Beat the Anvil: Java Cost Calculator (No More “Too Expensive!”)
Calculate exact anvil level costs for combining, repairing and renaming in Minecraft Java.
Disclaimer: The Beat the Anvil: Java Cost Calculator is not an official tool by Minecraft – it is created by fans to help Minecraft players & creators. We hope you like it and we do our best to update it regularly.
Beat the Anvil: exact XP costs for combining, repairing & renaming (Java)
The Anvil Cost Calculator (Java) shows the exact XP levels you need for common anvil operations by factoring in prior work penalty (PWP) on both items, renaming and damage surcharges, and all target/sacrifice enchantments. Use it to avoid “Too Expensive!” and plan perfect combine orders.
| 🛠️ Action | 🎯 Target (PWP) | 📘 Sacrifice (PWP) | ➕ Extras | 🧮 Cost parts | ✅ Result (levels) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 📗 Apply book → tool | Iron Shovel (1) | Book (0) | Unbreaking II | PWP T:1 + PWP S:0 + ench:2 | 4 |
| 📗 Apply second book | Diamond Pickaxe (1) | Book (1) | Efficiency IV | PWP T:1 + PWP S:1 + ench:8 | 10 |
| 🧩 Combine two items | Bow (2) | Bow (0) | Merge Power IV | PWP T:3 + PWP S:0 + ench:8 | 11 |
| 🔧 Repair (same material) | Iron Pickaxe (0) | Iron Pickaxe (1) | — | PWP T:0 + PWP S:1 | 1 |
| 🏷️ Rename | Diamond Sword (0) | — | Custom name | rename:1 | 1 |
| 💥 Damaged target surcharge | Netherite Pickaxe (2) | Book (0) | Target damaged | PWP T:3 + dmg:2 + ench:4 | 9 |
| 🔁 Book upgrade path | Book (0) | Book (0) | Efficiency III + III → IV | book fuse cost:3 | 3 |
| 📈 Late-game stack | Pickaxe (3) | Book (2) | Eff V + Unb III + Mending | PWP T:7 + PWP S:3 + ench: (12+3+4) | 29 |
How prior work penalty scales
Java increases PWP with each anvil use on an item: uses 0→1→2→3… add penalties ~0, 1, 3, 7, 15, 31…. High PWP is the main reason combines get expensive.
“Too Expensive!” avoidance
If the total would be ≥40 levels, Java blocks the action. Fuse books first, then apply to a fresh target with low PWP, and avoid needless renames/damage surcharges mid-chain.
Smart combine strategy (overview)
Start with the freshest tool (PWP 0) as your target. Merge identical books together before touching the tool to keep the target’s PWP low. Apply the most expensive enchantments early, then cheaper ones, and rename last. If your target is badly damaged, repair it first to dodge the damage surcharge. This order typically cuts the final cost by several levels and keeps you below the 40-level limit.
Pro strategies for cheaper anvil combines (Java)
Use these quick references to plan combine order, keep prior work penalties low, and stay safely under the 40-level cap. Tables follow the same layout as Part 1 and include concise, realistic examples.
Prior Work Penalty → level impact (illustrative)
| 🧮 Scenario | 🎯 Target (PWP) | 📘 Sacrifice (PWP) | ➕ Extras | Cost parts | Result (levels) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Book → fresh tool | Pickaxe (0) | Book (0) | Unbreaking II | PWP T:0 + PWP S:0 + ench:2 | 2 |
| Book → used tool | Pickaxe (2) | Book (0) | Efficiency IV | PWP T:3 + ench:8 | 11 |
| Item + item merge | Bow (1) | Bow (1) | Power IV merge | PWP T:1 + PWP S:1 + ench:8 | 10 |
| Rename on used item | Sword (3) | — | Rename | PWP T:7 + rename:1 | 8 |
| Damaged target surcharge | Shovel (1) | Book (0) | Target damaged | PWP T:1 + dmg:2 + ench:4 | 7 |
Typical combine orders (keep costs low)
| 🧩 Goal | Recommended order | Why it’s cheaper | Indicative total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eff V + Unb III + Mend | Fuse books → apply Eff → apply Unb → apply Mending → rename | Books fused off-tool, target PWP stays low | ≈ 20–30 lvls |
| Silk Touch tool | Fuse Silk books → apply to fresh tool → add Unb | Expensive enchant first on fresh target | ≈ 8–14 lvls |
| Late-game pick refresh | Repair or new tool → apply fused books → rename last | Avoids damage & rename surcharges mid-chain | ≈ 12–22 lvls |
Only two helpers you need
Boost your anvil efficiency with these resources:
- Tool Durability Calculator 🛠️ – Check exactly how many uses your gear has left.
- Most Downloaded Minecraft Mods 📊 – Discover popular mods that work great with anvils.
Clean combine checklist
- ① Start fresh: craft/repair the target first to keep PWP low.
- ② Fuse off-tool: merge identical books together before applying.
- ③ Expensive first: apply high-tier enchants (e.g., Eff V) before cheaper ones.
- ④ Avoid surcharges: don’t rename or apply while the target is heavily damaged.
- ⑤ Watch the cap: keep each step < 40 levels; split chains if needed.
- ⑥ Finish tidy: apply Mending/rename at the end when PWP is already set.
Max’s winning route
Max crafts a fresh Diamond Pickaxe, fuses Efficiency IV books to V, then adds Unbreaking III and finally Mending. Each step stays under 15 levels, total ≈ low-20s, and he avoids the “Too Expensive!” wall entirely.
FAQ: Anvil Combine & Repair Costs
What is the Prior Work Penalty (PWP)?How can I avoid the “Too Expensive!” warning?Does the target/damaged item surcharge matter?Why fuse books before applying?Can renaming affect XP cost?Do enchantments have different XP weights?