TNT — Minecraft block

TNT

Craftable explosive block that detonates with a four-second fuse when ignited, blasting a spherical crater and knocking nearby entities away.

Block ID minecraft:tnt
Mod Vanilla
Game versions
1.21

Description

TNT is crafted from five gunpowder and four sand in a checkerboard pattern. Once placed, it activates when hit by fire, flint and steel, a flame arrow, a redstone signal, or a nearby explosion. After ignition a four-second countdown begins: the blast destroys blocks in a roughly spherical radius, drops a fraction as items, and knocks entities away with force 4 — equivalent to a charged creeper.

In water the explosion does not damage blocks but still hurts entities, making underwater TNT traps lethal without terrain destruction. Technical players use it in cannons — redstone contraptions that launch explosive projectiles by staging charges in water — and in farms that automate block collection. Large mining operations rely on TNT to quarry wide areas quickly. On Bedrock the same rules apply, though drop rates differ slightly from Java.

Java & Bedrock Guide

How to craft and use TNT in Minecraft

  1. 1

    Gather gunpowder and sand

    Collect 5 gunpowder from creepers, witches, or ghasts, plus 4 sand blocks from beaches or deserts.

  2. 2

    Craft the TNT block

    Arrange the gunpowder and sand in a 3x3 checkerboard pattern on the crafting table to make one TNT.

  3. 3

    Place and ignite it

    Set the TNT down, then ignite it with flint and steel, a redstone signal, fire, or a flaming arrow.

  4. 4

    Clear the blast area

    Move at least 8 blocks away during the 4-second fuse before the explosion breaks blocks and knocks back mobs.

Important

Underwater, TNT still injures entities but does not break blocks, so it cannot be used for underwater mining.

How to craft this block

Ingredients: Gunpowder Gunpowder x5 Sand Sand x4
Crafting
Gunpowder Sand Gunpowder Sand Gunpowder Sand Gunpowder Sand Gunpowder
TNT
1
TNT

Used in crafts

Related blocks

Frequently asked questions

How do you make TNT in Minecraft?

Combine 5 gunpowder and 4 sand in a checkerboard pattern on the crafting table to get one TNT block.

How do you set off TNT?

Ignite it with flint and steel, a fire charge, a flaming arrow, fire, or a redstone signal; it then explodes after a 4-second fuse.

How strong is a TNT explosion?

TNT has explosion power 4, breaking blocks in a roughly spherical radius and knocking nearby entities away.

Does TNT work underwater?

Underwater TNT still damages entities but does not break any blocks, so the terrain stays intact.

Can you mine with TNT?

Yes — TNT mining clears large areas quickly, though only a fraction of the destroyed blocks drop as items.

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