How to Use the Elytra in Minecraft

This Minecraft tutorial explains how to put on and use the elytra with screenshots and step-by-step instructions.

In Minecraft, you use the elytra to glide through the air so it appears as if you are flying. Let's explore how to use the elytra.

Background

Once you have been to the End City and found the elytra, you can wear it to glide around quickly in the game.

Required Materials

In Minecraft, these are the required materials to use the elytra:

1 Elytra

Open your Inventory

Before you can glide, you must put on the elytra, so start by opening your inventory. The game control to open your inventory depends on the version of Minecraft:

For PC/Mac, press the E key to open the inventory menu.
For Pocket Edition (PE), you tap the triple dotted button on the right of the hotbar to open the inventory menu.
For PS3 and PS4, press the Triangle button on the PS controller to open the inventory menu.
For Xbox 360 and Xbox One, press the Y button on the Xbox controller to open the inventory menu.
For Windows 10 Edition, press the Ekey to open the inventory menu.
For Wii U, press the X button on the gamepad to open the inventory menu.
For Education Edition, press the E key to open the inventory menu.

The instructions that explain how to put on the elytra varies slightly depending on your game mode - Survival versus Creative. Let's explore both ways to put on the elytra.

Put on Elytra in Survival Mode

If you are playing in Survival mode and have your inventory open, you will see a picture of your character with boxes that allow you to change the armor that you are wearing.

Move the elytra from your inventory to the chestplate box to the left of your character (second box from the top).

After you move the elytra, you will see your character's appearance change and it will appear as if your character is wearing a cape.

Now you are wearing the elytra in Survival mode.

Put on Elytra in Creative Mode

If you are playing in Creative mode, the elytra is really not necessary to wear since you can already fly. But it is still fun to put it on.

If you have your inventory open in Creative mode, it is a bit tougher to find your armor menu.

To display the armor that you are wearing, select the Survival Inventory option in the bottom right of the inventory menu (see circled option below) for PC/Mac. For PE, tap the Armor tab.

PC/Mac

Pocket Edition (PE)

You will see a picture of your character with boxes that allow you to change the armor that you are wearing.

Move the elytra from your inventory to the chestplate box on the left side of your character.

You will see your character's appearance change as the elytra is worn.

Now you are wearing the elytra in Creative mode.

How to Glide with the Elytra

You don't really fly with the elytra but rather glide through the air at a very fast speed.

Because you are gliding, you need to find somewhere high to start. In this example, we will go to the top of a mountain.

TIP: We have changed our camera view to show you what it looks like to use the elytra.

Next, run off the side of the mountain. The game control to open the elytra wings depends on the version of Minecraft:

For PC/Mac, press the SPACE to open the elytra wings so that you start to glide.
For Pocket Edition (PE), tap once on the Jump button.
For PS3 and PS4, press the X button on the PS controller.
For Xbox 360 and Xbox One, press the A button on the Xbox controller.
For Windows 10 Edition, press the SPACE to open the elytra wings.
For Wii U, press the A button on the gamepad.
For Education Edition, press the SPACEto open the elytra wings.

TIP: If you walk too slowly off the mountain, you may tumble down and fall before the elytra opens. It is safest to run off the mountain by pressing the run button. Also, with this extra speed, you will glide farther.