How to make an Observer in Minecraft

This Minecraft tutorial explains how to craft an observer with screenshots and step-by-step instructions.

In Minecraft, an observer is another important item in your inventory. It is used to detect changes in neighboring blocks.

observer

Let's explore how to make an observer.

Supported Platforms

An observer is available in the following versions of Minecraft:

Platform	Supported (Version*)
Java Edition (PC/Mac)	Yes (1.11)
Pocket Edition (PE)	Yes (0.15.0)
Xbox 360	Yes (TU54)
Xbox One	Yes (CU44)
PS3	Yes (1.51)
PS4	Yes (1.52)
Wii U	Yes (Patch 24)
Nintendo Switch	Yes (1.04)
Windows 10 Edition	Yes (0.15.0)
Education Edition	Yes (1.0)

* 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 an Observer in Creative Mode

Minecraft Java Edition (PC/Mac)

Here is where you can find an observer in the Creative Inventory menu:

Platform	Version(s)	Creative Menu Location
Java Edition (PC/Mac)	1.11 - 1.19	Redstone
Java Edition (PC/Mac)	1.19.3 - 1.20	Redstone Blocks

Minecraft Pocket Edition (PE)

Here is where you can find an observer in the Creative Inventory menu:

Platform	Version(s)	Creative Menu Location
Pocket Edition (PE)	0.15.0 - 1.1.3	Tools
Pocket Edition (PE)	1.2 - 1.20.0	Items

Minecraft Xbox Editions

Here is where you can find an observer in the Creative Inventory menu:

Platform	Version(s)	Creative Menu Location
Xbox 360	TU60 - TU69	Redstone and Transportation
Xbox One	1.2.5 - 1.20.0	Items

Minecraft PS Editions

Here is where you can find an observer in the Creative Inventory menu:

Platform	Version(s)	Creative Menu Location
PS3	1.64 - 1.76	Redstone and Transportation
PS4	1.52 - 1.91	Redstone and Transportation
PS4	1.14.0 - 1.20.0	Items

Minecraft Nintendo

Here is where you can find an observer in the Creative Inventory menu:

Platform	Version(s)	Creative Menu Location
Wii U	Patch 30 - Patch 38	Redstone and Transportation
Nintendo Switch	1.04 - 1.11	Redstone and Transportation
Nintendo Switch	1.5.0 - 1.20.0	Items

Minecraft Windows 10 Edition

Here is where you can find an observer in the Creative Inventory menu:

Platform	Version(s)	Creative Menu Location
Windows 10 Edition	0.15.0 - 1.1.3	Tools
Windows 10 Edition	1.2 - 1.20.0	Items

Minecraft Education Edition

Here is where you can find an observer in the Creative Inventory menu:

Platform	Version(s)	Creative Menu Location
Education Edition	1.0 - 1.0.18	Tools
Education Edition	1.0.21 - 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 an Observer

In Minecraft, these are the materials you can use to craft an observer:

2 Redstone Dust

1 Nether Quartz

6 Cobblestones

How to craft an Observer 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 an Observer

In the crafting menu, you should see a crafting area that is made up of a 3x3 crafting grid. To make an observer, place 6 cobblestones, 2 redstone dust and 1 nether quartz in the 3x3 crafting grid.

When making an observer, it is important that the items are placed in the exact pattern as the image below. In the first row, there should be 3 cobblestones. In the second row, there should be 1 redstone dust in the first box, 1 redstone dust in the second box and 1 nether quartz in the third box. In the third row, there should be 3 cobblestones. This is the Minecraft crafting recipe for an observer.

Crafting recipe for observer

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

observer

3. Move the Observer to Inventory

Once you have crafted an observer, you need to move the new item to your inventory.

Completed observer