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A redstone torch is a non-solid block that produces a full-strength redstone signal on all sides adjacent to it, except for its attached block, and can power the block directly above it. It deactivates while the block it is attached to is powered.

Obtaining[]

In Java Edition, the inactive redstone torch cannot be obtained as an item. In Bedrock Edition, it can be obtained via inventory editing.

Breaking[]

A redstone torch can be broken instantly using any tool, or without a tool, and drops itself as an item.

A redstone torch is removed and drops as an item if:

  • its attachment block is moved, removed, or destroyed
  • water or lava flows into its space
  • a piston pushes it or moves a block into its space

Natural generation[]

A single redstone torch is found inside each igloo. In ancient cities, multiple redstone torches can be found integrated into circuitry.

Crafting[]

Ingredients Crafting recipe
Redstone Dust +
Stick

Usage[]

Crafting ingredient[]

Redstone torches can be used to craft activator rails, redstone comparators, and redstone repeaters.

Name Ingredients Crafting recipe
Activator Rail Iron Ingot +
Stick +
Redstone Torch
Redstone Comparator Redstone Torch +
Nether Quartz +
Stone

Redstone Repeater Redstone Torch +
Redstone Dust +
Stone

Redstone component[]

See also: Redstone circuit

Redstone torches can be used to power blocks and transmission components such as redstone dust, activate mechanism components such as pistons, or invert redstone signals like a NOT Gate.

Placement
Redstone torch as power source

Examples of redstone torch placement and behavior.

To place a redstone torch, use the Place Block control while aiming at the surface to which the redstone torch should be attached.
A redstone torch can be attached to:
Redstone torches cannot be attached to the bottoms of any blocks.
Attempting to attach a redstone torch to an invalid surface can cause it to "snap" to a valid surface adjacent to the same space. For example, if a fence is on the ground, attempting to attach a redstone torch to the side of the fence causes the redstone torch to be attached to the top of the ground next to the fence instead.
Activation
A redstone torch is active unless the block it is attached to is powered. Effectively, a redstone torch inverts the signal applied to its attachment block: power level 0 is changed to 15 and power levels 1 to 15 are changed to 0 (for an alternative that produces a greater range of output power levels, consider a redstone comparator in subtraction mode).
Walls, fences, glass, slabs, hoppers, and stairs cannot be powered so redstone torches attached to them cannot be deactivated.
A redstone torch takes 1 redstone tick (2 game ticks, or 0.1 seconds barring lag) to change state and usually does not respond to 1-tick fluctuations of power.
Behavior
While active, a redstone torch:
A redstone torch never affects the block it is attached to, even if it is a mechanism component. For example, a redstone torch attached to a redstone lamp does not activate the lamp.
A redstone torch experiences "burn-out" when it is forced to change state (by powering and de-powering the block it is attached to) more than eight times in 60 game ticks (three seconds, barring lag). After burning out, a redstone torch produces a "smoke" particle and a hiss similar to an extinguished fire, deactivates, and then ignores attempts to change its state until the number of state changes in the last 60 game ticks drops to fewer than eight—after that it re-activates when it receives a block update (an adjacent block changing its state) or a redstone update that would not normally deactivate the redstone torch. There is no limit on how often a single redstone torch can burn out.

Sounds[]

Generic[]

Java Edition:

SoundSubtitlesSourceDescriptionResource locationTranslation keyVolumePitchAttenuation
distance
Block brokenBlocksOnce the block has brokenblock.wood.breaksubtitles.block.generic.break1.00.816
Block placedBlocksWhen the block is placedblock.wood.placesubtitles.block.generic.place1.00.816
Block breakingBlocksWhile the block is in the process of being brokenblock.wood.hitsubtitles.block.generic.hit0.250.516
None[sound 1]Entity-DependentFalling on the block with fall damageblock.wood.fallNone[sound 1]0.50.7516
FootstepsEntity-DependentWalking on the blockblock.wood.stepsubtitles.block.generic.footsteps0.151.016
  1. a b MC-177082

Bedrock Edition:

SoundSourceDescriptionResource locationVolumePitch
BlocksOnce the block has brokendig.wood1.00.8-1.0
BlocksWhen the block is placeddig.wood1.00.8
BlocksWhile the block is in the process of being brokenhit.wood0.230.5
PlayersFalling on the block with fall damagefall.wood0.41.0
PlayersWalking on the blockstep.wood0.31.0
PlayersJumping from the blockjump.wood0.121.0
PlayersFalling on the block without fall damageland.wood0.181.0

Unique[]

Java Edition:

SoundSubtitlesSourceDescriptionResource locationTranslation keyVolumePitchAttenuation
distance
Torch fizzesBlocksWhen a redstone torch burns outblock.redstone_torch.burnoutsubtitles.block.redstone_torch.burnout0.51.8-3.416

Bedrock Edition:

SoundSourceDescriptionResource locationVolumePitch
BlocksWhen a redstone torch burns outrandom.fizz1.0 [verify]2.0 [verify]

Data values[]

ID[]

Java Edition:

NameIdentifierFormBlock tagsTranslation key
Redstone Torchredstone_torchBlock & Itemwall_post_overrideblock.minecraft.redstone_torch
Redstone Wall Torchredstone_wall_torchBlockNoneblock.minecraft.redstone_wall_torch

Bedrock Edition:

NameIdentifierNumeric ID FormItem ID[i 1]Translation key
Redstone Torchredstone_torch76Block & Giveable Item[i 2]Identical[i 3]tile.redstone_torch.name
Unlit Redstone Torchunlit_redstone_torch75Block & Ungiveable Item[i 4]Identical[i 3]tile.unlit_redstone_torch.name
  1. ID of block's direct item form, which is used in savegame files and addons.
  2. Available with /give command.
  3. a b The block's direct item form has the same id as the block.
  4. Unavailable with /give command

Block states[]

See also: Block states

Java Edition:
Floor:

Name Default value Allowed values Description
littruefalse
true
If the torch is lit.

Wall:

Name Default value Allowed values Description
facingnortheast
north
south
west
The direction the top of the torch is facing.
littruefalse
true
If the torch is lit.

Bedrock Edition:

NameMetadata Bits Default value Allowed valuesValues for
Metadata Bits
Description
torch_facing_direction0x1
0x2
0x4
west west
east
north
south
top
1
2
3
4
5
The face of the block that the torch is attached to. If the torch is a wall torch, the top of the torch faces opposite to this direction.[1]
unknown0Unused

History[]

This section is missing information about changes to the redstone torch's resilience against rapid state changes (3-torch loops used to be unreliable but work as of modern Minecraft versions). 
Please expand the section to include this information. Further details may exist on the talk page.
Main article: /History
Java Edition Alpha
v1.0.1Redstone Torch JE1 BE1 Redstone Wall Torch (N) JE1 BE1 Redstone Wall Torch (E) JE1 BE1 Redstone Wall Torch (S) JE1 BE1 Redstone Wall Torch (W) JE1 BE1
Unlit Redstone Torch JE1 BE1 Unlit Redstone Wall Torch (N) JE1 BE1 Unlit Redstone Wall Torch (E) JE1 BE1 Unlit Redstone Wall Torch (S) JE1 BE1 Unlit Redstone Wall Torch (W) JE1 BE1 On Redstone Torch (texture) JE1 BE1 Added redstone torches.
Redstone torches currently make flame particles.
v1.0.2_01Redstone torches now signal into blocks only above or beside them.
v1.1.0Redstone torches can no longer be placed on tree leaves, but only in fancy mode.
v1.2.0_02Redstone torches no longer duplicate in multiplayer.
Java Edition Beta
1.2_01Redstone torches acting proper weird when placed has now been fixed.
1.3Redstone torches are now used to craft redstone repeaters.
1.6.6Redstone torches can now be placed on glowstone.
1.7Redstone torches can now be placed on the top of fences.
1.7.3A redstone torch duplication bug when using pistons has now been corrected.
Java Edition
?Redstone torches no longer produce both redstone torch particles and redstone dust particles when broken.
1.2.1?'Burn-out' time of redstone torches has now been reduced from 100 ticks to 60 ticks.
12w07aRedstone torches can now be placed on the top of glass.
1.3.112w25aRedstone torches can now be placed on upside-down slabs and stairs.
1.4.41.4.3Redstone torches now have a bottom texture, visible on wall torches or torches placed on top of glass.[2]
1.513w01aRedstone torches can now be used to craft redstone comparators and activator rails.
?Redstone torches can now be placed on the side of jack o'lanterns.
1.814w07aRedstone Wall Torch (N) JE2 Redstone Wall Torch (E) JE2 Redstone Wall Torch (S) JE2 Redstone Wall Torch (W) JE2
Unlit Redstone Wall Torch (N) JE2 Unlit Redstone Wall Torch (E) JE2 Unlit Redstone Wall Torch (S) JE2 Unlit Redstone Wall Torch (W) JE2 Redstone torches placed on walls are now rotated cuboids rather than a parallelpiped. Their top texture now also rotates accordingly.
14w25aBurnt-out redstone torches no longer randomly fix themselves.
Redstone Torch JE2 Redstone Wall Torch (N) JE3 Redstone Wall Torch (E) JE3 Redstone Wall Torch (S) JE3 Redstone Wall Torch (W) JE3
Unlit Redstone Torch JE2 Unlit Redstone Wall Torch (N) JE3 Unlit Redstone Wall Torch (E) JE3 Unlit Redstone Wall Torch (S) JE3 Unlit Redstone Wall Torch (W) JE3 Redstone torches are now incorrectly affected by directional shading.
14w33cRedstone Torch JE1 BE1 Redstone Wall Torch (N) JE2 Redstone Wall Torch (E) JE2 Redstone Wall Torch (S) JE2 Redstone Wall Torch (W) JE2
Unlit Redstone Torch JE1 BE1 Unlit Redstone Wall Torch (N) JE2 Unlit Redstone Wall Torch (E) JE2 Unlit Redstone Wall Torch (S) JE2 Unlit Redstone Wall Torch (W) JE2 Redstone torches are no longer affected by ambient occlusion.
1.915w43aA redstone torch now generates as part of igloos.
1.1317w47aThe different block IDs have been split up and merged into redstone_torch for on the ground, and redstone_wall_torch for on a wall.
A lit block state has been added for redstone torches.
Prior to The Flattening, these blocks' numeral IDs were 75 and 76.
17w48aRedstone torches can now be placed on the top of jack o'lanterns.
1.1418w43aRedstone Torch JE4 Redstone Wall Torch (N) JE5 Redstone Wall Torch (E) JE5 Redstone Wall Torch (S) JE5 Redstone Wall Torch (W) JE5
Unlit Redstone Torch JE4 Unlit Redstone Wall Torch (N) JE5 Unlit Redstone Wall Torch (E) JE5 Unlit Redstone Wall Torch (S) JE5 Unlit Redstone Wall Torch (W) JE5 On Redstone Torch (texture) JE2 BE2 The texture of redstone torches has now been changed.
19w12bRedstone torches can now be placed on ice, glowstone and sea lanterns.
1.1922w13aRedstone torches now generate in ancient cities.
Pocket Edition Alpha
v0.13.0build 1Redstone Torch JE1 BE1 Redstone Wall Torch (N) JE1 BE1 Redstone Wall Torch (E) JE1 BE1 Redstone Wall Torch (S) JE1 BE1 Redstone Wall Torch (W) JE1 BE1
Unlit Redstone Torch JE1 BE1 Unlit Redstone Wall Torch (N) JE1 BE1 Unlit Redstone Wall Torch (E) JE1 BE1 Unlit Redstone Wall Torch (S) JE1 BE1 Unlit Redstone Wall Torch (W) JE1 BE1 On Redstone Torch (texture) JE1 BE1 Added redstone torches.
v0.15.0?Redstone Torch BE2 File:Redstone Wall Torch (N) BE2.png File:Redstone Wall Torch (E) BE2.png Redstone Wall Torch (S) BE2 File:Redstone Wall Torch (W) BE2.png The back faces of redstone torches now render.[needs testing]
Pocket Edition
1.0.0alpha 0.17.0.1A redstone torch now generates as part of igloos.
Bedrock Edition
1.10.0beta 1.10.0.3Redstone Torch BE3 Redstone Wall Torch (N) BE3 Redstone Wall Torch (E) BE3 Redstone Wall Torch (S) BE3 Redstone Wall Torch (W) BE3
Unlit Redstone Torch BE2 Unlit Redstone Wall Torch (N) BE2 Unlit Redstone Wall Torch (E) BE2 Unlit Redstone Wall Torch (S) BE2 Unlit Redstone Wall Torch (W) BE2 On Redstone Torch (texture) JE2 BE2 The texture of redstone torches has now been changed.
Legacy Console Edition
TU1CU1 1.0 Patch 11.0.1Redstone Torch JE1 BE1 Redstone Wall Torch (N) JE1 BE1 Redstone Wall Torch (E) JE1 BE1 Redstone Wall Torch (S) JE1 BE1 Redstone Wall Torch (W) JE1 BE1
Unlit Redstone Torch JE1 BE1 Unlit Redstone Wall Torch (N) JE1 BE1 Unlit Redstone Wall Torch (E) JE1 BE1 Unlit Redstone Wall Torch (S) JE1 BE1 Unlit Redstone Wall Torch (W) JE1 BE1[verify] On Redstone Torch (texture) JE1 BE1 Added redstone torches.
TU43CU33 1.36 Patch 13A redstone torch now generates as part of igloos.
1.90 Redstone Torch JE4 File:Redstone Wall Torch (N) LCE2.png File:Redstone Wall Torch (E) LCE2.png Redstone Wall Torch (S) LCE2 File:Redstone Wall Torch (W) LCE2.png On Redstone Torch (texture) JE2 BE2 The texture of redstone torches has now been changed. Whether anything happened to the unlit torch is unknown.
New Nintendo 3DS Edition
0.1.0Redstone Torch JE1 BE1 Redstone Wall Torch (N) JE1 BE1 Redstone Wall Torch (E) JE1 BE1 Redstone Wall Torch (S) JE1 BE1 Redstone Wall Torch (W) JE1 BE1
Unlit Redstone Torch JE1 BE1 Unlit Redstone Wall Torch (N) JE1 BE1 Unlit Redstone Wall Torch (E) JE1 BE1 Unlit Redstone Wall Torch (S) JE1 BE1 Unlit Redstone Wall Torch (W) JE1 BE1[verify] On Redstone Torch (texture) JE1 BE1 Added redstone torches.

Unlit redstone torch "item"[]

The following content is transcluded from Technical blocks/Unlit Redstone Torch.
Java Edition Alpha
v1.0.1Off Redstone Torch (texture) JE1 BE1 Unlit redstone torches have an unobtainable item form corresponding to its block ID, which uses the inactive texture. It can be obtained via inventory editors with numeric item ID 75.
Java Edition Beta
1.6Test Build 3Unlit redstone torch items can be obtained from the newly added debug chests, mainly from the 17th slot of the 3rd chest from the left, and the 1st slot of the 7th chest from the left.
releaseDebug chests no longer spawn, preventing unlit redstone torch items from being obtained this way.
1.8Pre-release 2 ;)Added pick block functionality. This will change the currently selected slot to any containing this otherwise-unobtainable redstone torch item, but will not allow it to be obtained if not already in the hotbar.
Java Edition
1.2.5prePick Block now returns the actually obtainable redstone torch item.
1.3.112w16aUnlit redstone torch items can now be obtained in singleplayer worlds via the /give command using the respective numeric ID.
1.7.213w37aThe direct item form of unlit redstone torches has been removed from the game. It can no longer exist as an item in any way, only as a placed block.
?Added BlockStateTag, which allows to obtain all valid block states of respective block. This tag allows to obtain many technical blocks otherwise cannot be obtained, including unlit redstone torch.
Bedrock Edition
?Unlit redstone torches probably exist as an item.

Names[]

Java Edition

Item names did not exist prior to Beta 1.0.

  • Beta 1.0 - 13w36b: Redstone Torch

Trivia[]

  • In Minecraft Earth, the icon in the inventory shows an unlit redstone torch.

Issues[]

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

Gallery[]

Renders[]

In other media[]

References[]

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