Quick answer
In Java 1.21.6 and later, craft a lead from five string in the shown pattern. The older four-string-plus-slimeball recipe is version-specific and should not be used for the current game.
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Current 3 × 3 recipe
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Put string at top-left, top-middle, middle-left, center and bottom-right. Take the resulting leads from the output. If your world is on an older release, check the in-game recipe book: the center slot was previously a slimeball.
Where to get string
- Spiders can drop string; caves and nighttime are common places to encounter them.
- Cobwebs can yield string when broken with an appropriate tool.
- Cats, striders and other loot sources also exist, but spider drops are the straightforward early-game route.
Useful ways to use leads
- Move a horse or other leadable mob without riding it.
- Tie a mob to a fence to keep it near your base.
- In current releases, lead two eligible mobs together and use the updated leash interactions.
Common questions
Why does an old guide show slimeball?
Minecraft Java 1.21.6 replaced that ingredient with string.
Does this work in every old version?
No. Use the in-game recipe book for the exact version you play.
Sources and review
Reviewed 12 October 2026. Primary reference. Confirm live codes, prices, patch notes and account rules before publication.