TNT

TNT

Type	Solid Block
Requirements	None
Physics	Only after activation
Transparency	No
Luminance	No
Blast Resistance	0
Tool	Any tool
Renewable	No
Stackable	Yes (64)
First Appearance	Classic 0.26 Survival Test (October 24, 2009)
Data value	dec: 46 hex: 2E

TNT (trinitrotoluene) is a highly destructive block that, once activated, creates an explosion. TNT is usually recommended as a quick and efficient method for destroying large portions of undesirable blocks or structures. It can also be used as a weapon, but isn't recommended due to its destructive nature and its potential to seriously injure or even kill players if they stray too close to the blast radius. Detonating TNT in water will prevent it from destroying any blocks; however, entities will still be damaged if within the blast radius.

Crafting

Ingredients	Input � Output
Gunpowder + Sand

Explosive properties

A TNT explosion

Upon being in the blast radius of a nearby explosion, right clicked with flint and steel, contact with fire or a fire charge, lava, or application of redstone current, TNT will follow the laws of physics (e.g., gravity), emit smoke, flash white, and explode after 4 seconds, or seven flashes. Almost all blocks (see list below), mobs, and players caught in the blast radius will take damage or be destroyed/killed outright. However, the damage to blocks (but not the player or mobs) can be prevented by detonating the TNT in a liquid. Floating items hit by the blast will be destroyed, however any block between an item and the center of the blast, no matter the size or material, will protect the item from destruction.
The TNT blast will propagate according to this formula f=e-r, where f is the force of the TNT blast after propagating through the block, e is the energy of the blast before propagating through the block, and r is the blast resistance of the block. Thus, the explosion propagates farthest (7 blocks) through air, which has a blast resistance of zero. However, TNT immediately enclosed in stone will destroy an exact 3x3x3 cube originating from the center of the blast. The damage is lethal at close range.
Numerous blocks and entities can survive TNT blasts, and even protect the player. In the case of blocks, obsidian, bedrock, and liquid source blocks are immune to TNT explosions, which allows for bomb shelters, a sealed world, and TNT cannons, respectively. In addition, a player or mob sitting in a minecart will take minimal damage from a TNT explosion, and this effect allows them to be launched great distances.
For those who use TNT in the Nether, or deep underground, lava can and will eventually set fire to TNT, causing it to detonate. Furthermore, since TNT explosions require intensive CPU power, large explosions will cause severe stuttering in singleplayer and extreme lag while playing in multiplayer.
In addition, TNT has several interesting properties. Theoretically, an infinite amount of primed TNT can fit into one cubic meter because primed TNT will not collide with other primed TNT. Falling sand and gravel entities will react accordingly to a detonation, scattering from the point of origin, and will fall through the TNT when it is triggered. If sand or gravel fall through primed TNT while it is underwater, the TNT will detonate normally, causing an explosion.

  Uses

TNT monster traps can be created, making TNT a powerful defensive tool. When exposed to a Redstone current, the TNT activates as if it had been activated by a player. Combine this with a Pressure Plate and you can create an automatic defense for your buildings. Also, if you dig two blocks down, place a TNT block, then any block and then a pressure plate on top you get a landmine, which is great for defense.
For the TNT to receive the circuit's signal, the Redstoneneeds to be directed straight into it from at least one of four sides, from either the Layer the TNT is based on, or above or below one layer. Diagonally adjacent entry will not make a connection. Redstone next to TNT will also set off the TNT, even if it is not directly connected with it (through a T connection not directly connected, or an "I" connection running parallel alongside it). TNT will only be set off by redstone if the redstone signal it is receiving turns on. This means that if it is receiving a current when it is placed, it will not be set off, but if the signal turns off and turns on again, it will be set off. There is however a bug where after flipping the signal off, sometimes only a few of the TNT blocks will become active. Redstone torches will activate a TNT block as well if directly under the TNT block, or under a block on which the TNT rests.
TNT is also good for clearing large amounts of dirt or gravel when mining underground. It should be noted that you should avoid using TNT to clear areas when high up in a ravine, as the TNT might destroy the block you were standing on, causing you to fall to your death, you might fall off when running away from the TNT to avoid blast damage, and if you get hit by an explosion and surviving (mostly because of armor) you will probably be knocked off by the explosion knockback.
Because primed TNT is affected by physics, it is used as a projectile which is propelled by an explosion of a TNT charge in TNT Cannons. Also, arrowsattached to TNT will fall off when it becomes a primed TNT. This can be used to create arrow traps.
It is possible to "rocketjump" via TNT, by jumping while standing on it just before it explodes. However, this will deal damage, and possibly kill an unprotected player, so heavy armor is needed.
Both activated and non-activated TNT can be pushed with pistons. No explosion properties or damage levels are changed by the push. Like any other block, it will stop as soon as the piston is fully extended; it is not launched.
Although this may be a bug, TNT can be used to view nearby caves/underground spaces. This is done by using pistons to push TNT into where you are standing. Because TNT is transparent, this will not hurt you, but will allow you to see through all blocks that aren't adjacent to air. However, as TNT is quite dangerous and may be accidentally set off by the Redstone controlling the piston, it's best to use a block like Glowstone instead.