How to Make Flint and Steel in Minecraft

Guide Java Bedrock

Quick answer: Craft flint and steel from an iron ingot and flint. It places fire, lights Nether portals, ignites TNT and unlit campfires and candles, and forces creepers to explode. Durability is 64 in Java and 65 in Bedrock.

What you need

1 iron ingot
1 flint

Step by step

Craft the flint and steel (shapeless): 1 iron ingot and 1 flint, anywhere in the grid.
Place fire: use it on the space above a solid top surface, or on any side of a flammable block. Using it on non-flammable surfaces still costs durability.
Light a Nether portal: fire inside a valid obsidian frame is instantly replaced by portal blocks. It cannot light End portals.
Use it on TNT to ignite it (the explosion counts as your attack). If you are sneaking, fire is placed on the side of the TNT instead.
Use it on a creeper or charged creeper to force it to explode. This cannot be cancelled.
Relight unlit campfires, candles and cakes with candles.
Repair: combine two damaged ones for the sum of their durability plus 5%, or in an anvil. It accepts Unbreaking, Mending and Curse of Vanishing.
Find one: ruined portal chests (46.4%), abandoned camp common chests (27.5%) and nether fortress chests (17.9%).

Java vs Bedrock

Durability is 64 in Java and 65 in Bedrock. A dispenser with flint and steel can place fire or ignite TNT and campfires, but cannot detonate creepers.

Versions: Describes the current Java and Bedrock releases. See the edition note above for differences.

Frequently asked questions

How many uses does flint and steel have?

64 in Java and 65 in Bedrock.

Can flint and steel light an End portal?

No.

Can I make a creeper explode with it?

Yes, use it on a creeper or charged creeper. It cannot be cancelled.

Where can I find one?

Ruined portal chests, abandoned camp chests and nether fortress chests.