How to make smooth sandstone in Minecraft: the modern method
To make smooth sandstone in Minecraft, you must smelt regular Sandstone in a furnace, that is the only working method in current versions of the game. If you’ve seen an old crafting recipe that uses four Sandstone blocks in a 2x2 square, ignore it: that recipe now produces Cut Sandstone, not Smooth Sandstone, in any version from 1.14 onward. Mastering the furnace is equally essential when you make steel in Minecraft for stronger tools and armor.
Step 1: Gather the required materials
You need exactly two things to make smooth sandstone: at least one block of regular Sandstone and any fuel source, such as coal, charcoal, or wood planks. If you don’t already have a furnace, craft one by placing eight cobblestone or blackstone blocks around the perimeter of a crafting table, leaving the center square empty. That gives you a functional furnace in seconds.
Step 2: Obtain regular sandstone
Regular Sandstone is the raw material you’ll smelt, and there are two reliable ways to get it. The first is mining: head to a desert or beach biome, dig down under the sand layer, and use a pickaxe (at least wooden) to break Sandstone blocks, mining without a pickaxe will cause the block to drop nothing. The second method is crafting: place four sand blocks in a 2x2 square in a crafting table, and you’ll get one regular Sandstone block. Either approach works, so pick whichever is faster for your current situation.
Step 3: Smelt the sandstone in a furnace
- Open your furnace interface.
- Place one regular Sandstone block in the top slot (the input slot).
- Place your fuel source, coal, charcoal, wood, or anything else that burns, in the bottom slot.
- Wait for the smelting process to finish; you’ll see flames and progress arrows while it works.
- Collect the one Smooth Sandstone block that appears in the output slot.
That’s the entire process: one Sandstone in, one Smooth Sandstone out. You can repeat this as many times as you have Sandstone and fuel, and it works identically for Smooth Red Sandstone if you use regular Red Sandstone instead.
Step 4: Alternative ways to get smooth sandstone
Smelting isn’t the only route. You can find Smooth Sandstone already generated in the world, desert villages and desert temples often contain it as part of their structures, so exploring those biomes can save you fuel. If you’re playing in Creative Mode, you can also open the item selection screen and search for “smooth sandstone” to grab as many blocks as you want instantly. And don’t forget the red variant: Smooth Red Sandstone follows the same smelting rule, so if you prefer that warmer color, just use Red Sandstone as your input.
Building with smooth sandstone
Once you have your Smooth Sandstone blocks, you’ll notice their clean, polished surface, unlike regular Sandstone, which has a rough, textured pattern. That smooth finish makes it ideal for modern builds, minimalist interiors, or any structure where you want a refined look without visual noise. Use it for walls, floors, pillars, or decorative accents; it pairs well with quartz, glass, and even dark wood for contrast. Whether you’re constructing a sleek desert villa or a subtle pathway, Smooth Sandstone gives your work a crisp, elegant edge that regular sandstone simply can’t match.
