Redstone Components in Minecraft: A Complete Guide

Sep. 22, 2022

Over the years, redstone has become one of the most daunting topics for all the players of Minecraft. But not anymore. We are here with a complete guide, explaining all the redstone components, what they do, and how to make them in Minecraft. But it’s a long road to explore, so let’s dive right in!

1. Redstone Dust

As you might already know, Redstone machines and circuits are all about connecting components to a power source. And there’s no better way to connect circuits than a wire. That’s where the Redstone dust comes in. Thisblock works like a wirein Minecraft and transports power from one place to another. Without any connected components, the Redstone dust is essentially useless.

Though, you can use Redstone dust as a crafting ingredient for a variety of other components. But toobtain the Redstone dust, you have to mine the Redstone ore, which spawns underground in the Overworld.

If you have plenty of Redstone dust, you can combine it using acrafting tableto make a Redstone block. This block is a redstone power source, which will provideall adjacent redstone components maximim power. It is also used as storage option to store Redstone dust.

Redstone torchis a common redstone component that works similarly to a redstone block, it providesmaximum redstone signal to the block above it. If the block it’s attached to gets powered, the redstone torch will turn off. You can place it on the side as well as on top of blocks. It’s crafted with a stick and redstone dust.

Lever is another power source block, but unlike the previous ones mentioned, it can beturned on and off easily just by right-clicking. This allows you to only trigger the farm or machine when you need it. You can place it on any side of a block and it then provides redstone signal 15 to that block. Also, it’s crafted with one cobblestone and a stick.

Button is also a redstone power source and is most of the time turned off. Once you right-click it, it’lltrigger and power the block it’s attached toshortly. The time it stays powered depends on the material it’s made of. The wooden button stays on for a little longer than the stone button. You may craft a button with a plank or with a stone block.

Pressure plates are Redstone components that also trigger an action. They detectthe weight of the entity that stands on themand sends out a Redstone signal. In Minecraft, other than the regular pressure plates, you also find weighted pressure plates that are used to measure the number of mobs on top. With the right setup, it can act as a reliable component inMinecraft mob farms. Pressure plates are crafted with two stone blocks, planks, iron or gold ingots.

Usually, Redstone signals get transferred from one component to another and that’s it for the transmission. ButRedstone repeaterstake this equation to another level. You can use them torepeat, delay, and even lock Redstone signalswhile they’re being transmitted. This block requires three stone blocks, two redstone torches and one redstone dust to be crafted.

TheRedstone comparatoris another component block that can interact with Redstone signals. It canhold, compare, and subtract the strength of Redstone signals. Though, most players use this component for testing the state of specific blocks. The comparator can also check how full the container block behind it is. It’s crafted with three redstone torches, one quartz and three stone blocks.

Dropperis another Redstone component block that can throw items. When activated, thedropper ejects items, and they drop as pickable Minecraft items. However, the items don’t get activated or used when thrown out of a dropper. This block’s crafting recipe requires seven cobblestone and one redstone dust.

Dispenseris a special Redstone component thatuses and throws the itemsplaced inside it. When activated, a dispenser can end up throwing a lit TNT, using abucket, firingarrows, using spawn eggs, and more. Without the dispenser, farms like theMinecraft bee farmwouldn’t even be possible. Its recipe includes same resources for the dropper with an addition of a bow of any durability.

Hopperis a container block that canpull items from one container and funnel them into another containerit’s attached to. Hoppers can also interact with other hoppers. It’s very useful in automating storage rooms and farms. Once it’s powered by a redstone signal, it’ll become locked, which means it’s unable to receive nor transfer items. It’s crafted with one chest and five iron ingots.

Anobserveris an actionable Minecraft component block. Itnotices the changes in the block or fluid right in frontand sends out a Redstone signal based on that. Even though it works differently on theMinecraft Bedrock and Java editions, it’s still one of the most powerful blocks on both. You can’t even imagine automating farms like theMinecraft sugar cane farmwithout an observer. It’s crafted with six cobblestone, two redstone dust and one quartz.

A note block is a simple component block that can be activated by players as well as Redstone signals. Each time the note block is activated, it makes thesound of a single musical note.

This sound changes based on the block beneath the note block, which is a cool mechanic. Because of that, you can create a whole collection of unique sounds by pairing random blocks with note blocks. Also, the note block is essential to attractAllaysand collect items easily. It’s crafted with one redstone dust and eight planks.

Most blocks don’t affect other blocks in-game butpistons in Minecraftare different in that aspect. They are a Redstone block thatpushes mobs, players, and blocksthat are right in front of it. Once their Redstone signal is removed, they pull their arm back, but the pushed block stays in its new position.

Not only that, but they also break certain blocks and allow for automation, just like it is the case ofpumpkin farms. You may make one piston with three planks, four cobblestone, one iron ingot and one redstone dust.

Thesticky piston in Minecraftis a variant of regular piston blocks. When activated, they also push the blocks, mobs, and players that are right in front of them. But unlike a regular piston, they stick themselves to the block that’s next to them. So, when the Redstone signal is withdrawn,they pull the pushed block backto its original position. Sticky piston is crafted with a piston and one slime ball.

Minecraft has a variety oflight blockswithin the game, ranging fromfroglighttobeacon in Minecraft. One of them is theRedstone lamp. It’s in the group of thebrightest light blocksin the game but only gets activated by a Redstone signal. When powered, it is the perfect block to fit into yourMinecraft house, especially if it’s underground. You can craft this lamp with four redstone dust and one glowstone.

Another incredible light source block and a redstone component is thecopper bulb. It is very unique, as it emits light based on the oxidation stage it’s at. Also, once it’s powered, thisblock will stay lit until it’s been powered again, unlike the redstone lamp. You may craft it with threecopper blocks, one redstone dust and one blaze rod.

Crafteris theMinecraft 1.21‘s revolutionary feature that canautomatically craft items that is has required resources for in correct order. Once it’s powered, it’ll attempt to craft an item, which it’ll then spit out through the front side. You can therefore rotate it in all different positions.

Furthermore, you canuse the crafterto condense certain items automatically, craft a lot of items that you don’t want to or add the crafter to farms to make them even better. Due to its power, crafter is expensive to make, requiring one dropper, one crafting table, two redstone dust and five iron ingots.

TheSculk sensorbelongs to the family ofSculk blocksintroduced with theMinecraft 1.19update. They only spawn in theAncient cities of Minecraftand can’t be crafted. Sculk sensors have to be mined with asilk touch pickaxefor you to pick it up.

The Sculk sensorcan detect any and all in-game vibrationsthat happen around it. Whenever the sensor detects a vibration, it sends out a Redstone signal. So, it also doubles down as a Redstone activator component.

One of the more annoying parts of the sculk sensor is that it detects all vibrations. That’s where thecalibrated sculk sensorcomes into play. If there is a specific redstone signal attached to its back side, it’llonly detect vibrations outputting that redstone signal.

For example, if there is a redstone block attached to calibrated sculk sensor’s input side, it’ll only detect actions that produce the maximum redstone signal, such as an explosion or player/mob death. You can craft this useful and complex block with a sculk sensor and threeamethyst shards.

Railsare blocks that minecarts can travel on top of. If the rail is curved, it can be affected by redstone signal, so that itswitches from being connected to one rail track to being connected to the other. This can be useful in case your transporting mobs or making a roller-coaster ride. Rails are crafted with six iron ingots and one stick.

Thepowered rail in Minecraftis another type of rail that acts as a Redstone component for minecarts. When activated, itgives a power boost to the minecartthat passes over it.

But while it is inactive, the powered rail acts as a break and immediately stops the minecart that moves over it. So, in a way, it’s the perfect rail block to control the movement of a minecart. This rail is crafted with six gold ingots, one stick and one redstone dust.

Detector railgets powered when a minecart passes over it. It can be an empty minecart or with a mob or player inside. It sends out a redstone signal of 15. This rail type is crafted with six iron ingots, one stone pressure plate and one redstone dust.

On the surface, the activator rail appears to be similar to a powered rail. But instead of giving a power boost, the activator rail performsdifferent “activation” actionswith different types of minecarts. For example, if there is a mob in the cart, the activator rail ejects it out. But if it’s a hopper minecart, the activator rail locks it and prevents it from picking up any items. This rail is crafted with two sticks, six iron ingots and one redstone torch.

Minecartsare redstone component entities that caninteract with redstonethrough different already-mentioned rails. There are five different minecart types including regular minecart, hopper minecart, chest minecart, furnace minecart and TNT minecart.

The daylight detector depends upon light to send out Redstone signals. It is usually placed in an open area todetect the presence or absence of sunlight. But it can also detect other bright light sources. Depending upon its setting, the daylight detector can send out a Redstone signal whenever the condition of the light right above it changes. You’ll need threeglass blocks, three wooden slabs and three quartz to make one daylight detector.

The target blocks in Minecraft are an activator Redstone component. They send out a temporary Redstone signal every time they arehit with a projectile. Since most other Redstone components require you to be next to them for activation, the projectile makes it possible to activate circuits from a distance.

This block pairs perfectly with thewind chargeprojectile, whose trajectory doesn’t bend and travels in a straight line. Also, target block redirects redstone dust towards it, making it very convenient in many redstone circuits. One target block requires four redstone dust and one hay bale to be crafted.

Chiseled bookshelfblock is a unique redstone component that outputs asignal strength 1-6 depending on thelast slot player interacted with. The slot numbers move from top left to bottom right. This can be detected with the help of a redstone comparator. If you haven’t interacted with it yet, then its redstone signal will be 0.

Not only that, but this fancy bookshelf can interact with hoppers and droppers too. You can even use it tomake a cool secret doorof your super secret base. This block is crafted with six wooden planks and three wooden slabs.

Lecternis, believe it or not, one of the most convenient redstone power sources you can use. You can place a book and quill on the lectern and it’ll output a redstone signal strength equal to thepage number the book is at, up to 15. This is also detected with a comparator. Just like that, you can super easily set up your calibrated sculk sensor or crafter with a lectern and a book. Lectern can be crafted with four wooden slabs and onebookshelf.

Jukeboxis a strange redstone component and also rather simple. When amusic disc is playingin a jukebox, this block emits signal strength of 15. This can be used to lock the hopper below until the song is done, after which the music disc will be sucked into the hopper and can be replayed with the help of droppers. The jukebox recipe requires eight planks and one diamond.

Decorated potsare mostly decorative blocks, but they also have amazingredstone properties. For starters, you can place items in it and it willoutput a redstone signal depending on how full it is. This is detected by a comparator. Decorated pots also interact with hoppers, droppers and sculk sensors, and can be broken by pistons. You can make one of these pots with four brick items or by usingpottery sherds.

Composterstarts filling up when you use some plant-like items on it. Depending on its compost level, it’ll output a different redstone signal.Full composter emits redstone signal strength 8and this is detected by a comparator. You can make a composter with seven wooden slabs.

Cauldronis another strange and random redstone components that outputs a signal depending on how full it is. Every level of water adds one to the total count, so the completely filledcauldron emits signal strength 3. You canuse the cauldronin so many ways and make it with seven iron ingots.

A tripwire hook is a unique Redstone activator component. It consists of astringattached to a hook. Whenever a mob, player, item, or other entitytouches the string, it gets activated and sends a Redstone signal. The thing that is used in the tripwire hook is easy to see in most circumstances, making it the perfect element for hidden traps and circuits. This item is crafted with one iron ingot, one stick and one plank.

Trapped chestswork and appear in almost the same way as a regularchest. You can place these chests in different spots and even store items in them. But when the chest is opened, it’lloutput a redstone signal equal to thenumber of players accessing the contents, up to 15.

So, this block is a perfect prank block, as it can trigger a TNT trap when a players wants to view its contents. This chest requires a regular chest and a tripwire hook to be crafted.

Lightning rod is a block that attracts thunder and doesn’t let it hit random mobs and blocks. It can also be used as a redstone component, as it outputs a redstonesignal strength of 15 once it’s beenhit by thunder. This of course means that thundering is necessary, but it’s also pretty dangerous as hostile mobs and even a skeleton horse trap can spawn. It is crafted with three copper ingots.

TNTis an explosive Minecraft block that destroys blocks and damages entities around it when activated. Players can manually activate it using items like a fire charge and flint and steel. But, they can beactivated by receiving a Redstone signal, which can even be the smallest signal. Without this mechanic, thetree farm in Minecraftwouldn’t even be possible. To make TNT, you need five gunpowder and four sand blocks.

Wooden doors, trapdoors, and fence gates can be manually opened by the players, but they can also gettriggered by Redstone signalsin the game. You simply have to place them next to a Redstone component. Whenever that component receives a trigger, the attached door, fence gate, or trapdoor will open. Then, when the signal is removed, the door, fence gate, or trapdoor will get closed.

Iron doors and iron trapdoorscan only be opened using Redstone signals.Players can’t open them manually with their hands. They are perfect to keephostile mobs of Minecraftaway from your base, as only players can operate Redstone components, with the exception of theBreezeand its wind charge attack.

Bell is a block you can find in villages or buy from the “smith” villagers including weaponsmiths, armorers and toolsmiths. Once a bell receives redstone power, itstarts ringing.

And we’ve reached the last redstone component on our list and it’s a weird one. Yes, the Dragon head is a redstone component. How, you might be asking? Well, when this block is powered, it will start playing animation ofits mouth opening and closing. You can only get it from the front ofEnd Cityships in the End.

With that, you now know the most important facts related to all the Redstone components in Minecraft. Whether they are made out of Redstone or get triggered by it, you can use our guide to use them freely to fit your creative endeavors. And in case you are wondering about their use case, our list ofbest Minecraft farmscan give you a variety of ideas.

Having said that, which is the most interesting Redstone component, according to you? Tell us in the comments below!

You could say yes, redstone is like coding. It allows you to solve problems and find solutions which can make your creative ideas possible. Some redstone components are more complex than others and provide various opportunities.

Redstone and its components are so useful that you cannot play the game without them. You can make efficient farms that make and collect resources, mess with your friends in the most silly ways and even make your big projects easier to accomplish. Redstone is just as important as any other core feature of Minecraft, like building and exploring.

How easy redstone is to learn depends on you can your logic. Some players understand redstone quickly and therefore don’t have any troubles learning it, but some other players struggle more, as they cannot comprehend the logic behind some components.In general, redstone is not too difficult to learn if you just want to understand some simple farms and machines. But, if you’re interested in making crazy complicated contraptions, then yes, redstone components are pretty difficult to learn at that stage.