How to make a Lightning Rod in Minecraft

This Minecraft tutorial explains how to craft a lightning rod with screenshots and step-by-step instructions.

In Minecraft, the lightning rod is a new item that was introduced in the Caves & Cliffs Update: Part I.

lightning rod

Let's explore how to make a lightning rod.

Supported Platforms

A lightning rod is available in the following versions of Minecraft:

Platform	Supported (Version*)
Java Edition (PC/Mac)	Yes (1.17)
Pocket Edition (PE)	Yes (1.17.0)
Xbox 360	No
Xbox One	Yes (1.17.0)
PS3	No
PS4	Yes (1.17.0)
Wii U	No
Nintendo Switch	Yes (1.17.0)
Windows 10 Edition	Yes (1.17.0)
Education Edition	Yes (1.17.30)

* The version that it was added or removed, if applicable.
NOTE: Pocket Edition (PE), Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch, and Windows 10 Edition are now called Bedrock Edition. We will continue to show them individually for version history.

Where to find a Lightning Rod in Creative Mode

Minecraft Java Edition (PC/Mac)

Here is where you can find a lightning rod in the Creative Inventory menu:

Platform	Version(s)	Creative Menu Location
Java Edition (PC/Mac)	1.17 - 1.19	Redstone
Java Edition (PC/Mac)	1.19.3 - 1.20	Functional Blocks
Java Edition (PC/Mac)	1.19.3 - 1.20	Redstone Blocks

Minecraft Pocket Edition (PE)

Here is where you can find a lightning rod in the Creative Inventory menu:

Platform	Version(s)	Creative Menu Location
Pocket Edition (PE)	1.17.0 - 1.20.0	Items

Minecraft Xbox Editions

Here is where you can find a lightning rod in the Creative Inventory menu:

Platform	Version(s)	Creative Menu Location
Xbox One	1.17.0 - 1.20.0	Items

Minecraft PS Editions

Here is where you can find a lightning rod in the Creative Inventory menu:

Platform	Version(s)	Creative Menu Location
PS4	1.17.0 - 1.20.0	Items

Minecraft Nintendo

Here is where you can find a lightning rod in the Creative Inventory menu:

Platform	Version(s)	Creative Menu Location
Nintendo Switch	1.17.0 - 1.20.0	Items

Minecraft Windows 10 Edition

Here is where you can find a lightning rod in the Creative Inventory menu:

Platform	Version(s)	Creative Menu Location
Windows 10 Edition	1.17.0 - 1.20.0	Items

Minecraft Education Edition

Here is where you can find a lightning rod in the Creative Inventory menu:

Platform	Version(s)	Creative Menu Location
Education Edition	1.17.30	Items

Definitions

Platform is the platform that applies.
Version(s) is the Minecraft version numbers where the item can be found in the menu location listed (we have tested and confirmed this version number).
Creative Menu Location is the location of the item in the Creative Inventory menu.

Required Materials to make a Lightning Rod

In Minecraft, these are the materials you can use to craft a lightning rod:

3 Copper Ingots

How to craft a Lightning Rod in Survival Mode

1. Open the Crafting Menu

First, open your crafting table so that you have the 3x3 crafting grid that looks like this:

3x3 crafting area

2. Add Items to make a Lightning Rod

In the crafting menu, you should see a crafting area that is made up of a 3x3 crafting grid. To make a lightning rod, place 3 copper ingots in the 3x3 crafting grid.

When making a lightning rod, it is important that the copper ingots are placed in the exact pattern as the image below. In the first row, there should be 1 copper ingot in the second box. In the second row, there should be 1 copper ingot in the second box. In the third row, there should be 1 copper ingot in the second box. This is the Minecraft crafting recipe for a lightning rod.

Crafting recipe for lightning rod

Now that you have filled the crafting area with the correct pattern, the lightning rod will appear in the box to the right.

lightning rod

3. Move the Lightning Rod to Inventory

Once you have crafted a lightning rod, you need to move the new item to your inventory.

Completed lightning rod