Black Dye
Black Dye is the deep-black colorant crafted from an ink sac or a wither rose, used to dye wool, terracotta, banners, beds, and leather armor.
Description
Black Dye colors wool, terracotta, concrete powder, glass, beds, candles, banners, shulker boxes, and leather armor, and it also dyes sheep, wolf collars, and cat collars. Combine one Black Dye with one White Dye to craft two Gray Dye, the easiest renewable route to gray. Builders rely on Black Dye for high-contrast trim, dark roofing, flag patterns, and the sharp silhouette detailing that makes colorful Minecraft builds stand out.
Java & Bedrock Guide
How to craft and use Black Dye in Minecraft
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1
Get an ink sac
Defeat a squid in an ocean or river to collect 1-3 ink sacs, or pick a wither rose left where the Wither has killed a mob.
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2
Craft the dye
Place a single ink sac or one wither rose anywhere in the crafting grid to make one Black Dye; no crafting table is required.
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3
Apply the color
Combine Black Dye with wool, terracotta, a bed, a candle, or leather armor, or use it directly on a sheep, wolf collar, or cat collar.
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4
Make gray dye
Craft one Black Dye with one White Dye to produce two Gray Dye when you need a lighter neutral shade.
Since Java Edition 1.14, an ink sac no longer works as a dye on its own — you must craft it into Black Dye first. Bedrock Edition uses the same recipe.
How to craft this block
Used in crafts
- Painter Black
- Black Shulker Box
- Black Bundle
- Gray Dye
- Black Candle
- Black Bed
- Black Stained Glass Pane
- Black Stained Glass
- Black Concrete Powder
- Black Terracotta
- Black Wool
- Dark Prismarine
Frequently asked questions
How do you make Black Dye in Minecraft?
Place one ink sac or one wither rose anywhere in the crafting grid to make a single Black Dye. Both recipes work in Java and Bedrock Edition.
Where do ink sacs come from?
Ink sacs drop from squid, which spawn in ocean and river biomes. Each squid drops 1-3 ink sacs when defeated.
Can Black Dye be used on leather armor?
Yes. Combine Black Dye with leather armor in the crafting grid in Java Edition, or use a cauldron of dyed water in Bedrock Edition.
How do you turn Black Dye into Gray Dye?
Craft one Black Dye with one White Dye to get two Gray Dye, the quickest renewable way to make a neutral gray.
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