Complete Redstone Basics Guide
Redstone is Minecraft's equivalent of electricity! Learn the fundamentals of redstone circuits, components, and automation to create powerful automated systems for mining, sorting, and ore processing.
🔴 Understanding Redstone
Redstone is a special material that transmits power like electricity. When powered, redstone dust glows red and can activate various devices.
Redstone Power
Redstone has 16 power levels (0-15). Power decreases by 1 for each block of redstone dust traveled.
- Power Level 15: Full power (strongest)
- Power Level 0: No power (off)
- Power Decay: Loses 1 level per block
Redstone Sources
These blocks provide redstone power:
- 🔴 Redstone Torch: Constant power source
- 🔘 Button: Temporary power (1.5 seconds)
- 🎚️ Lever: Toggle power on/off
- ⛏️ Pressure Plate: Power when stepped on
- 📦 Detector Rail: Power when minecart passes
- 📊 Comparator: Measures container contents
🧩 Essential Redstone Components
Master these core components to build any redstone circuit:
🔴 Redstone Dust
Crafting: Mine redstone ore (Y=-64 to 15)
Function: Transmits power up to 15 blocks
Usage: Connect power sources to devices
🔴 Redstone Torch
Crafting: 1 Stick + 1 Redstone
Function: Constant power source, inverts signal
Usage: Power source, NOT gates, clocks
⏱️ Redstone Repeater
Crafting: 2 Redstone Torches + 1 Redstone + 3 Stone
Function: Extends signal, adds delay, one-way
Usage: Extend circuits, create delays, prevent backflow
📊 Redstone Comparator
Crafting: 3 Redstone Torches + 3 Stone + 1 Nether Quartz
Function: Compares signals, measures containers
Usage: Item sorters, signal strength detection
🔘 Button
Crafting: 1 Stone or Wood Plank
Function: Temporary power (1.5s stone, 1s wood)
Usage: Activate circuits temporarily
🎚️ Lever
Crafting: 1 Stick + 1 Cobblestone
Function: Toggle power on/off
Usage: Permanent circuit control
🔲 Piston
Crafting: 3 Wood Planks + 4 Cobblestone + 1 Iron + 1 Redstone
Function: Pushes blocks when powered
Usage: Block movement, doors, elevators
🔲 Sticky Piston
Crafting: 1 Piston + 1 Slime Ball
Function: Pushes and pulls blocks
Usage: Block movement, advanced contraptions
🚪 Redstone Lamp
Crafting: 4 Redstone + 1 Glowstone
Function: Light source activated by redstone
Usage: Lighting, indicators, displays
📦 Dispenser
Crafting: 7 Cobblestone + 1 Bow + 1 Redstone
Function: Shoots items when powered
Usage: Auto-farms, arrow dispensers, item launchers
⚡ Basic Redstone Circuits
Master these fundamental circuits to build more complex contraptions:
1. Simple Power Circuit
Setup: Lever → Redstone Dust → Redstone Lamp
Result: Lamp turns on when lever is flipped
This is the most basic circuit. Power flows from source to device.
2. NOT Gate (Inverter)
Setup: Lever → Redstone Torch (on block) → Lamp
Result: Lamp is ON when lever is OFF (inverted)
Redstone torch inverts the signal. When powered, torch turns off.
3. Repeater Extension
Setup: Lever → Redstone (15 blocks) → Repeater → Redstone (15 more)
Result: Signal extends beyond 15-block limit
Repeaters refresh the signal, allowing unlimited distance.
4. Clock Circuit (Repeater Loop)
Setup: Redstone dust in a loop with repeaters
Result: Continuous on/off pulse
Creates a repeating signal. Adjust repeater delays to change speed.
5. T-Flip Flop (Toggle)
Setup: Button → Sticky Piston + Redstone Block
Result: Toggles output on/off with each button press
Allows a button to act like a lever - toggles state.
⛏️ Redstone for Mining
Use redstone to automate mining operations and ore processing:
🔴 Auto-Smelter
Components: Hoppers, Furnaces, Redstone Comparator, Chests
Function: Automatically smelts ores and outputs to chest
- Place hopper above furnace (input)
- Place hopper on side (fuel input)
- Place hopper below (output)
- Use comparator to detect when smelting is done
📦 Item Sorter
Components: Hoppers, Comparators, Redstone, Chests
Function: Sorts items into different chests automatically
- Create hopper line with filters
- Use comparators to detect specific items
- Route items to appropriate chests
- Use redstone to lock hoppers when full
🚪 Hidden Door
Components: Pistons, Redstone, Pressure Plate/Button
Function: Concealed entrance to your mining base
- Place pistons to move blocks
- Connect to pressure plate or button
- Add redstone to activate pistons
- Test opening and closing
🔔 Mining Alert System
Components: Note Blocks, Redstone, Pressure Plates
Function: Alerts when ores are found
- Place pressure plate in mining area
- Connect to note block with redstone
- Step on plate to test sound
- Use different notes for different ores
🔧 Advanced Components
These components enable more complex automation:
📥 Hopper
Crafting: 5 Iron Ingots + 1 Chest
Function: Transfers items between containers
Speed: 1 item every 0.4 seconds (2.5 items/sec)
Usage: Item transport, auto-collection, sorting
🚂 Minecart with Hopper
Crafting: 1 Minecart + 1 Hopper
Function: Collects items while moving on rails
Usage: Mobile item collection, transport systems
🎵 Note Block
Crafting: 8 Wood Planks + 1 Redstone
Function: Plays notes when powered
Usage: Alerts, music, indicators
🔔 Bell
Location: Villages or craft with Gold + Iron
Function: Rings when powered, alerts villagers
Usage: Villager alerts, raid indicators
💡 Redstone Tips & Tricks
🎯 Common Redstone Projects
Start with these beginner-friendly projects:
1. Simple Door
Button → Piston → Door opens. Basic automation.
2. Hidden Staircase
Pistons retract blocks to reveal stairs. Great for secret bases.
3. Auto-Furnace
Hoppers feed fuel and items, output to chest. Saves time.
4. Item Sorter
Sorts ores, cobblestone, and other items automatically.
5. Redstone Clock
Repeating circuit for timed activations.
🔴 Ready to Master Redstone?
Start with simple circuits and work your way up to complex automation. Practice makes perfect!
