How to Build a Simple Split-Level Igloo in Minecraft

Winter is coming, and what better way to prepare for cooler weather than by making an igloo in Minecraft? This tutorial is for a simple split-level igloo in snowy biomes.

Camisha

November 15, 2024

2–3 minutes

It’s winter in Minecraft, and while spaning into a snowy biome can be a challenge, these simple igloo builds are great starter homes.

Screenshot of a 6x6x6 block cross-shaped hole in the ground in Minecraft. Around the image is a festive winter border, with a banner above that says to dig out a cross.

Start by digging a hole six blocks deep in the shape of a cross. Fill in the bottom floor with stone blocks to create the basement floor.

A screenshot of a partially filled in 6x6x6 cross-shaped hole in the ground in Minecraft. The walls of the hole have been replaced by cobblestone blocks, and the second from the top row of the hole is being filled with cobblestone to make a floor.

Then, replace the dirt walls with stone blocks going up four blocks. Be sure to add lanterns or torches if hostile mob spawns are on. Then, cover the top to create the floor for the first level.

Screenshot of the base of an igloo built in Minecraft. Snow blocks are placed in a "U" pattern around the exterior with ice blocks acting as windows. The front has two doors between two 2x2 squares of snow blocks. Around the image is a festive winter border with a banner that says start on base.

Next start building up the igloo, using blocks of snow. Make a base that is two blocks high leaving space for where the windows and doors will go. Add windows using ice blocks and type of doors. Leave a 4×4 square of space dug out in front of the door to access them.

Screenshot of a partially built igloo in Minecraft. The walls are in the shape of 3x4 squares (with ice blocks in the center for windows) with two blocks stacked on top of each wall.. Around the screenshot is a festive winter border with a banner that says to make walls.

Continue building up with blocks of snow and ice. Create an arch over the doors to protect them from falling snow. The front (door-side) of the igloo should be placed according to the following templates.

Illustrated template of the front entrance section of an igloo built in Minecraft. The template shows two colomns of 2 blocks connected at the top on a diagonal by a row of two blocks, labeled "in front." Beneath that is the illustration of the wall directly behind it, which has two colomns of three blocks connected at the top by a row of four blocks with another row of two blocks above that one, labeled "behind."

In front of the doors place two columns of blocks of snow two high, with a row of the same blocks at the top connected on a diagonal. Behind this should be two columns of three blocks of snow connected at the top with a row of four blocks. Then place a row of two above the first row.

Illustrated template of the back and side walls of the igloo in Minecraft. The walls are constructed by placing two colomns of three blocks stacked with two spaces in between, the lowest blocks are at ground level. The bottom half is connected by a row of four blocks at ground level. On top is a row of two blocks connected to the two colomns on a diagonal.

The two sides and back of the igloo will look fairly simple, with a row of four blocks of snow on the bottom, two columns of three blocks on each side, with a row of two blocks on top connecting on the diagonal. The space in the middle is for windows of ice.

Screenshot of the building stages of the Minecraft Igloo's roof. The first image on top shows the walls being connected by one block of snow on each inner corner of the cross shape. The second image shows a square of snow blocks connecting the top two rows with a 2x2 hollow in the center. The last image is a 2x4 cross pattern closing off the top of the igloo.

Now start connecting the top by first adding a block of snow to each inner corner connecting the blocks on the sides of the windows. Go up a layer add blocks of snow on top of the previous blocks, and connect these with more blocks of snow to the top layers. This will look like a 4×4 square with a 2×2 opening in the center, with 2 blocks sticking out on each side.

Next, fill in the top with a cross made of two 4×2 rectangles of snow blocks (you can add ice to make windows on the roof. You can add blocks of snow around the outer base by the windows to make the igloo look rounder.

Finally, decorate the interior and exterior. Soul lanterns won’t melt the ice and snow, so try using those to light the build. When it snows in game thin slabs of snow will naturally be added to the igloo.