Every Minecraft player needs a compass. It’s one of the most basic tools in the game, but it can be a lifesaver when you’re lost in the wilderness. If you don’t have a compass, you can easily get turned around and lost, especially if you’re playing in a large world. However, making a compass is very easy and only requires a few simple materials. If you’re new to Minecraft, or if you’ve just forgotten how to make a compass, then this guide will show you how to do it.
The first thing you need to do is gather the necessary materials. You will need four iron ingots and one redstone dust. Iron ingots are made by smelting iron ore in a furnace. Redstone dust is found in the Nether, or you can craft it by mining redstone ore. Once you have all of the materials, you can start crafting the compass. To do this, open your crafting table and place the iron ingots in the following pattern:
- Top row: two iron ingots
- Middle row: two iron ingots
- Bottom row: one Redstone dust (in the center)
Once you have placed the materials in the correct pattern, the compass will be crafted automatically. You can then drag the compass from the crafting table into your inventory.
Gathering the Necessary Materials
Crafting a compass in Minecraft is a crucial skill for navigating the vast and sometimes treacherous world. The process requires a few specific materials, and it’s essential to gather them before you begin:
Redstone Dust
Redstone dust is a vital ingredient in crafting a compass. It’s a bright red powder that can be found in the Nether and the Overworld. In the Nether, it can be obtained by mining Redstone Ore or by looting chests. In the Overworld, it can be found by breaking Witch Huts or by mining Redstone Ore that generates in specific biomes like the Mesa.
Redstone dust can also be crafted using a Crafting Table. To do this, place one piece of Redstone Ore in the center of the Crafting Table and surround it with eight pieces of Cobblestone. When the crafting is complete, you will have nine pieces of Redstone Dust.
| Material | Quantity | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Redstone Dust | 4 | Nether or Overworld |
| Iron Ingots | 4 | Smelting Iron Ore |
Crafting the Compass Base
Now that we have our Redstone dust, it’s time to craft the base of our compass. For this, we will need four Iron Ingots. Iron Ingots can be crafted by smelting Iron Ore in a Furnace. Once you have your Iron Ingots, arrange them in a square shape in your crafting grid, as shown below:
| Iron Ingot | Iron Ingot |
| Iron Ingot | Iron Ingot |
Once you have crafted the Iron Base, it’s time to add the Redstone dust. Place the Redstone dust in the center of the Iron Base, as shown below:
| Iron Ingot | Iron Ingot |
| Redstone Dust | Iron Ingot |
| Iron Ingot | Iron Ingot |
And there you have it! You have now successfully crafted the base of your compass. In the next step, we will add the final component: the Lodestone.
Adding the Blaze Powder
Now that you have your eight iron ingots, you need to add the blaze powder. Blaze powder is a rare material that is found in the Nether, a dimension that is accessible through portals. To get to the Nether, you will need to build a Nether portal using obsidian blocks. Once you have built the portal, you can light it with a flint and steel to activate it.
Once you are in the Nether, you will need to find a blaze mob. Blazes are hostile mobs that are found in the Nether fortresses. They will attack you on sight, so be prepared for a fight. Once you have killed a blaze, it will drop blaze rods. You can then use the blaze rods to craft blaze powder. To craft blaze powder, you will need to place a blaze rod in a crafting table. This will produce one blaze powder.
Once you have the blaze powder, you can add it to the crafting table. To do this, place the iron ingots in the top three rows of the crafting table, and place the blaze powder in the center of the bottom row.
Now that you have added the blaze powder, you can craft the compass. You can find the crafting recipe for the compass in the following table:
| Item | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Iron Ingot | 8 |
| Blaze Powder | 1 |
Once you have crafted the compass, you can equip it to your character. To do this, open your inventory and drag the compass to the compass slot in the top right corner of the screen.
Placing the Redstone Dust
To place the redstone dust, follow these detailed steps:
-
Connect the Redstone Lamp to the Circuit:
- Place a redstone lamp on top of the lower left diamond block.
- Use a redstone wire to connect the lamp to the left end of the redstone comparator.
-
Create the “T” Shape for Redstone Dust:
- Place redstone dust on the diamond block to the right of the redstone lamp.
- Place redstone dust vertically above the redstone lamp, extending one block upwards.
- Place redstone dust horizontally across the top of the vertical redstone dust, creating a “T” shape.
-
Connect the Comparator to the Redstone Line:
- Use redstone wire to extend the redstone line from the right end of the comparator.
- Run the wire over the horizontal arm of the “T” shape, towards the upper right corner.
-
Activate the Redstone Dust by Sending a Signal:
- To activate the redstone dust and light up the lamp, you need to send a redstone signal into the circuit.
- You can do this by placing a redstone torch next to the input end of the redstone comparator.
- The torch will emit a redstone signal, which will travel through the wire and activate the dust.
- The lamp will then light up, indicating that the redstone dust is properly placed and activated.
Advanced Uses for the Compass
In addition to basic navigation, the compass in Minecraft offers several advanced uses that can enhance gameplay.
Multiple Player Coordinates
Right-clicking a compass on an empty map grants access to player coordinates – a set of numeric values that provide the exact location of the player. This information can be crucial for coordinating with team members, especially in vast or complex environments.
Nether Coordinates
When used in the Nether, the compass points to the player’s corresponding coordinates in the Overworld. This allows players to navigate and return to their Overworld destinations accurately, even if lost in the Nether.
Lodestone Compass
By crafting a lodestone and placing it in the center of a compass, players can create a lodestone compass that points towards the lodestone’s location. This allows for precise navigation to specific points of interest, such as bases, farms, or hidden treasures.
Waypoint Navigation
The compass can be used as a waypoint navigation tool. By marking a location on the map and holding the compass, players can use the compass needle to guide them towards the marked location.
Bedrock Tracking
In the “Nether Update,” the compass gained the ability to point towards the nearest exposed bedrock. This is helpful in mining and exploring the deep tunnels of the Nether.
End Portal Location
When the player is near an end portal in the End dimension, the compass needle will spin rapidly. This indicates the presence of an end portal and helps players locate it more easily.
| Feature | Usefulness |
|---|---|
| Multiple Player Coordinates | Coordinate sharing and team coordination |
| Nether Coordinates | Navigating between Overworld and Nether |
| Lodestone Compass | Precise navigation to specific locations |
| Waypoint Navigation | Guided navigation towards marked locations |
| Bedrock Tracking | Exploration and mining in the Nether |
| End Portal Location | Finding the end portal in the End dimension |
Variations of the Compass
Lodestone Compass
A Lodestone Compass points toward the world spawn point, also known as the origin point. It is crafted using a Lodestone, which is found in Strongholds and End Cities. To craft a Lodestone Compass, place a Lodestone in the center of a crafting table and surround it with eight Iron Ingots.
Target Compass
A Target Compass points toward a specific location, which can be set by the player. To set the location, hold the compass in your hand and right-click on the target point. To craft a Target Compass, place a Redstone Dust in the center of a crafting table and surround it with eight Iron Ingots.
Clock Compass
A Clock Compass functions as a portable sundial, indicating the current time of day. It has a needle that points to the position of the sun, allowing you to determine the time without relying on the sky. To craft a Clock Compass, place a Sundial in the center of a crafting table and surround it with eight Iron Ingots.
Coordinates Compass
A Coordinates Compass displays the player’s current X, Y, and Z coordinates. This information can be useful for mapping out areas or locating specific points in the world. To craft a Coordinates Compass, place a Paper in the center of a crafting table and surround it with eight Iron Ingots.
Tracker Compass
A Tracker Compass points toward the nearest player or mob that has a name tag. To use it, you must first give the player or mob a name tag and then hold the compass in your hand. The compass will then point in the direction of the target.
Horse Compass
A Horse Compass points toward any of your tamed horses within a certain range. It allows you to easily track down your horse if it wanders off or gets lost. To craft a Horse Compass, place a Saddle in the center of a crafting table and surround it with eight Iron Ingots.
Boat Compass
A Boat Compass points toward any of your boats within a certain range. It is useful for locating your boat if you’ve parked it somewhere and can’t remember where.
Nether Compass
A Nether Compass points toward the nearest Nether portal. It is essential for navigating the Nether, as it allows you to find your way back to the Overworld if you get lost. To craft a Nether Compass, place a Nether Star in the center of a crafting table and surround it with eight Iron Ingots.
How to Craft a Compass in Minecraft
A compass is an invaluable tool for navigating the vast Minecraft world. It helps you determine your orientation and locate important landmarks. Creating a compass is a simple process that requires a few basic resources.
- Gather the materials: You will need 4 iron ingots and 1 redstone dust.
- Arrange the materials: Place 4 iron ingots in a square formation on your crafting table. Place the redstone dust in the center of the square.
- Craft the compass: Interact with the crafting table to combine the materials and create the compass.
People Also Ask
How do I use a compass in Minecraft?
Once crafted, hold the compass in your hand and it will point towards the world spawn point.
Can I enchant a compass in Minecraft?
Yes, you can enchant a compass with the “Unbreaking” enchantment to increase its durability.
What is the difference between a lodestone and a compass?
A lodestone attracts a compass needle and can be used to set the compass’s direction. A compass points towards the world spawn point.
