How to make TNT in Minecraft

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

In Minecraft, TNT is one of the many building blocks that you can make. There is more than one way to craft TNT.

TNT

Let's explore how to make TNT.

Supported Platforms

TNT is available in the following versions of Minecraft:

Platform	Supported (Version*)
Java Edition (PC/Mac)	Yes
Pocket Edition (PE)	Yes
Xbox 360	Yes
Xbox One	Yes
PS3	Yes
PS4	Yes
Wii U	Yes
Nintendo Switch	Yes
Windows 10 Edition	Yes
Education Edition	Yes

* 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 TNT in Creative Mode

Minecraft Java Edition (PC/Mac)

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

Platform	Version(s)	Creative Menu Location
Java Edition (PC/Mac)	1.8 - 1.19	Redstone
Java Edition (PC/Mac)	1.19.3 - 1.20	Redstone Blocks
Java Edition (PC/Mac)	1.19.3 - 1.20	Combat

Minecraft Pocket Edition (PE)

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

Platform	Version(s)	Creative Menu Location
Pocket Edition (PE)	0.14.1 - 1.1.3	Tools
Pocket Edition (PE)	1.2 - 1.20.0	Items

Minecraft Xbox Editions

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

Platform	Version(s)	Creative Menu Location
Xbox 360	TU35 - TU69	Redstone and Transportation
Xbox One	CU23 - CU43	Redstone and Transportation
Xbox One	1.2.5 - 1.20.0	Items

Minecraft PS Editions

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

Platform	Version(s)	Creative Menu Location
PS3	1.26 - 1.76	Redstone and Transportation
PS4	1.26 - 1.91	Redstone and Transportation
PS4	1.14.0 - 1.20.0	Items

Minecraft Nintendo

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

Platform	Version(s)	Creative Menu Location
Wii U	Patch 3 - 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 TNT in the Creative Inventory menu:

Platform	Version(s)	Creative Menu Location
Windows 10 Edition	0.14.1 - 1.1.3	Tools
Windows 10 Edition	1.2 - 1.20.0	Items

Minecraft Education Edition

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

Platform	Version(s)	Creative Menu Location
Education Edition	0.14.2 - 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 TNT

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

5 Gunpowder

4 Sand

4 Red Sand

How to craft TNT 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 TNT

In the crafting menu, you should see a crafting area that is made up of a 3x3 crafting grid. To make TNT, you will need to place specific items in the grid. It is important that the items are placed in the exact pattern as our example images. Changing the pattern of boxes that are filled will change the item that is crafted.

There are 2 patterns you can use as a crafting recipe for TNT:

Pattern 1

There should be 5 gunpowder and 4 sand.

Crafting recipe for tnt

Pattern 2

There should be 5 gunpowder and 4 red sand.

Crafting recipe for tnt

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

TNT

3. Move the TNT to Inventory

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

Completed tnt