How to make Redstone Ore in Minecraft

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

In Minecraft, redstone ore is an item that you can not make with a crafting table or furnace. Instead, you need to find and gather this item in the game.

redstone ore

Let's explore how to add redstone ore to your inventory.

Supported Platforms

Redstone ore is available in the following versions of Minecraft:

PlatformSupported (Version*)
Java Edition (PC/Mac) Java Edition (PC/Mac)Yes
Pocket Edition (PE) Pocket Edition (PE)Yes
Xbox 360 Xbox 360Yes
Xbox One Xbox OneYes
PS3 PS3Yes
PS4 PS4Yes
Wii U Wii UYes
Nintendo Switch Nintendo SwitchYes
Windows 10 Edition Windows 10 EditionYes
Education Edition Education EditionYes

* 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 Redstone Ore in Creative Mode

How to get Redstone Ore in Survival Mode

You can add redstone ore to your inventory in Survival mode by mining redstone ore with a diamond pickaxe, iron pickaxe, or netherite pickaxe that is enchanted with Silk Touch. So, let's get started!

1. Find a Block of Redstone Ore

First, let's explore where to find redstone ore. In Minecraft, redstone ore is easy to find and is found in large deposits. You can usually find iron ore between 10 and 25 blocks below the ground.

redstone ore location

In this example, we are going to dig into a mountain to find redstone ore.

This is what redstone ore looks like:

redstone ore and pickaxe

2. Hold a Diamond, Iron, or Netherite Pickaxe with Silk Touch

To mine for redstone ore, you need to dig up the redstone ore with a diamond pickaxe, iron pickaxe, or netherite pickaxe that has been enchanted with Silk Touch.

Other tools will not dig up the redstone ore and let you add it to your inventory.

In this example, we are going to use a diamond pickaxe with Silk Touch to dig up the redstone ore.

3. Mine the Redstone Ore

The game control to mine the redstone ore depends on the version of Minecraft:

  • For Java Edition (PC/Mac), left click and hold on the block of redstone ore.
  • For Pocket Edition (PE), you tap and hold on the block of redstone ore.
  • For Xbox 360 and Xbox One, press and hold the RT button on the Xbox controller.
  • For PS3 and PS4, press and hold the R2 button on the PS controller.
  • For Wii U, press and hold the ZR button on the gamepad.
  • For Nintendo Switch, press and hold the ZR button on the controller.
  • For Windows 10 Edition, left click and hold on the block of redstone ore.
  • For Education Edition, left click and hold on the block of redstone ore.

redstone ore dropped

You will need to continue to mine until the block breaks and a smaller block of redstone ore finally appears. The redstone ore will float on the ground.

TIP: Normally when you mine redstone ore, you get redstone dust as the drop. However, when you mine the redstone ore using a tool enchanted with Silk Touch, you will get the redstone ore itself as the drop.

4. Pick up the Redstone Ore

Make sure you pick up the redstone ore before it disappears.

redstone ore gathered

Once you pick up the redstone ore, it will appear in your hotbar.

redstone ore

Redstone ore is a very useful item and should be kept in your inventory to be used later.

Item ID and Name

Block States for Redstone Ore

Give Command for Redstone Ore

Things to Make with Redstone Ore

You can use redstone ore to make items in Minecraft such as:

Things to Do with Redstone Ore

Here are some activities that you can do with redstone ore in Minecraft: