Name tags let you permanently name a mob so it never despawns, which is essential for pets, iron farms, and trading halls. If you are asking which villager trades them, the answer changed: only the Wandering Trader sells name tags now, and Librarians no longer do.
Quick Answer
- Who sells name tags: the Wandering Trader, for 1 emerald each.
- Who used to: Master Librarians sold them for 20 emeralds. That trade was removed in Java 26.1 and in Bedrock 26.10.
- The easier route: you can now craft a name tag from 1 paper and 1 nugget (any nugget).
- Checked against: the Minecraft Wiki for Java 26.3 (Bedrock 26.50).
What Happened to the Librarian Name Tag Trade?
For years, the Master level Librarian was the best renewable source of name tags: 20 emeralds for one tag. Guides that still say this are out of date.
The Minecraft Wiki lists the change in Java snapshot 26.1 snap 11 (“Name tags can no longer be bought from librarian villagers”) and in Bedrock Preview 26.10.25. In the same update, the Wandering Trader gained a name tag trade. Librarians still sell enchanted books, bookshelves, lanterns, glass, clocks, compasses, and red and yellow candles at master level. See our villager jobs guide for the full list.
How to Get a Name Tag From the Wandering Trader
The Wandering Trader offers nine trades in total: two purchase trades, two special trades, and five ordinary trades. The name tag is an ordinary trade.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Price | 1 emerald for 1 name tag |
| Stock | 5 per trader |
| Chance it is offered | 6% (it is one of several ordinary trades) |
| Trade type | Ordinary trade (slots 5-9) |
Because the offer is random, a given trader may not have it. If yours does not, wait for the next one to visit. Traders despawn, and naming one with a name tag does not stop that.
The Easiest Way: Craft It
Since Java 26.1 and Bedrock 26.10, a name tag is a simple shapeless recipe: 1 paper plus 1 nugget. Any nugget works, so iron nuggets are the cheap choice. Paper comes from sugar cane. This beats every other source in this guide, and for the full walkthrough see our easiest way to get a name tag guide.
All Name Tag Sources
| Method | Chance / Cost | Renewable | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crafting | 1 paper + 1 nugget | Yes | Easiest and cheapest |
| Wandering Trader | 1 emerald | Yes | Random offer, 5 in stock |
| Monster room chest | 25.3% | No | Early game |
| Mineshaft chest | 42.3% | No | Highest chest chance listed on the Wiki |
| Fishing | 0.8% per attempt | Yes | Treasure category, open water |
Chest chances are from the Minecraft Wiki name tag page and are per chest.
What to Use Name Tags On
- Iron golems that you want to keep in your iron farm.
- Villagers in a trading hall, so they never get lost or despawn.
- Pets such as wolves, cats, and horses.
- Mobs in a grinder or trap that you want to keep around between runs.
Bottom Line
No villager profession sells name tags anymore. The Wandering Trader sells them for 1 emerald when the offer shows up, but crafting one from paper and a nugget is faster and guaranteed. For villager trades that are still worth your emeralds, see the villager trades guide.
