Sound table
|sound=Random break.ogg
|source=player
|description=When a bow's durability is exhausted
|id=random.break
|volume=1.0
|pitch=0.9
|foot=1}}

==Data values==
===ID===
{{edition|java}}:
{{ID table
|edition=java
|showforms=y
|generatetranslationkeys=y
|displayname=Bow
|spritetype=item
|nameid=bow
|form=item
|foot=1}}

{{edition|bedrock}}:
{{ID table
|edition=bedrock
|shownumericids=y
|showforms=y
|notshowbeitemforms=y
|generatetranslationkeys=y
|displayname=Bow
|spritetype=item
|nameid=bow
|id=300
|form=item
|foot=1}}

==Achievements==

{{load achievements|Sniper Duel;Archer;Dispense with this;Bullseye}}

==Advancements==

{{load advancements|Take Aim;Sniper Duel;Bullseye}}

==Video==

<div style="text-align:center">{{yt|orNlaO12EQg}}</div>

==History==
{{History|java classic}}
{{History||June 14, 2009|link=https://notch.tumblr.com/post/123343045/my-vision-for-survival|[[Notch]] discussed how bows and [[arrow]]s would work in [[Survival]] mode: "Bows and arrows can be made out of wood. To use it, select the bow from your inventory and make sure you’ve got some arrows. Click in front of you, and an arrow goes flying using real physics. To actually HIT something, aim above it."}}
{{History||0.24 SURVIVAL TEST|The [[player]] did not need a bow to shoot arrows. Instead, {{Key|Tab}} was used to fire arrows. However, arrows still had to be collected to shoot. Launching arrows this way was much slower than the bow that now fires them.}}
{{History|java indev}}
{{History||0.31|snap=20100110|[[File:Bow JE1.png|32px]] Added bow texture to [[items.png]].}}
{{History|||snap=20100122|[[File:Bow JE2 BE1.png|32px]] Added bows as item with changed texture. The right mouse button can be held down to fire in rapid succession. Each [[arrow]] deals {{hp|4}} for each hit. They fly in a [[wikipedia:Trajectory of a projectile|ballistic trajectory]] affected by gravity and drag in air or water. They travel approximately 15 [[block]]s when fired parallel to a flat plane. Arrows also have a maximum range of around 52 blocks when fired at a 38 degree angle on a flat plane.
|Bows often fail to interact with objects, but instead shoot. This is due to the fact that shooting arrows is an instantaneous action.
|At this point, bows have no durability, and can essentially be used infinitely.}}
{{History|java alpha}}
{{History||v1.2.6|Interacting with objects (door, chest, etc.) while holding a bow no longer shoots the arrow.}}
{{History|java beta}}
{{History||1.2|Bows are now used to craft [[dispenser]]s.}}
{{History||1.8|snap=July 8, 2011|slink={{tweet|notch|89414265441763328}}|[[Notch]] teased hold-to-charge bows.}}
{{History|||snap=July 13, 2011|slink={{tweet|notch|91250232981061632}}|Notch indicated that along with bow charging, he would add an [[achievement]] based around shooting a [[skeleton]] at 50 meters, eventually to be known as ''Sniper duel''.}}
{{History|||snap=Pre-release|Bow behavior has been overhauled; they now need to be charged to fire.}}
{{History|java}}
{{History||1.0.0|snap=RC1|A fully charged [[arrow]] from a bow now consistently deals {{hp|9}} damage, with a rare chance of dealing {{hp|10}}.
|Bows now have a [[durability]] of 385 uses.
|Bows no longer need arrows for ammo in [[Creative]] mode.
|The bow can now be [[enchanting|enchanted]] via console commands, but no enchantment affects it.}}
{{History||1.1|snap=release|Bows can now be legitimately enchanted. Four enchantments have been added: [[Flame]], [[Punch]], [[Power]] and [[Infinity]].}}
{{History||1.2.1|snap=12w06a|[[Skeleton]]s now have a 2.5% chance of dropping a bow. One fifth of the time, this bow is enchanted with Power I (20%).}}
{{History||1.4.6|snap=12w50a|Bows can now be enchanted with [[Unbreaking]] using an [[anvil]] and an appropriate [[enchanted book]].}}
{{History|||snap=pre|When a [[player]] hits another player from far away with a bow it makes a high pitched "dinging" sound.}}
{{History||1.7.2|snap=13w36a|Bows can now be obtained as a "treasure" [[item]] from [[fishing]].
|Bows can now be [[enchanting|enchanted]] with [[Unbreaking]] directly in an [[enchantment table]] without the use of an [[anvil]].}}
{{History||1.8|snap=14w02a|Fletcher [[villager]]s now [[trading|sell]] 1 bow for 2–3 [[emerald]]s.}}
{{History|||snap=14w30a|Bow placement when drawing back has been slightly changed.}}
{{History||1.9|snap=15w31a|When shooting, the arrows are no longer offset to the right of the Crosshair.
|The bow in the hotbar now shows an [[arrow]] when being drawn.
|Bows can now shoot an additional 14 types of arrows, selected based on the arrow type held in the off-hand or closest to slot 0.
|Bows cannot be used in the off-hand.}}
{{History|||snap=15w37a|The bow can now be used in the off-hand.
|Bows now prioritize the selected hotbar slot for [[arrow]]s if the bow is in the off hand.
|When using the bow in the off-hand, the bow does do the animation, but does not aim at the target.}}
{{History|||snap=?|Momentum now affects the physics of arrows fired from bows.}}
{{History||1.10|snap=16w20a|Bows are now used by [[stray]]s and can now sometimes be obtained as a rare [[drop]].}}
{{History||1.11|snap=16w33a|Bows can now be used to fuel [[furnace]]s.}}
{{History||1.11.1|snap=16w50a|[[Infinity]] and [[Mending]] are now mutually exclusive for bows.}}
{{History||1.12|snap=17w16a|Bows are now used by [[illusioner]]s and can now sometimes be obtained as a rare [[drop]], although unenchanted.}}
{{History||1.13|snap=17w47a|Prior to [[1.13/Flattening|''The Flattening'']], this [[item]]'s numeral ID was 261.}}
{{History||1.13.1|snap=18w30a|{{bug|MC-88356}}: Fixed a bug: When using the bow in the off-hand, the bow does do the animation, but does not aim at the target.}}
{{History||1.14|snap=19w11a|Fletcher [[villager]]s now [[trading|sell]] enchanted bows.}}

{{History|pocket alpha}}
{{History||v0.3.3|[[File:Bow JE2 BE1.png|32px]] Added bows.}}
{{History||v0.4.0|Bows now have a durability of 385 uses.
|Bows also now slow down the player while aiming.}}
{{History||v0.5.0|Bows are now obtainable after activating the [[nether reactor]].}}
{{History||v0.8.0|snap=build 1|[[File:Bow BE2.png|32px]] The texture of bows has been changed.}}
{{History|||snap=build 7|Bows can now be used as fuel in a [[furnace]].}}
{{History||v0.11.0|snap=build 1|Bows can now be obtained as a "treasure" [[item]] from [[fishing]].}}
{{History||v0.12.1|snap=build 1|Fully charged bows now cause [[particle]]s.
|Bows can now be [[enchanting|enchanted]].
|Bows obtained by [[fishing]] can now be caught enchanted.
|Bows are no longer available from the [[nether reactor]].}}
{{History||v0.15.0|snap=build 1|Added [[stray]]s, which are equipped with a bow that can rarely be dropped by them.
|Bows can now shoot an additional 14 types of [[arrow]]s, selected based on the arrow type closest to slot 0.}}
{{History|pocket}}
{{History||1.0.4|snap=alpha 1.0.4.0|Bows can now be obtained by [[trading]] with a fletcher [[villager]].}}
{{History||1.1.0|snap=alpha 1.1.0.0|Added the [[Mending]] enchantment, which can now be applied to bows and is mutually exclusive to the [[Infinity]] enchantment.
|[[Arrow]]s can now be placed in the offhand slot and bows now prioritize the arrows in that slot.}}
{{History|bedrock}}
{{History||?|Momentum now affects the physics of arrows fired from bows.}}
{{History||1.8.0|snap=beta 1.8.0.10|Bows in the hotbar now show an [[arrow]] when being drawn.}}
{{History||1.10.0|snap=beta 1.10.0.3| [[File:Bow JE2 BE1.png|32px]] The texture of bows has been changed to match {{el|je}}'s texture.}}
{{History||1.11.0|snap=beta 1.11.0.4|Fletcher villagers now sell unenchanted bows for 2 emeralds, and enchanted bows for 8 emeralds.}}
{{History||1.16.210|snap=beta 1.16.210.58|Bows in first-person view is now held differently.<ref>{{bug|MCPE-116741}}</ref>}}
{{History||1.17.0|snap=beta 1.17.0.52|Bows are now held like it was before [[Bedrock Edition beta 1.16.210.58|1.16.210.58 beta]].<ref>{{bug|MCPE-116741}}</ref>}}

{{History|console}}
{{History||xbox=TU1|xbone=CU1|ps=1.0|wiiu=Patch 1|switch=1.0.1|[[File:Bow JE2 BE1.png|32px]] Added bows.}}
{{History||xbox=TU5|Bow behavior is overhauled; they now need to be charged to fire.}}
{{History||xbox=TU31|xbone=CU19|ps=1.22|wiiu=Patch 3|Bows can now be obtained by [[trading]] with a fletcher [[villager]].}}
{{History||xbox=TU46|xbone=CU36|ps=1.38|wiiu=Patch 15|Bows can now shoot an additional 14 types of [[arrow]]s, selected based on arrow type held in the off-hand or closest to slot 0.}}
{{History|foot}}

Historical sounds:

{| class="wikitable"
!Sound
!From
!to
!Pitch
|-
|{{sound||Bow Shooting Old.ogg}}
|0.31
|Sound Update
|1.0
|}

==Issues==
{{issue list}}

==Trivia==
* Bows were left unchanged in the [[Texture Update]].<ref>{{bug|MC-168156|||WAI}}</ref>
*Dinnerbone got the idea for the high-pitched "ding" sound from playing on a former PvP server called Project Ares.<ref>{{tweet|Dinnerbone|280044119345229826|Also things I learnt from pvping today: Bows need to ding when you hit people (it's so much fun/rewarding!) & arrows don't render far enough|December 15, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{ytl|-b5aXYacYsk|Minecraft PvP with Dinnerbone & Docm77 - Team DocBone @ 11:52|docm77|December 7, 2013|t=712s}}</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery>
Enchanted Bow.gif|An enchanted bow.
Bow Shooting.gif|Using the bow.
1.9bow.gif|Drawback animation.
Bow SDGP.png|Bow in the [[Super Duper Graphics Pack]].
Hunting Wabbits.jpg|Using a bow to hunt rabbits.
</gallery>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External Links==
*[https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/taking-inventory--bow Taking Inventory: Bow] – Minecraft.net on April 13, 2023

{{items}}

[[Category:Combat]]
[[Category:Renewable resources]]

[[cs:Luk]]
[[de:Bogen]]
[[es:Arco]]
[[fr:Arc]]
[[hu:Íj]]
[[it:Arco]]
[[ja:弓]]
[[ko:활]]
[[nl:Boog]]
[[pl:Łuk]]
[[pt:Arco]]
[[ru:Лук]]
[[uk:Лук]]
[[zh:弓]]
