How to Make a Soul Torch in Minecraft

Guide Java Bedrock

Quick answer: Craft 4 soul torches from coal or charcoal + a stick + soul sand or soul soil stacked vertically. They glow a spooky cyan at light level 10 (dimmer than normal torches) and - best part - piglins run away from them.

What you need

1 coal or charcoal
1 stick
1 soul sand or soul soil (Nether, soul sand valley)
Makes 4 soul torches per craft

Step by step

Gather soul sand or soul soil in the Nether: soul sand fills the soul sand valley, soul soil is the valley's ash block (also in bastions). Silk Touch is NOT needed.
Craft vertically: coal or charcoal on top, stick in the middle, soul sand or soul soil on the bottom - that makes 4 soul torches.
Use them as mood lighting: the flame burns cyan-blue and the light level is 10 versus a normal torch's 14 - dimmer, so mobs can still spawn further out. It is atmosphere, not coverage.
Weaponize them against piglins: piglins avoid soul fire light - soul torches, soul lanterns and soul campfires all repel them. Line your nether routes to keep piglins at distance.
Craft the family: a soul torch + 8 iron nuggets makes a soul lantern (light 10, hangable); soul soil + sticks + logs makes the soul campfire. Same piglin-repelling effect.
Snow golem trick: soul torches do not melt snow or ice, so they are the safe lighting for frozen builds and ice roads.

Java vs Bedrock

Identical recipe and behavior in Java and Bedrock.

Versions: Added in Java 1.16 and Bedrock 1.16.0 (Nether Update, 2020) alongside soul lanterns, soul campfires and the soul sand valley.

Frequently asked questions

Do soul torches keep mobs away?

Only piglins. The light level 10 is too dim to fully mob-proof an area (normal torches glow at 14), but piglins actively avoid soul fire light sources - that is the real utility.

Soul torch vs lantern - which is better?

A soul lantern is brighter? No - both glow at 10. The lantern is hangable and prettier; the torch is cheap and needs no iron. Both repel piglins and avoid melting snow.

Can you make soul torches without going to the Nether?

No - soul sand and soul soil are Nether-only blocks. One quick soul sand valley trip gives you a lifetime supply.