In the vast world of Minecraft, redstone is the key to automation and complex mechanisms. Among the essential redstone components, the comparator stands out as a versatile tool for signal manipulation and logic circuits. If you’re looking to delve deeper into redstone and learn How Do You Make A Comparator In Minecraft, this comprehensive guide is for you.
This tutorial will walk you through the crafting process of a redstone comparator, explain where to find it in Creative Mode, and provide essential details about its functionalities across different Minecraft platforms. Let’s get started and unlock the potential of comparators in your Minecraft creations!
Supported Platforms for Redstone Comparators
Redstone comparators are a fundamental part of Minecraft’s redstone system and are available across a wide range of platforms. You can craft and use comparators in the following Minecraft versions:
| Platform | Supported Version* |
|---|---|
| Java Edition (PC/Mac) | Yes (1.5) |
| Pocket Edition (PE) / Bedrock Edition | Yes (0.14.0) |
| Xbox 360 | Yes (TU19) |
| Xbox One / Bedrock Edition | Yes (CU7) |
| PS3 | Yes (1.12) |
| PS4 / Bedrock Edition | Yes (1.12) |
| Wii U | Yes |
| Nintendo Switch / Bedrock Edition | Yes |
| Windows 10 Edition / Bedrock Edition | Yes (0.14.0) |
| Education Edition | Yes |
* Version indicates when comparators were added. Bedrock Edition encompasses Pocket Edition (PE), Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch, and Windows 10 Edition.
Finding Redstone Comparators in Creative Mode
If you are playing in Creative Mode and need a redstone comparator quickly, you can easily find it within the Creative Inventory menu. The location varies slightly depending on your Minecraft platform and version. Here’s a breakdown of where to find comparators in Creative Mode:
Minecraft Java Edition (PC/Mac)
| Platform | Version(s) | Creative Menu Location |
|---|---|---|
| Java Edition (PC/Mac) | 1.8 – 1.19 | Redstone |
| Java Edition (PC/Mac) | 1.19.3 – 1.21.1 | Redstone Blocks |
Minecraft Pocket Edition (PE)
| Platform | Version(s) | Creative Menu Location |
|---|---|---|
| Pocket Edition (PE) | 0.14.1 – 1.1.3 | Tools |
| Pocket Edition (PE) | 1.2 – 1.21.0 | Items |
Minecraft Xbox Editions
| 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 – 1.21.0 | Items |
Minecraft PS Editions
| 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 – 1.21.0 | Items |
Minecraft Nintendo
| 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 – 1.21.0 | Items |
Minecraft Windows 10 Edition
| Platform | Version(s) | Creative Menu Location |
|---|---|---|
| Windows 10 Edition | 0.14.1 – 1.1.3 | Tools |
| Windows 10 Edition | 1.2 – 1.21.0 | Items |
Minecraft Education Edition
| Platform | Version(s) | Creative Menu Location |
|---|---|---|
| Education Edition | 0.14.2 – 1.0.18 | Tools |
| Education Edition | 1.0.21 – 1.21.03 | Items |
Gathering the Materials for a Redstone Comparator
To craft a redstone comparator in Survival Mode, you will need to gather the following ingredients:
- 3 Redstone Torches: Redstone torches are crafted from redstone dust and sticks. They are a fundamental redstone component, acting as a power source.
- 1 Nether Quartz: Nether quartz is a mineral found exclusively in the Nether dimension. You can mine nether quartz ore which is commonly found throughout the Nether.
- 3 Stones: Stone is a basic building block obtained by mining cobblestone and smelting it in a furnace, or by mining stone blocks directly with a pickaxe enchanted with Silk Touch.
Once you have collected these materials, you are ready to craft your redstone comparator.
Step-by-Step Guide: Crafting a Redstone Comparator in Survival Mode
Follow these simple steps to craft a redstone comparator in Minecraft Survival Mode:
1. Access Your Crafting Table
First, you need to access a crafting table. Place a crafting table in your game world and interact with it to open the 3×3 crafting grid interface.
2. Arrange the Materials in the Crafting Grid
In the crafting grid, place the materials in the exact pattern shown below. This specific arrangement is crucial for creating a redstone comparator.
- Row 1: Place one redstone torch in the center slot.
- Row 2: Place one redstone torch in the leftmost slot, one nether quartz in the center slot, and one redstone torch in the rightmost slot.
- Row 3: Fill all three slots with stone.
3. Move the Comparator to Your Inventory
If you have placed the materials correctly, a redstone comparator will appear in the output slot on the right side of the crafting interface. Drag the redstone comparator from the output slot to your inventory to complete the crafting process.
Congratulations! You have successfully crafted a redstone comparator in Minecraft. Now you can use it in your redstone circuits and contraptions.
Understanding Redstone Comparator Functionality
Redstone comparators are more than just crafting components; they are logic gates with two primary modes: comparison mode and subtraction mode. Understanding these modes is key to utilizing comparators effectively in your redstone projects.
-
Comparison Mode: In this default mode, the comparator compares the signal strength from its back input with the strongest signal from its side inputs.
- If the back input signal is stronger than the side input signal, the comparator outputs a signal equal to the back input.
- If the back input signal is weaker or equal to the side input signal, the comparator outputs no signal (signal strength 0).
-
Subtraction Mode: To activate subtraction mode, right-click (or use the equivalent interaction button on your platform) on the comparator. A redstone torch will appear on the front of the comparator, indicating subtraction mode.
- In subtraction mode, the comparator subtracts the strongest side input signal from the back input signal.
- The result of this subtraction is the output signal strength. If the side input signal is stronger, the output signal will be 0.
Comparators have a wide range of applications, including:
- Measuring Container Levels: Comparators can detect the fill level of containers like chests, hoppers, and barrels, outputting a signal strength proportional to the amount of items inside.
- Item Detection: They can detect the presence of specific items in item frames or detect changes in crop growth.
- Logic Gates: Comparators can be used to create complex logic gates like AND, OR, and XOR gates when combined with other redstone components.
- Signal Strength Manipulation: They can be used to maintain, reduce, or compare redstone signal strengths, allowing for precise control in redstone circuits.
By mastering the comparator and its modes, you can create more compact, efficient, and intelligent redstone systems in Minecraft.
Redstone Comparator Item ID and Name
For advanced users and those using commands, here are the Item IDs and Names for redstone comparators across different Minecraft platforms:
Minecraft Java Edition (PC/Mac)
| Item | Description (Minecraft ID Name) | Data Value | Stack Size | Platform | Version(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Redstone Comparator (minecraft:comparator) | 0 | 64 | Java | 1.8 – 1.12 | |
| Redstone Comparator (minecraft:comparator) | 64 | Java | 1.13 – 1.21.1 |
Minecraft Pocket Edition (PE)
| Item | Description (Minecraft ID Name) | Data Value | Stack Size | Platform | Version(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Redstone Comparator (minecraft:comparator) | 0 | 64 | PE | 1.0 – 1.21.0 |
Minecraft Xbox One
| Item | Description (Minecraft ID Name) | Data Value | Stack Size | Platform | Version(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Redstone Comparator (minecraft:comparator) | 0 | 64 | Xbox One | 1.6.0 – 1.21.0 |
Minecraft PS4
| Item | Description (Minecraft ID Name) | Data Value | Stack Size | Platform | Version(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Redstone Comparator (minecraft:comparator) | 0 | 64 | PS4 | 1.14.0 – 1.21.0 |
Minecraft Nintendo Switch
| Item | Description (Minecraft ID Name) | Data Value | Stack Size | Platform | Version(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Redstone Comparator (minecraft:comparator) | 0 | 64 | Switch | 1.6.0 – 1.21.0 |
Minecraft Windows 10 Edition
| Item | Description (Minecraft ID Name) | Data Value | Stack Size | Platform | Version(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Redstone Comparator (minecraft:comparator) | 0 | 64 | Windows | 1.0 – 1.21.0 |
Minecraft Education Edition
| Item | Description (Minecraft ID Name) | Data Value | Stack Size | Platform | Version(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Redstone Comparator (minecraft:comparator) | 0 | 64 | Education | 1.0 – 1.21.03 |
Redstone Comparator Block States
Block states define the properties of a block and can be modified using commands. Here are the block states for redstone comparators:
Minecraft Java Edition (PC/Mac)
| Block State | Value | Default | Required | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| facing | north | Yes | No | [facing=north] |
Comparator is facing North |
| facing | south | No | No | [facing=south] |
Comparator is facing South |
| facing | east | No | No | [facing=east] |
Comparator is facing East |
| facing | west | No | No | [facing=west] |
Comparator is facing West |
| mode | compare | Yes | No | [mode=compare] |
Comparator is in compare mode |
| mode | subtract | No | No | [mode=subtract] |
Comparator is in subtract mode |
| powered | false | Yes | No | [powered=false] |
Comparator is not powered |
| powered | true | No | No | [powered=true] |
Comparator is currently powered |
Minecraft Pocket Edition (PE)
| Block State | Value | Default | Required | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| direction | 0 | Yes | No | ["direction"=0] |
Comparator is facing North |
| direction | 1 | No | No | ["direction"=1] |
Comparator is facing East |
| direction | 2 | No | No | ["direction"=2] |
Comparator is facing South |
| direction | 3 | No | No | ["direction"=3] |
Comparator is facing West |
| output_lit_bit | false | Yes | No | ["output_lit_bit"=false] |
Comparator is not powered |
| output_lit_bit | true | No | No | ["output_lit_bit"=true] |
Comparator is powered |
| output_subtract_bit | false | Yes | No | ["output_subtract_bit"=false] |
Comparator is in compare mode |
| output_subtract_bit | true | No | No | ["output_subtract_bit"=true] |
Comparator is in subtract mode |
Minecraft Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch, Windows 10 Edition, and Education Edition
These Bedrock platforms share the same block states as Pocket Edition:
| Block State | Value | Default | Required | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| direction | 0 | Yes | No | ["direction"=0] |
Comparator is facing North |
| direction | 1 | No | No | ["direction"=1] |
Comparator is facing East |
| direction | 2 | No | No | ["direction"=2] |
Comparator is facing South |
| direction | 3 | No | No | ["direction"=3] |
Comparator is facing West |
| output_lit_bit | false | Yes | No | ["output_lit_bit"=false] |
Comparator is not powered |
| output_lit_bit | true | No | No | ["output_lit_bit"=true] |
Comparator is powered |
| output_subtract_bit | false | Yes | No | ["output_subtract_bit"=false] |
Comparator is in compare mode |
| output_subtract_bit | true | No | No | ["output_subtract_bit"=true] |
Comparator is in subtract mode |
Give Command for Redstone Comparator
For quickly obtaining redstone comparators using commands, here are the /give commands for various Minecraft versions:
Give Command in Minecraft Java Edition (PC/Mac)
For versions 1.13 and above:
/give @p comparator 1For versions 1.8 to 1.12:
/give @p comparator 1 0Give Command in Minecraft Pocket Edition (PE), Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch, Windows 10 Edition, and Education Edition
For versions 1.12.0 and above across these platforms:
/give @p comparator 1 0Unleash Your Creativity with Redstone Comparators
Now that you know how do you make a comparator in minecraft and understand its functionalities, you are ready to incorporate this powerful redstone component into your builds. Experiment with different configurations, explore its comparison and subtraction modes, and unlock the full potential of redstone comparators in your Minecraft world. Happy building and automating!
