TNT is an explosive block in the game Minecraft, and is available in all versions (Pocket Edtion, PC/Mac, and Console). There are several ways to turn on TNT, both safe and unsafe. You can easily ignite TNT using flint and dry flammable objects, or by constructing an elaborate redstone circuit to remotely detonate it.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Making TNT
Step 1. Find 5 piles of gunpowder
To make one piece of dynamite, you need 5 piles of gunpowder. You can't make gunpowder on the crafting table. You can get it by defeating certain enemies that will drop gunpowder. You can also look for them in certain chests that may have gunpowder in them. Several ways can be done to get gunpowder:
- Defeating creepers (before this creature explodes): 66% (1-2 gunpowder)
- Defeating rock ghosts (ghast): 66% (1-2 gunpowder)
- Defeat magicians: 16% (1-6 gunpowder)
- Opening chests in desert temple: 59% (1-8 gunpowder)
- Unlock chests in dungeon: 58% (1-8 gunpowder)
Step 2. Get 4 blocks of sand
You can use red sand or regular sand. The two materials will give the same result and can be mixed when you make TNT. Usually sand can be found in the following biomes and areas:
- Beach
- desert
- Riverside
- Mesa (red sand)
Step 3. Open the crafting window
Use the crafting table to open the crafting grid.
Step 4. Place the gunpowder in an "X" pattern
Fill each corner of the grid with one gunpowder, then place one gunpowder in the center.
Step 5. Place the sand on the remaining free space
Place the sand blocks in the remaining four squares in the crafting grid. This will generate TNT.
Step 6. Put the TNT into your inventory
Drag the TNT from the crafting grid and add it to your inventory. Now you can place the TNT in the world and blow it up.
Part 2 of 3: Exploding TNT with Fire
Step 1. Ignite the TNT block using chert and steel
This is the easiest way to detonate TNT. If you want to know how to make one, check out How to Make Chert and Steel in Minecraft. Approach TNT with chert and steel to light it. The TNT block will start flashing when powered on.
- Make sure you are in a safe position before the TNT explodes (4 seconds after ignition).
- TNT has an explosive power of up to a radius of about 7 blocks.
Step 2. Ignite the TNT using the fire arrows
If you want to light the TNT in a safer way, use the fire arrows to light it.
- You can enchant arrows with fire on the enchantment table to make the arrows glow. Check out How to Make a Magic Table in Minecraft for instructions on how to make a magic table and use lapis lazuli to conjure objects.
- You can also light arrows by shooting them through lava or fire. So, make a fire in front of the TNT block, then shoot an arrow through the fire to light it up and detonate the TNT.
Step 3. Turn on TNT using fire charge
Make a fire charge by placing charcoal in the center of the craft grid, fire powder to the left, and gunpowder at the bottom. Fire charge is not as efficient as chert and steel because these objects will disappear after being thrown.
- You can ignite TNT by throwing a fire charge at it. You can cast a fire charge by selecting it in your inventory, then using it.
- Placing a fire charge in the dispenser will turn it into a fireball when thrown. This becomes useless to TNT because the fireball will be thrown in a random direction.
Step 4. Blow up the TNT using another TNT explosion
TNT that is within the blast radius of another TNT will also ignite and explode. Unlike TNT that you self-ignite (which explodes after 4 seconds), TNT that is hit by an explosion will explode after 0.5 to 1.5 seconds.
The blast radius generated by other TNTs cannot be ascertained. Therefore, make sure your TNT is placed within the blast range, no more than 3 or 4 blocks away from the TNT that exploded the first time
Step 5. Pour lava or start a fire near the TNT
If lava flows near TNT, the dynamite will explode when it catches fire. This can happen even if the lava does not touch the TNT directly. The same principle will apply if the area around TNT catches fire.
Part 3 of 3: Exploding TNT with a Redstone Circuit
Step 1. Get redstone powder
Redstone powder is used to make redstone circuits and deliver power. To create a basic circuit, you can use a track containing 15 blocks of redstone powder. You will need a redstone repeater if you want to use a longer path.
- Redstone ore can only be found in layers 0 to 15, and most are between layers 4 to 13. You'll need to mine down to the bedrock first, then start looking for redstone layers. Redstone ore can be mined with any type of pickaxe.
- One block of redstone ore can be turned into 9 piles of redstone powder. Usually you will get 4 to 5 redstone blocks for each redstone ore you mine.
- Redstone powder can be found in dungeon chests and chests in forts. Witches can also drop redstone powder when you defeat them. The temple in the forest can breed 15 redstone powder which is used as a trap.
Step 2. Make the switch mechanism
You can use several different mechanisms to trigger a redstone circuit:
- Button - This item is placed on the side of a full block, which will generate redstone power when pressed. Make a stone button by placing a stone block in the center of the crafting grid. Wooden buttons can be made by placing wooden planks of any type in the center grid.
- Levers - Levers are placed on a solid surface, and can be used to turn redstone on and off. Make the lever by placing the stick in the center of the crafting grid and a cobblestone block below it.
- Pressure plate - This is a button that presses automatically when you stand on it. The main difference between the pressure plate and the previous two tools is that monsters can activate the pressure plate so they are very suitable for use as traps. Make a pressure plate by placing a block of stone or wood in the center of the crafting grid and an identical block in the left of the grid.
Step 3. Create a basic circuit
Now that you have the redstone powder and the switch mechanism, it's time to create the basic circuit:
- Place the switch mechanism somewhere easily accessible. This is a remote explosion control. So make sure you can see the explosion.
- Place the redstone powder in a path that leads to where you want the TNT to be placed. The first piece should be placed in a location close to the switch mechanism. You can place redstone powder by looking at a block and right-clicking on the block while carrying the redstone powder. Redstone ore can connect one level above or below it, with a total length of no more than 15 blocks.
Step 4. Place the TNT at the end of the redstone path
This is where the circuit ends, which will activate the TNT block. The TNT box must be on the same level as the end of the track, and directly adjacent to the last block of redstone powder.
Step 5. Activate the circuit
Once the TNT is placed where you want it, you can activate the circuit using the mechanism you have created. When you run a redstone circuit, the TNT will prepare to explode. Four seconds later the TNT will explode.
Step 6. Try making a more complicated circuit
Use redstone torches to build advanced logic gates that can detonate large amounts of TNT remotely at varying intervals. See How to Make a Redstone Lamp in Minecraft for a guide on how to make and use a redstone lamp, which is an integral part of the larger redstone circuit.
Tips
- TNT is perfect for clearing large areas of land when you are digging a mine. However, be careful because there is a possibility that the items you get can be destroyed if you use a pickaxe. You should never use TNT near flammable precious ore beds.
- Protect yourself from being hit by a TNT explosion: If you (or a mob) sit in a mine cart, the TNT explosion will only do minor damage. You can use this to start an explosion from a long distance.
- If you want to retrieve items from a mine, the quickest way to do this is to light a pile of TNT on top of a mountain. After the mountain is blown up, the contents inside will be displayed. This can be a lot of fun if done in the canyon.
- Obsidian, bedrock and molten source blocks are resistant to TNT explosions. This can be used to create a bomb shelter or even a cannon to launch TNT.
- Beds will act like TNT in Nether and End, but NOT in Overworld.
- TNT is a favorite trolling tool for destroying other players' objects.
- Primed TNT (throwing active dynamite) will not clash with other primed TNT.
- TNT is the only explosive made specifically for detonation. It is possible that the explosion will be difficult to control, for example when using a bed to be detonated in the Nether or End, or when you approach a creeper, which can cause it to explode.
- If you detonate TNT in the water, the dynamite will not be able to destroy building blocks or structures. However, the explosion can endanger animate creatures if there are other players or entities within the blast radius.
- If you're playing an older version of Minecraft and want to put TNT in your house, place water on it so the dynamite doesn't explode.
Warning
- Be warned, too much TNT can cause your game to experience latency (lag). The bigger the explosion, the more CPU power is required. This can slow down gameplay in singleplayer or cause massive latency in multiplayer.
- It's best if you walk away when TNT is turned on. Otherwise, you could explode with it.
