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Template:BlockTileEntity A dispenser is a solid block used as a redstone component to dispense items.

Obtaining

A dispenser can be mined using any pickaxe. If mined without a pickaxe, it will drop nothing.

Block Dispenser
Hardness 3.5
Tool
Breaking time[A]
Default 17.5
Wooden 2.65
Stone 1.35
Iron 0.9
Diamond 0.7
Netherite 0.6
Golden 0.45
  1. Times are for unenchanted tools as wielded by players with no status effects, measured in seconds. For more information, see Breaking § Speed.

Crafting

Ingredients Crafting recipe Description
Cobblestone +
Bow +
Redstone

The bow must be undamaged.
Enchantments on the bow do not affect the resulting dispenser.

Natural generation

Two dispensers are naturally generated in every jungle temple.

Usage

A dispenser can be used as a container and as a redstone component which dispenses items when activated, with results varying on the item dispensed.

To place a dispenser, use it while pointing at a surface adjacent to the space it should occupy. A dispenser can be placed so that its output faces in any direction, including up or down. When placed, a dispenser will face towards the player placing it.

A dispenser can be moved by pistons, and water and lava will flow around a dispenser.

Container

Trap

The dispenser GUI.

A dispenser has 9 slots of inventory space.

To open the dispenser GUI, use the Use Item control. To move items between the dispenser inventory and the player inventory or hotbar while the dispenser GUI is open, drag or shift-click the items. To exit the dispenser GUI, use the Esc control.

By default, the GUI of a dispenser is labeled "Dispenser". A dispenser's GUI label can be changed by naming the dispenser in an anvil before placing it, or by using the blockdata command. For example, to label a dispenser at (0,64,0) "Alice's Dispenser", use blockdata 0 64 0 {CustomName:"Alice's Dispenser"}.

A dispenser can be "locked" by setting the dispenser's Lock tag. If a dispenser's Lock tag is not blank, the dispenser cannot be accessed except by players holding an item with the same name as the Lock tag's text. A dispenser's Lock tag can be set or unset with the blockdata command. For example, to lock a dispenser at (0,64,0) so that only players holding an item named "Alice's Key" can access the dispenser, use blockdata 0 64 0 {Lock:"Alice's Key"}.

Redstone component

See also: Redstone circuit

A dispenser can be used to randomly dispense its contents.

Activation
A dispenser is a redstone mechanism and can be activated by:
  • an adjacent active power component: for example, a redstone torch (except that a redstone torch will not activate a dispenser it is attached to), a block of redstone, a daylight sensor, etc.
  • an adjacent powered opaque block (for example, a block with an active redstone torch under it)
  • a powered redstone repeater or redstone comparator facing the dispenser
  • powered redstone dust configured to point at the dispenser, or on top of it, or a directionless "dot" next to it; a dispenser is not activated by adjacent powered redstone dust which is configured to point in another direction.
Some of these methods can activate a dispenser (in the sense of triggering an action) without actually powering the dispenser (in the sense of whether the dispenser will power adjacent redstone dust, etc.).
In addition to the methods above, a dispenser can also be activated by quasi-connectivity. A dispenser will be activated if one of the methods above would activate a mechanism component in the block above the dispenser, even if there is no mechanism component there (even if the block above the dispenser is air or a transparent block), but only when the dispenser receives a block update (including a redstone update within two blocks of the dispenser).
A dispenser will not activate if it has been less than 1 redstone tick (2 game ticks, or 0.1 seconds barring lag) since its last activation ended.
Behavior
When activated, a dispenser waits 2 redstone ticks (4 game ticks, or 0.2 seconds barring lag) and then ejects one item. The dispenser does not continue to eject items while activated -- ejection occurs only on the initial activation (the rising edge of an input signal). To eject multiple items, repeatedly activate the dispenser with a clock circuit.
If multiple slots are occupied by items, a random occupied slot will be chosen for ejection. The slot is chosen when an item is ejected, not when the dispenser is initially activated, thus it is possible to move items into or out of a dispenser between its activation and item dispensing.
The effects of being activated vary with the type of ejected item. Most items will simply be thrown in the direction the dispenser is facing, as if a player had used the Drop Item control. (Unlike a dropper, a dispenser can't feed another container.) Other items will behave differently when dispensed:
Dispenser Behavior
Item Effect
Armor
Shield
Equips on a player or armor stand within the block the dispenser is facing with empty appropriate armor slot (any armor, made from any material).
Arrow
Spectral Arrow
Tipped Arrow
Fired in the direction the dispenser is facing.
Boat Placed as entity (i.e., a right-clickable vehicle) in the block the dispenser is facing, if the dispenser is facing water or an empty block above water — otherwise dropped.
Bone Meal Uses bone meal (as fertilizer) on the block the dispenser is facing, if possible. If the block faced does not react to bonemeal, no bone meal is used.
Bottle o' Enchanting
Egg
Snowball
Splash Potion
Lingering Potion
Thrown in the direction the dispenser is facing, as if the player had right-clicked the item in their inventory. Splash potions and lingering potions are fired farther.
Bucket Collects lava or water source block the dispenser is facing, adding the newly filled bucket to an empty slot in the dispenser's inventory. If there isn't room in the dispenser for the newly-filled bucket (i.e. the empty bucket was part of a stack and all other slots in the dispenser are also full), drops the filled bucket. If no source block is in front of the dispenser, drops an empty bucket.
Fire Charge Launches fireball (as if produced by a blaze) in the direction the dispenser is facing. When a dispensed fireball hits a mob (including a player) or a block, the mob or block will be set on fire. When a dispensed fireball hits a boat or minecart, the vehicle will be destroyed and drop itself as an item.
Firework Rocket Placed in front of the dispenser and launched upwards.
Flint and Steel If the dispenser is facing an air block, place fire in the air block and reduce durability of the flint and steel. If the dispenser is facing TNT, ignite the TNT. Otherwise, do nothing.
Lava Bucket
Water Bucket
Places lava or water in the block the dispenser is facing (replacing the lava or water bucket in the dispenser with an empty bucket), if the block the dispenser is facing is one that the player could use a lava or water bucket on (e.g., air, flowers, grass, etc. — doesn't work with a cauldron) — otherwise dropped. Water dispensed in The Nether will disappear instantly, leaving only the empty bucket in the dispenser.
Minecart
Minecart with Chest
Minecart with Command Block
Minecart with Furnace
Minecart with Hopper
Minecart with TNT
Placed as entity (i.e., a right-clickable vehicle) in the block the dispenser is facing, if the dispenser is facing a type of rails — otherwise dropped.
Mob Head
Pumpkin
Placed as blocks. If placement completes the construction of an iron golem, snow golem, or wither, the entity will be created as if constructed by a player. Equips on a player, mob or armor stand with an empty helmet slot, within the block the dispenser is facing.
Spawn Egg Summons a mob in front of the dispenser.
TNT Places and ignites TNT in the block the dispenser is facing, with a small velocity in a random direction.
Others Dropped: Ejected towards the block the dispenser is facing, as if a player had used the Drop Item control.
When a dispenser dispenses an item, it emits a clicking sound (unless the item is a projectile or a spawn egg) and a smoke particle. If it is empty when activated, it emits a slightly higher-pitched click. The noise of a dispenser can be heard up to 16 blocks away.
A dispenser is a full solid opaque block, so powering it directly can cause adjacent mechanism components (including other dispensers) to activate as well.

Data values

Every dispenser has the ID name minecraft:dispenser, and is further defined by its block data and block entity. A dispenser also has a block state which is expected to replace the functionality of block data in a future version.

Block data

See also: Data values

A dispenser uses its block data field to store its orientation and activation status:

Bits Values
0x1
0x2
0x4

Three bits storing a value from 0 to 5:

  • 0: Dispenser facing down
  • 1: Dispenser facing up
  • 2: Dispenser facing north
  • 3: Dispenser facing south
  • 4: Dispenser facing west
  • 5: Dispenser facing east
0x8 If set, the dispenser is activated.

Block entity

A dispenser has a block entity associated with it that holds additional data about the block. The block's block entity ID is Trap.

  • Block entity data
    • Tags common to all block entities
    •  CustomName: Optional. The name of this container in JSON text component, which appears in its GUI where the default name ordinarily appears.
    •  Items: List of items in this container.
      • : An item, including the slot tag. Dispenser slots are numbered 0-8 with 0 in the top left corner.
        • Tags common to all items
    •  Lock: Optional. When not blank, prevents the container from being opened unless the opener is holding an item whose name matches this string.
    •  LootTable: Optional. Loot table to be used to fill the dispenser when it is next opened, or the items are otherwise interacted with.[note 1]
    •  LootTableSeed: Optional. Seed for generating the loot table. 0 or omitted causes a random seed to be used.[note 1]
  1. a b Both loot table tags are removed once the items have been generated.

Block state

See also: Block states


Java Edition:

Name Default value Allowed values Description
facingnorthdown
east
north
south
up
west
The direction in which contents are shot or dropped.
The opposite from the direction the player faces while placing the block.
triggeredfalsefalse
true
True if this block is activated.

Bedrock Edition:

NameMetadata Bits Default value Allowed valuesValues for
Metadata Bits
Description
facing_direction0x1
0x2
0x4
00
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
The direction in which contents are shot or dropped.
  • 0: facing down
  • 1: facing up
  • 2: facing north
  • 3: facing south
  • 4: facing west
  • 5: facing east
triggered_bit0x8falsefalse
true
0
1
True if this block is activated.

Video

Dispenser/video

Achievements

Icon Achievement In-game description Actual requirements (if different) Gamerscore earned Trophy type (PS4)
PS4 Other
Dispense with ThisConstruct a Dispenser.20GBronze

History

beta
1.2File:Dispenser-Pre 12w04a.png Introduced dispensers.
release
1.2.112w03aThey are now able to spawn mobs from a spawn egg.
12w04aDispenser The dispenser's texture was changed.
1.3.112w15aDispensers were given the ability to place boats and Minecarts.
12w21aDispensers were given the ability to shoot the liquids inside water and lava buckets. They could also suck up the liquids if activated again, filling up the buckets with the liquid dropped.
12w22aDispensers can naturally generate within jungle temples and are filled with a random amount of arrows that will shoot the player should they touch the tripwire connected to it or destroy it without shears
January 18, 2013Dinnerbone has stated that dispensers will have more features in future, so players should stick to using droppers to dispense items.
1.513w04aDispensers can now face all 6 directions.
Dispensers were given the ability to use many new items. These include TNT, bone meal, flint and steel and equip armor.
13w10bPowered dispensers now do not fire if they receive a redstone update.
1.814w04aDispensers can be used to place the pumpkin to activate iron golems, snow golems and the wither skeleton skull to activate the wither.
14w07aDispensers now place command blocks instead of shooting it out.
1.8.6Dispensers no longer place command blocks, as it constituted a vulnerability.[1]
1.915w33aDispensers shoot splash potions and lingering potions much farther than before.
15w33cDispensers shoot fire charges as ender dragon fireballs, instead of as blaze fireballs.
15w39cDispensers now equip mob heads and pumpkins.
15w44bDispensers once again shoot fire charges as blaze fireballs.
1.9.1pre1Dispensers now can use loot tables, and those in generated in jungle temples now use loot tables.
1.1016w21aCan now equip shields, like armor.
Pocket Edition Alpha
0.14.0build 1Added dispensers.
Legacy Console Edition
TU1Patch 1File:Dispenser-Pre 12w04a.png Added dispensers.
TU3Dispenser Dispensers use the 1.2.1 (12w04a) texture.
TU5Added quick move to the dispenser.
TU9Dispensers are now able to spawn mobs from a spawn egg.
They were given the ability to shoot out the liquids inside water and lava buckets. They could also suck up the liquids if activated again, but did not fill up the buckets with the liquid dropped due to a bug.
TU10Fixed the bug where the liquid did not properly fill empty buckets.
TU19Can now face in any direction.
TU31CU19 1.22 Patch 3Can place pumpkins or wither skeleton skulls to spawn golems and withers providing the body is already built in a valid configuration.

Issues

Issues relating to "Dispenser" are maintained on the bug tracker. Report issues there.

Gallery

See also

Some other blocks can also be used to move items:

  • Droppers can throw items or push them into adjacent containers.
  • Hoppers can push items into adjacent containers.
  • Ice and packed ice have reduced friction to item entity movement.
  • Slime blocks can impart velocity to item entities when pushed by a piston.
  • Water can push item entities.

References

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