Redstone comparators are essential components in Minecraft for anyone delving into redstone circuitry. These versatile devices can perform a variety of functions, from maintaining signal strength to creating complex logic gates. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about making a redstone comparator, ensuring you can integrate this useful tool into your Minecraft creations.
Let’s explore how to craft a redstone comparator and understand its fundamental aspects within the game.
Supported Platforms for Redstone Comparators
Redstone comparators are a standard feature across virtually all modern Minecraft versions. You can craft and use them on these platforms:
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 redstone comparators were introduced. Bedrock Edition encompasses Pocket Edition (PE), Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch, and Windows 10 Edition.
Finding Redstone Comparators in Creative Mode
If you’re playing in Creative Mode, finding a redstone comparator is straightforward. Here’s where to locate them within the Creative Inventory across different Minecraft editions:
Minecraft Java Edition (PC/Mac)
Platform | Version(s) | Creative Menu Location |
---|---|---|
Java Edition (PC/Mac) | 1.8 – 1.19 | Redstone Tab |
Java Edition (PC/Mac) | 1.19.3 – 1.21.1 | Redstone Blocks Tab |
Minecraft Pocket Edition (PE) / Bedrock Edition
Platform | Version(s) | Creative Menu Location |
---|---|---|
Pocket Edition (PE) / Bedrock Edition | 0.14.1 – 1.1.3 | Tools Tab |
Pocket Edition (PE) / Bedrock Edition | 1.2 – 1.21.0 | Items Tab |
Minecraft Xbox Editions
Platform | Version(s) | Creative Menu Location |
---|---|---|
Xbox 360 | TU35 – TU69 | Redstone and Transportation Tab |
Xbox One / Bedrock Edition | CU23 – CU43 | Redstone and Transportation Tab |
Xbox One / Bedrock Edition | 1.2.5 – 1.21.0 | Items Tab |
Minecraft Playstation Editions
Platform | Version(s) | Creative Menu Location |
---|---|---|
PS3 | 1.26 – 1.76 | Redstone and Transportation Tab |
PS4 / Bedrock Edition | 1.26 – 1.91 | Redstone and Transportation Tab |
PS4 / Bedrock Edition | 1.14.0 – 1.21.0 | Items Tab |
Minecraft Nintendo Platforms
Platform | Version(s) | Creative Menu Location |
---|---|---|
Wii U | Patch 3 – Patch 38 | Redstone and Transportation Tab |
Nintendo Switch / Bedrock Edition | 1.04 – 1.11 | Redstone and Transportation Tab |
Nintendo Switch / Bedrock Edition | 1.5.0 – 1.21.0 | Items Tab |
Minecraft Windows 10 Edition / Bedrock Edition
Platform | Version(s) | Creative Menu Location |
---|---|---|
Windows 10 Edition / Bedrock Edition | 0.14.1 – 1.1.3 | Tools Tab |
Windows 10 Edition / Bedrock Edition | 1.2 – 1.21.0 | Items Tab |
Minecraft Education Edition
Platform | Version(s) | Creative Menu Location |
---|---|---|
Education Edition | 0.14.2 – 1.0.18 | Tools Tab |
Education Edition | 1.0.21 – 1.21.03 | Items Tab |
Creative Mode Definitions:
- Platform: The specific Minecraft platform.
- Version(s): Minecraft versions where the comparator is found in the listed menu location.
- Creative Menu Location: The inventory tab where redstone comparators are located in Creative Mode.
Essential Materials for Crafting a Redstone Comparator
To craft a redstone comparator in Survival Mode, you will need to gather these ingredients:
- 3 Redstone Torches: A fundamental redstone component, crafted from redstone dust and sticks.
- 1 Nether Quartz: Obtained from Nether Quartz Ore, found in the Nether dimension.
- 3 Stone Blocks: A basic building block, easily acquired by mining stone and smelting cobblestone.
Step-by-Step Guide: Crafting a Redstone Comparator in Survival Mode
Follow these simple steps to craft your own redstone comparator:
1. Access your Crafting Table
Begin by opening your crafting table. A crafting table provides the 3×3 grid necessary for creating more complex items like the redstone comparator.
Depiction of the 3×3 crafting grid interface in Minecraft, ready for placing crafting components.
2. Arrange the Materials in the Crafting Grid
In the crafting menu, you’ll see the 3×3 crafting grid. Place the materials in the exact pattern shown below to craft a redstone comparator. Accuracy in placement is key for a successful crafting recipe.
- Row 1: Place one redstone torch in the center slot.
- Row 2: Place one redstone torch in the left slot, one nether quartz in the center slot, and one redstone torch in the right slot.
- Row 3: Fill all three slots with stone blocks.
Visual guide showing the correct arrangement of stone, redstone torches, and nether quartz in the crafting grid to create a redstone comparator in Minecraft.
Once the materials are correctly positioned, the redstone comparator will appear in the output slot to the right of the crafting grid.
3. Move the Redstone Comparator to Your Inventory
Finally, drag the newly crafted redstone comparator from the output slot into your inventory. Now you are ready to use your redstone comparator in your redstone projects!
Screenshot showing the redstone comparator item successfully crafted and ready to be moved to the player’s inventory in Minecraft.
Congratulations! You have successfully crafted a redstone comparator in Minecraft.
Redstone Comparator Item ID and Names
For those using commands or needing specific identifiers, here are the Item IDs and Names for redstone comparators across different Minecraft editions:
Minecraft Java Edition (PC/Mac)
Item | Description (Minecraft ID Name) | Data Value | Stack Size | Platform | Version(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Redstone Comparator | Redstone Comparator (minecraft:comparator) | 0 | 64 | Java | 1.8 – 1.12 |
Redstone Comparator | Redstone Comparator (minecraft:comparator) | 64 | Java | 1.13 – 1.21.1 |
Minecraft Pocket Edition (PE) / Bedrock Edition
Item | Description (Minecraft ID Name) | Data Value | Stack Size | Platform | Version(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Redstone Comparator | Redstone Comparator (minecraft:comparator) | 0 | 64 | PE / Bedrock Edition | 1.0 – 1.21.0 |
Minecraft Xbox One / Bedrock Edition
Item | Description (Minecraft ID Name) | Data Value | Stack Size | Platform | Version(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Redstone Comparator | Redstone Comparator (minecraft:comparator) | 0 | 64 | Xbox One / Bedrock Edition | 1.6.0 – 1.21.0 |
Minecraft Playstation 4 / Bedrock Edition
Item | Description (Minecraft ID Name) | Data Value | Stack Size | Platform | Version(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Redstone Comparator | Redstone Comparator (minecraft:comparator) | 0 | 64 | PS4 / Bedrock Edition | 1.14.0 – 1.21.0 |
Minecraft Nintendo Switch / Bedrock Edition
Item | Description (Minecraft ID Name) | Data Value | Stack Size | Platform | Version(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Redstone Comparator | Redstone Comparator (minecraft:comparator) | 0 | 64 | Nintendo Switch / Bedrock Edition | 1.6.0 – 1.21.0 |
Minecraft Windows 10 Edition / Bedrock Edition
Item | Description (Minecraft ID Name) | Data Value | Stack Size | Platform | Version(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Redstone Comparator | Redstone Comparator (minecraft:comparator) | 0 | 64 | Windows 10 Edition / Bedrock Edition | 1.0 – 1.21.0 |
Minecraft Education Edition
Item | Description (Minecraft ID Name) | Data Value | Stack Size | Platform | Version(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Redstone Comparator | Redstone Comparator (minecraft:comparator) | 0 | 64 | Education Edition | 1.0 – 1.21.03 |
Item ID Definitions:
- Description: The in-game name of the item and its Minecraft ID Name used in commands.
- Data Value: Identifies variations of the block (if applicable).
- Stack Size: The maximum number of comparators that can be stacked in one inventory slot.
- Platform: The Minecraft platform.
- Version(s): Minecraft versions where the ID and Name are valid.
Redstone Comparator Block States
Understanding block states is crucial for advanced redstone mechanics, especially when using commands to manipulate blocks. 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 facing North |
facing | south | No | No | [facing=south] |
Comparator facing South |
facing | east | No | No | [facing=east] |
Comparator facing East |
facing | west | No | No | [facing=west] |
Comparator facing West |
mode | compare | Yes | No | [mode=compare] |
Comparator in compare mode |
mode | subtract | No | No | [mode=subtract] |
Comparator in subtract mode |
powered | false | Yes | No | [powered=false] |
Comparator not powered |
powered | true | No | No | [powered=true] |
Comparator is powered |
Minecraft Pocket Edition (PE) / Bedrock Edition
Block State | Value | Default | Required | Example | Description |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
direction | 0 | Yes | No | ["direction"=0] |
Comparator facing North |
direction | 1 | No | No | ["direction"=1] |
Comparator facing East |
direction | 2 | No | No | ["direction"=2] |
Comparator facing South |
direction | 3 | No | No | ["direction"=3] |
Comparator facing West |
output_lit_bit | false | Yes | No | ["output_lit_bit"=false] |
Comparator 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 in compare mode |
output_subtract_bit | true | No | No | ["output_subtract_bit"=true] |
Comparator in subtract mode |
Minecraft Xbox One / Bedrock Edition
Block State | Value | Default | Required | Example | Description |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
direction | 0 | Yes | No | ["direction"=0] |
Comparator facing North |
direction | 1 | No | No | ["direction"=1] |
Comparator facing East |
direction | 2 | No | No | ["direction"=2] |
Comparator facing South |
direction | 3 | No | No | ["direction"=3] |
Comparator facing West |
output_lit_bit | false | Yes | No | ["output_lit_bit"=false] |
Comparator 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 in compare mode |
output_subtract_bit | true | No | No | ["output_subtract_bit"=true] |
Comparator in subtract mode |
Minecraft Playstation 4 / Bedrock Edition
Block State | Value | Default | Required | Example | Description |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
direction | 0 | Yes | No | ["direction"=0] |
Comparator facing North |
direction | 1 | No | No | ["direction"=1] |
Comparator facing East |
direction | 2 | No | No | ["direction"=2] |
Comparator facing South |
direction | 3 | No | No | ["direction"=3] |
Comparator facing West |
output_lit_bit | false | Yes | No | ["output_lit_bit"=false] |
Comparator 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 in compare mode |
output_subtract_bit | true | No | No | ["output_subtract_bit"=true] |
Comparator in subtract mode |
Minecraft Nintendo Switch / Bedrock Edition
Block State | Value | Default | Required | Example | Description |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
direction | 0 | Yes | No | ["direction"=0] |
Comparator facing North |
direction | 1 | No | No | ["direction"=1] |
Comparator facing East |
direction | 2 | No | No | ["direction"=2] |
Comparator facing South |
direction | 3 | No | No | ["direction"=3] |
Comparator facing West |
output_lit_bit | false | Yes | No | ["output_lit_bit"=false] |
Comparator 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 in compare mode |
output_subtract_bit | true | No | No | ["output_subtract_bit"=true] |
Comparator in subtract mode |
Minecraft Windows 10 Edition / Bedrock Edition
Block State | Value | Default | Required | Example | Description |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
direction | 0 | Yes | No | ["direction"=0] |
Comparator facing North |
direction | 1 | No | No | ["direction"=1] |
Comparator facing East |
direction | 2 | No | No | ["direction"=2] |
Comparator facing South |
direction | 3 | No | No | ["direction"=3] |
Comparator facing West |
output_lit_bit | false | Yes | No | ["output_lit_bit"=false] |
Comparator 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 in compare mode |
output_subtract_bit | true | No | No | ["output_subtract_bit"=true] |
Comparator in subtract mode |
Minecraft Education Edition
Block State | Value | Default | Required | Example | Description |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
direction | 0 | Yes | No | ["direction"=0] |
Comparator facing North |
direction | 1 | No | No | ["direction"=1] |
Comparator facing East |
direction | 2 | No | No | ["direction"=2] |
Comparator facing South |
direction | 3 | No | No | ["direction"=3] |
Comparator facing West |
output_lit_bit | false | Yes | No | ["output_lit_bit"=false] |
Comparator 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 in compare mode |
output_subtract_bit | true | No | No | ["output_subtract_bit"=true] |
Comparator in subtract mode |
Block State Definitions:
- Block State: The technical name for the block’s state.
- Value: The possible values for each block state.
- Default: Indicates if the value is the default setting.
- Required: Specifies if the state is needed in commands.
- Example: Shows how to use block states in commands like
/fill
,/setblock
,/clone
, or/testforblock
.
Using the /give
Command for Redstone Comparators
For quick access or in command blocks, the /give
command is invaluable. Here’s how to use it to obtain redstone comparators:
/give
Command in Minecraft Java Edition (PC/Mac)
In recent Java Edition versions (1.13 to 1.21.1):
/give @p comparator 1
For older Java Edition versions (1.8 to 1.12):
/give @p comparator 1 0
/give
Command in Minecraft Pocket Edition (PE) / Bedrock Edition
In Bedrock Edition (1.12.0 to 1.21.0):
/give @p comparator 1 0
/give
Command in Minecraft Xbox One / Bedrock Edition
In Bedrock Edition (1.12.0 to 1.21.0):
/give @p comparator 1 0
/give
Command in Minecraft Playstation 4 / Bedrock Edition
In Bedrock Edition (1.14.0 to 1.21.0):
/give @p comparator 1 0
/give
Command in Minecraft Nintendo Switch / Bedrock Edition
In Bedrock Edition (1.12.0 to 1.21.0):
/give @p comparator 1 0
/give
Command in Minecraft Windows 10 Edition / Bedrock Edition
In Bedrock Edition (1.12.0 to 1.21.0):
/give @p comparator 1 0
/give
Command in Minecraft Education Edition
In Education Edition (1.12.0 to 1.21.03):
/give @p comparator 1 0
Unleashing the Power: What You Can Do with Redstone Comparators
Redstone comparators are more than just crafting components; they are powerful tools for advanced redstone contraptions. Here are some key functionalities:
- Signal Strength Comparison: Comparators can compare the signal strength from two inputs. If the rear input signal is stronger than the side input, the comparator outputs no signal. If the rear input is equal to or weaker than the side input, it outputs a signal equal to the rear input.
- Signal Subtraction: In subtraction mode (right-click to activate), comparators subtract the side input signal strength from the rear input signal strength. This is crucial for creating complex logic and managing signal flow.
- Container Level Detection: Comparators can read the fill level of containers like chests, hoppers, and droppers. This allows for item detection systems and automated inventory management.
- Block State Detection: They can detect certain block states, such as whether a cake has been eaten or if a lectern has a book. This opens up possibilities for interactive and dynamic redstone builds.
- Logic Gates: Comparators are essential for creating various logic gates like AND, OR, XOR, and more complex circuits, enabling intricate automated systems.
By mastering the crafting and utilization of redstone comparators, you unlock a new dimension of possibilities in your Minecraft redstone projects. Experiment with different configurations and discover the full potential of this versatile component!