How to Get Red Sand in Minecraft

Guide Java Bedrock

Quick answer: Red sand only generates in badlands biomes, below about Y=74 in a single layer with no red sandstone under it. Dig it with a shovel; it drops itself. It also appears in abandoned camps. It can replace sand in most recipes, but not in concrete powder.

What you need

Shovel

Step by step

Travel to a badlands biome or one of its variants.
Dig down below about Y=74: red sand generates there in a single layer.
Break it with a shovel; it drops itself.
Check abandoned camps, which can also contain red sand.
Use it like sand: for TNT any mix of sand and red sand works, but concrete powder needs regular sand.

Java vs Bedrock

In Bedrock Edition, a wandering trader killed while showing a red sand trade can drop 4 red sand with a 25% chance (plus 1% per Looting level) if the player holds an emerald.

Versions: Red sand was added in Java snapshot 13w39a.

Frequently asked questions

Where does red sand generate?

Only in badlands biomes, below about Y=74, in a single layer.

Can I use red sand instead of sand?

In many recipes yes, but not for concrete powder.

Does red sand fall?

It is the red variant of sand and is a gravity block like sand.