How to Make TNT in Minecraft

Guide Java Bedrock

Quick answer: Craft TNT with gunpowder and sand (or red sand), in a checkerboard. Light it with flint and steel, a fire charge, redstone, fire, a flaming projectile or an explosion. Lit by fire or redstone it explodes after 4 seconds with power 4.

What you need

5 gunpowder
4 sand (or red sand)
To prime: flint and steel or a redstone signal

Step by step

Get gunpowder and sand (or red sand, any mix works).
Craft in a 3×3 grid: gunpowder in the four corners and the center (5 total), sand or red sand on the four edges (4 total). Sand types can be mixed.
Light it: flint and steel, fire charge, a dispenser, a redstone signal, stray fire, a flaming projectile or an explosion.
Wait: primed TNT explodes after 80 game ticks (4 seconds) when lit by fire or redstone, or after 10-30 ticks (0.5-1.5 seconds) when set off by another explosion.
Use physics: primed TNT is affected by gravity and can be pushed by flowing water, lava, pistons and explosions.
Find free TNT: 9 TNT generate in each desert pyramid, and buried treasure chests hold 1-2 TNT (~62.7%).
Underwater, TNT usually cannot destroy blocks.
Stay clear: the explosion deals up to 56 HP of damage on Normal difficulty and 84.5 HP on Hard, with high knockback, and does not damage players in Peaceful. Blocks it destroys drop as items.

Java vs Bedrock

In Java Edition, a gravity block such as sand on top of TNT when it is lit falls through it and lets the explosion break blocks underwater. In Bedrock Edition those tricks do not work; only underwater TNT (Education Edition option) can destroy blocks underwater.

Versions: The fuse was 2 seconds in early versions and became 4 seconds in 20100125.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the TNT fuse?

80 game ticks (4 seconds) when lit by fire or redstone, and 10-30 ticks when set off by an explosion.

How strong is a TNT explosion?

Primed TNT creates an explosion of power 4.

Does TNT chain react?

Yes. A redstone signal does not power adjacent TNT, but adjacent TNT blocks are activated by the explosion.

Where can I find TNT without crafting?

Desert pyramids (9 TNT) and buried treasure chests (1-2 TNT at ~62.7%).