Updated 25 October 2026. Facts on this page come from minecraft.wiki, minecraft.net and the live Artemis PvP server; sources are listed at the bottom.
Torches in Minecraft: How to Make and Use Them
Craft 4 torches from 1 stick and 1 coal or charcoal. A torch gives light level 14, enough to stop most monsters spawning nearby, and breaks instantly with anything. Place it on the top or side of most blocks. Variants: soul torches (light 10, made with soul sand or soul soil) and redstone torches, which give power.
How do you make torches?
| Torch | Recipe | Light |
|---|---|---|
| Torch | Coal or charcoal above a stick (makes 4) | 14 |
| Soul torch | Coal or charcoal, stick and soul sand or soul soil (makes 4) | 10 |
| Redstone torch | Redstone dust above a stick | 7 |
Charcoal comes from smelting logs; see coal and charcoal.
How many torches stop mobs spawning?
Since 1.18, most monsters only spawn at block light 0 on both editions, so any block light stops them. Light drops by 1 per block, so a torch lights about 13 blocks in each direction. Light reaches 13 blocks from a torch, so torches about 12 blocks apart leave no dark gaps. Details: light levels and mob spawning.
Where can you place torches?
- On the top or sides of most solid blocks; some blocks need you to sneak.
- Not underwater on Java.
- A torch under sand or gravel stops it falling; falling sand landing on a torch breaks into an item.
- Torches melt snow within 2 blocks and ice within 3.
Torch tips
Keep a stack in your off-hand while mining; see the off-hand. Torches break if water flows over them, so do not place them in streams. Brighter or prettier options: light sources.
Frequently asked questions
How many torches does one coal make?
4 torches from 1 coal and 1 stick.
Sources
Every fact on this page was checked against these pages; the wording is ours.