Jack o'Lantern — Minecraft block

Jack o'Lantern

Jack o'Lantern combines a carved pumpkin and a torch into a waterproof light source emitting full bright — the Halloween classic.

Block ID minecraft:jack_o_lantern
Mod Vanilla
Game versions
1.21

Description

Jack o'Lantern is crafted from one carved pumpkin placed above one torch on the crafting grid, yielding a single block. The carved pumpkin itself comes from shearing a regular pumpkin with shears, which also drops four pumpkin seeds — players who want a stockpile can plant seeds from the same shearing process and replant indefinitely. The result is a glowing orange face mounted on top of any block, casting light at level fifteen — equivalent to glowstone and the strongest torch-equivalent block in vanilla.

Unlike a regular torch, this block is fully waterproof: it can be placed underwater and continues to emit light without going out. Combined with sea pickles, sea lanterns, and glow squids, it forms part of the small set of underwater-compatible illumination. Builders also use it as a decorative Halloween or autumn accent, sometimes carved into Halloween courtyards or pumpkin patches surrounding villages. Unlike a carved pumpkin, a Jack o'Lantern cannot be worn on the head — Java Edition removed wearing in version 1.20 — so the Endermen-quiet trick belongs to the carved pumpkin alone.

Block properties

Item ID minecraft:jack_o_lantern
/give command /give @p minecraft:jack_o_lantern
Stackable Yes (64)
Best tool Axe
Renewable Yes
Hardness 1
Blast resistance 1
Light level 15

Java & Bedrock Guide

How to make and use a Jack o'Lantern in Minecraft

  1. 1

    Carve a pumpkin

    Place a pumpkin and use shears on it to create a carved pumpkin, which also drops four pumpkin seeds.

  2. 2

    Craft the Jack o'Lantern

    Put the carved pumpkin in the top slot and a torch directly below it on the crafting grid to make one Jack o'Lantern.

  3. 3

    Place it as a light source

    Set the Jack o'Lantern on any surface; it emits light level 15, the maximum, and stays lit even when placed underwater.

  4. 4

    Use it to build golems

    Stack the Jack o'Lantern on top of a snow or iron block frame to summon a snow golem or iron golem, just like a carved pumpkin — the Jack o'Lantern must be placed last or the golem will not spawn.

Tip

When placed, a Jack o'Lantern's face points toward the player, so stand on the opposite side of the direction the face should look before setting it down.

How to craft this block

Ingredients: Carved Pumpkin Carved Pumpkin x1 Torch Torch x1
Crafting
Carved Pumpkin
Torch
Jack o'Lantern
1
Jack o'Lantern

Related blocks

Frequently asked questions

How do you craft a Jack o'Lantern?

Place a carved pumpkin in the top slot of the crafting grid and a torch directly below it to make one Jack o'Lantern.

How much light does a Jack o'Lantern give?

A Jack o'Lantern emits light level 15, the maximum in Minecraft, the same as glowstone, sea lanterns, and beacons.

Does a Jack o'Lantern work underwater?

Yes. A Jack o'Lantern can be placed underwater and keeps emitting full light, unlike a normal torch, which cannot be placed in water.

Can you build golems with a Jack o'Lantern?

Yes. A Jack o'Lantern can replace a carved pumpkin to summon both snow golems and iron golems.

Can you wear a Jack o'Lantern on your head?

No. Unlike a carved pumpkin, a Jack o'Lantern cannot be worn in the helmet slot — Java Edition removed wearing in version 1.20 — so the Endermen trick only works with a carved pumpkin.

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