In the vast and intricate world of Minecraft, redstone components are the key to automating tasks and creating complex mechanisms. Among these essential components, the redstone comparator stands out as a versatile tool for signal manipulation. Whether you’re aiming to build item sorters, logic gates, or intricate redstone contraptions, understanding how to craft and use a comparator is crucial.
This guide will walk you through the Minecraft Comparator Recipe, detailing the necessary materials and crafting process. We’ll also explore where to find comparators in Creative Mode and delve into their functionalities, ensuring you can effectively integrate them into your redstone builds.
Supported Platforms for Redstone Comparators
Redstone comparators are a standard feature in Minecraft, available across a wide range of platforms. You can craft and use them in the following 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 |
* The version that it was added or removed, if applicable. NOTE: Pocket Edition (PE), Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch, and Windows 10 Edition are now unified under Bedrock Edition.
Finding Redstone Comparators in Creative Mode
For players in Creative Mode, accessing redstone comparators is straightforward through the Creative Inventory menu. The location varies slightly depending on the Minecraft version and platform. Here’s a breakdown:
Minecraft Java Edition (PC/Mac)
In Java Edition, the location of the redstone comparator in the Creative Inventory depends on the version:
| 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
For Pocket Edition and Bedrock Edition, the comparator’s location has changed across versions:
| 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
The Creative Inventory location for redstone comparators on Xbox consoles varies by version:
| 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
Similar to Xbox, PlayStation editions have different locations based on the version:
| 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 Switch
On Nintendo Switch, the comparator’s location depends on the Minecraft version:
| 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
The location in Windows 10 Edition, now part of Bedrock Edition, has changed over time:
| 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
In Education Edition, redstone comparators can be found in these locations:
| 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 |
Gathering Materials for the Minecraft Comparator Recipe
To craft a redstone comparator in Survival Mode, you’ll need to gather the following materials:
- 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: A basic building block, easily acquired by mining stone and cobblestone, or smelting cobblestone in a furnace.
Step-by-Step Guide: Crafting a Redstone Comparator in Survival Mode
Once you have all the necessary materials, follow these steps to craft your redstone comparator:
1. Access the Crafting Table
Begin by opening your crafting table. This will give you access to the 3×3 crafting grid required for more complex recipes like the redstone comparator.
The 3×3 crafting area in Minecraft, essential for creating a redstone comparator and other advanced items.
2. Arrange the Materials in the Crafting Grid
In the crafting menu, carefully place the materials into the 3×3 grid according to the Minecraft comparator recipe:
- Row 1: Place 1 Redstone Torch in the center slot.
- Row 2: Place 1 Redstone Torch in the left slot, 1 Nether Quartz in the center slot, and 1 Redstone Torch in the right slot.
- Row 3: Fill all three slots with Stone.
The exact placement is crucial for the recipe to work. Refer to the image below for the correct pattern.
The crafting recipe for a redstone comparator in Minecraft, showing the precise placement of redstone torches, nether quartz, and stone.
3. Move the Crafted Comparator to Your Inventory
After correctly arranging the materials, the redstone comparator will appear in the result slot on the right side of the crafting interface. Drag the newly crafted comparator to your inventory for use.
The completed redstone comparator item, ready to be moved to your inventory after crafting.
Congratulations! You’ve successfully crafted a redstone comparator in Minecraft.
Understanding the Redstone Comparator
The redstone comparator is more than just a crafting recipe; it’s a logic component with multiple functions. It primarily serves three key roles in redstone circuitry:
- Comparison: As the name suggests, it compares the signal strength from its back input with the signal strength of its side inputs.
- Subtraction: In “subtraction mode,” it subtracts the signal strength of the side input from the back input.
- Signal Strength Measurement: It can measure the signal strength of containers (like chests and hoppers), note blocks, and other blocks, outputting a corresponding redstone signal.
You can toggle between “compare mode” and “subtraction mode” by right-clicking (or using the equivalent action on your platform) on the comparator. The torch on top will light up in subtraction mode.
Item ID and Names for Redstone Comparators
Each item in Minecraft has a unique ID and name. The specifics for redstone comparators are listed below, categorized by platform.
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) / Bedrock Edition
| Item | Description(Minecraft ID Name) | Data Value | Stack Size | Platform | Version(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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(minecraft:comparator) | 0 | 64 | Xbox One / Bedrock Edition | 1.6.0 – 1.21.0 |
Minecraft PS4 / Bedrock Edition
| Item | Description(Minecraft ID Name) | Data Value | Stack Size | Platform | Version(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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(minecraft:comparator) | 0 | 64 | 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(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(minecraft:comparator) | 0 | 64 | Education | 1.0 – 1.21.03 |
Redstone Comparator Block States
Block states define the properties of a block, such as its facing direction, mode, and power state. Here are the block states for redstone comparators across different Minecraft editions.
Minecraft Java Edition (PC/Mac)
| Block State | Value | Default | Required | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| facing | north, south, east, west | north | No | [facing=north] | Direction the comparator is facing |
| mode | compare, subtract | compare | No | [mode=compare] | Comparator mode (compare or subtract) |
| powered | false, true | false | No | [powered=false] | Whether the comparator is currently powered |
Minecraft Pocket Edition (PE) / Bedrock Edition
| Block State | Value | Default | Required | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| direction | 0, 1, 2, 3 | 0 | No | [“direction”=0] | Direction the comparator is facing (0=North, 1=East, 2=South, 3=West) |
| output_lit_bit | false, true | false | No | [“output_lit_bit”=false] | Whether the comparator is powered |
| output_subtract_bit | false, true | false | No | [“output_subtract_bit”=false] | Comparator mode (false=compare, true=subtract) |
Minecraft Xbox One / Bedrock Edition
| Block State | Value | Default | Required | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| direction | 0, 1, 2, 3 | 0 | No | [“direction”=0] | Direction the comparator is facing |
| output_lit_bit | false, true | false | No | [“output_lit_bit”=false] | Whether the comparator is powered |
| output_subtract_bit | false, true | false | No | [“output_subtract_bit”=false] | Comparator mode |
Minecraft PS4 / Bedrock Edition
| Block State | Value | Default | Required | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| direction | 0, 1, 2, 3 | 0 | No | [“direction”=0] | Direction the comparator is facing |
| output_lit_bit | false, true | false | No | [“output_lit_bit”=false] | Whether the comparator is powered |
| output_subtract_bit | false, true | false | No | [“output_subtract_bit”=false] | Comparator mode |
Minecraft Nintendo Switch / Bedrock Edition
| Block State | Value | Default | Required | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| direction | 0, 1, 2, 3 | 0 | No | [“direction”=0] | Direction the comparator is facing |
| output_lit_bit | false, true | false | No | [“output_lit_bit”=false] | Whether the comparator is powered |
| output_subtract_bit | false, true | false | No | [“output_subtract_bit”=false] | Comparator mode |
Minecraft Windows 10 Edition / Bedrock Edition
| Block State | Value | Default | Required | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| direction | 0, 1, 2, 3 | 0 | No | [“direction”=0] | Direction the comparator is facing |
| output_lit_bit | false, true | false | No | [“output_lit_bit”=false] | Whether the comparator is powered |
| output_subtract_bit | false, true | false | No | [“output_subtract_bit”=false] | Comparator mode |
Minecraft Education Edition
| Block State | Value | Default | Required | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| direction | 0, 1, 2, 3 | 0 | No | [“direction”=0] | Direction the comparator is facing |
| output_lit_bit | false, true | false | No | [“output_lit_bit”=false] | Whether the comparator is powered |
| output_subtract_bit | false, true | false | No | [“output_subtract_bit”=false] | Comparator mode |
Minecraft Give Command for Redstone Comparators
For quickly obtaining redstone comparators using commands, the /give command is invaluable, especially for testing and creative builds.
Give Command in Minecraft Java Edition (PC/Mac)
For recent versions of Java Edition (1.13 and above):
/give @p comparator 1For older versions of Java Edition (1.8 – 1.12):
/give @p comparator 1 0Give Command in Minecraft Pocket Edition (PE) / Bedrock Edition
For Bedrock Edition:
/give @p comparator 1 0(This command structure is generally consistent across Bedrock platforms including PE, Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch, Windows 10 Edition, and Education Edition for versions 1.12.0 and later.)
Unleashing the Power of Redstone Comparators: Practical Uses
Redstone comparators are incredibly versatile and can be used in a wide array of redstone circuits. Here are a few examples to spark your creativity:
- Item Sorters: Comparators are essential for detecting item quantities in containers, forming the backbone of automatic item sorting systems.
- Logic Gates: They can be configured to function as AND, OR, and XOR gates, enabling complex computational circuits within Minecraft.
- Automatic Farms: Comparators can monitor crop growth or animal breeding progress, automating collection and triggering actions when certain conditions are met.
- Fuel Level Detectors: In automatic furnaces or generators, comparators can monitor fuel levels, ensuring continuous operation.
- Conditional Triggers: Use comparators to activate mechanisms only when specific conditions are met, such as a player reaching a certain inventory level or a door opening only at night.
Example of a Redstone Device using Comparators
By mastering the Minecraft comparator recipe and understanding its functionalities, you unlock a new dimension of redstone engineering possibilities. Experiment with different configurations and applications to fully appreciate the power of this indispensable component in your Minecraft worlds.
