How to Get Gunpowder in Minecraft

Gunpowder has always been a big part of Minecraft because it can add an explosive element to many game features. You can make fireworks, TNT, and splash potions if you add a little Gunpowder to the crafting process. This has made it a high-interest item since its introduction to the game as Sulphur back in Minecraft Alpha.

How to Get Gunpowder in Minecraft

In Creative mode, you can simply access the inventory. But, what about Survival? There are three ways to get Gunpowder in Survival mode. The plus side? It's relatively easy. The downside? As far as resources go, Gunpowder is on the uncommon side. The most effective way to harvest them is with a mob farm, but it requires a lot of grinding without one of those. The list below provides you every option.

Option One: Mob Loot

This is the most effective way to grind for Gunpowder. Each of these mobs can drop Gunpowder upon Death. The amount of Gunpowder dropped can be significantly increased if you kill them with a sword enchanted with Looting I-III. The list below shows you which mobs can drop Gunpowder and how much they'll drop.

• Creeper: 
  • Normal: 0-2 Gunpowder
  • Max w/ Looting: 5 Gunpowder
  • Note: Must be killed with a weapon. If they explode, they do not drop Gunpowder.
• Ghast: 
  • Normal: 0-2 Gunpowder
  • Max w/ Looting: 5 Gunpowder
  • Note: Looting does not increase the drop rate if you kill the Ghast by deflecting its attack.
• Witch: 
  • Normal: 0-6 Gunpowder
  • Max w/ Looting: 15 Gunpowder

Option Two: Trading

This is generally not a productive way to obtain Gunpowder and isn't worth the cost. Occasionally, Wandering Traders will sell you Gunpowder for one Emerald.

Related: Best Minecraft Survival Maps 1.16 (March 2021) - Pro Game Guides

Option Three: World Generation

Since Gunpowder does not regenerate in Chests, this is not an efficient way to collect it. However, if you want to avoid fighting mobs, this is the next best option. Listed below are the chances that Gunpowder will spawn in the different world-generated Chests.

• Dungeon Chest
  • Quantity: 1-8
  • Chance: 57.8%
• Desert Temple Chest
  • Quantity: 1-8
  • Chance: 59%
• Shipwreck Supply Chest
  • Quantity: 1-5
  • Chance: 22.4%
• Woodland Mansion Chest
  • Quantity: 1-8
  • Chance: 57.8%

Option Four: Commands

The last option to get Gunpowder is via chat command. This can be done with one of the commands listed below. The command you use depends on which version of Minecraft you're using: Java (PC) or Bedrock (everything else).

• Java: /give PlayerName minecraft:gunpowder
• Bedrock: /give "PlayerName" gunpowder

Those are the four simple ways to get Gunpowder in Minecraft! See, we told you it was easy — just a bit of a grind.

Did you know we're covering the latest and best Minecraft Creative maps? Check out our list for the Best 1.16 Challenge Maps and the Best 1.16 Puzzle Maps!