Quick Answer
To get iron nuggets in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, hit rocks with a shovel or axe without eating fruit first. Dig holes behind your character to stop knockback and hit each rock repeatedly for more materials.
Before You Start
Use a shovel or axe to hit rocks.
Do not eat fruit before hitting rocks unless you want to break the rock.
Dig holes behind your character to avoid being pushed backward.
Check all rocks on your island every day.
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1
Find a rock on your island
Walk around your island and look for large rocks. Each rock can drop materials such as stone, clay, iron nuggets, or gold nuggets.
Step 2
Stand in the correct position
Stand next to the rock and dig two holes behind you. This keeps your character in place when you hit the rock.
Step 3
Hit the rock repeatedly
Use your shovel or axe to hit the rock as many times as possible. If positioned correctly, you can get multiple material drops from one rock.
Step 4
Visit mystery islands if needed
If you still need more iron nuggets, use a Nook Miles Ticket to visit mystery islands and hit rocks there.
Common Mistakes
Eating fruit before hitting rocks, which can break the rock.
Standing too far away and missing hits.
Not digging holes behind the character to prevent knockback.
Only checking one rock instead of all rocks on the island.
Final Tip
Iron nuggets are important early in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, so make rock hitting part of your daily routine until you have enough materials.
Frequently Asked Questions
You probably ate fruit before hitting it. Fruit gives your character enough strength to break rocks.
Yes. Broken rocks can respawn, but it is better not to break them when farming materials.