TNT
TNT is a craftable explosive block that detonates with a four-second fuse when ignited, blasting a spherical crater and knocking nearby entities away.
Description
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 Edition, TNT cannot destroy blocks underwater at all, and blasts in water leave players unharmed.
Block properties
| Item ID |
minecraft:tnt
|
|---|---|
| /give command |
/give @p minecraft:tnt
|
| Stackable | Yes (64) |
| Best tool | Hand (any) |
| Renewable | Yes |
Java & Bedrock Guide
How to craft and use TNT in Minecraft
-
1
Gather gunpowder and sand
Collect 5 gunpowder from creepers, witches, or ghasts, plus 4 sand blocks from beaches or deserts.
-
2
Craft the TNT block
Arrange the gunpowder and sand in a 3x3 checkerboard pattern on the crafting table to make one TNT.
-
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
Clear the blast area
Move at least 8 blocks away during the 4-second fuse before the explosion breaks blocks and knocks back mobs.
Underwater, TNT still injures entities but does not break blocks, so it cannot be used for underwater mining.
How to craft this block
Used in crafts
- Remote
- Industrial Tnt
- Industrial Tnt
- Minecart with TNT
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, and every destroyed block drops as an item in current versions (Java since 1.14, Bedrock since 1.21.0).
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