Mill — what does it mean?
Put the top card(s) of a library into that library's graveyard.
Mill appears on 603 cards.
How does Mill work?
Mill N means: the player puts the top N cards of their library into their graveyard. Depending on the card, you mill yourself or an opponent. The cards go to the graveyard face up, so everyone sees what got milled. Older cards often spell it out as putting the top cards of a library into a graveyard; that's the same thing.
Milling isn't discarding. Discard is about your hand; mill is about your library. Effects that trigger when someone discards a card don't trigger on mill. Effects that refer to a milled card find that card in the graveyard. That's why milling your own library is also a way to set up cards for effects that work from your graveyard.
An empty library doesn't mean you've lost yet. You lose when you have to draw from an empty library. If you're told to mill more cards than you have, you mill everything that's there. If milling is a cost, you can only pay it if you have enough cards.
An example at the table
Your opponent has 3 cards left in their library. You cast a spell that makes them mill 5. They mill all 3 and their library is empty, but they're still alive. The rest of your turn plays out as normal. On their turn they reach their draw step and have to draw from an empty library. That's when they lose the game.
Cards with Mill
Takenuma, Abandoned MireIllustration: Sam Burley
Syr Konrad, the GrimIllustration: Anna Steinbauer
Ripples of UndeathIllustration: Ben Wootten
SixIllustration: Andrew Mar
Tibalt's TrickeryIllustration: Anna PodedwornaCommon mistakes
- Thinking a player loses as soon as their library is empty. That only happens when they have to draw from it.
- Thinking mill is the same as discard. Mill comes from your library, discard from your hand; they trigger different effects.
- Thinking you can mill more cards than you have. You mill what's there, nothing more.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I lose when my library is empty?
- Not right away. You lose when you have to draw a card while your library is empty.
- What happens if I have to mill 10 but only have 4 cards left?
- You mill those 4. Your library is empty, but you don't lose until your next draw.
- Does surveil count as milling?
- No. Surveil and mill are different actions. Effects that trigger when you mill don't trigger on surveil.
- Can I mill my own library?
- Yes, if the card has you or each player mill. That's useful when your deck wants cards in the graveyard.
Official rule: Comprehensive Rules 701.17. More on where this rulebook comes from under Sources.
Often seen with
FlyingTransformReachTrampleDredge
Which cards with Mill do you own? →
Last updated: 26 October 2026