TNT Cannon
A functional TNT cannon that launches a primed TNT block over 60 blocks. Uses water to protect the cannon body while charge TNT provides the propulsion force.
Overview
The TNT Cannon is a redstone build whose job is automating an action or hiding a mechanism with redstone logic; form follows function here, so the layout is dictated by how it works rather than by looks. At 13x3x3 blocks (13 wide, 3 tall and 3 deep) it is very compact, covering a 39-block footprint on the ground.
It is rated intermediate: nothing here is exotic, but you will need a steady supply of materials and a little patience with shaping, depth and interior detail to make it look right. Following the 14 steps below, plan for about 15-25 min. The parts for launched TNT are obtainable in survival, but with 2 components packed into a tight space it is far easier to prototype the TNT Cannon in creative, get the timing right, then rebuild it where you actually need it.
The bulk of the work is the 16 TNTs that form the main body, alongside 6 different materials in total (about 50 blocks and items all told). The working heart is the redstone — redstone dust and redstone repeater — which is what actually delivers the launched TNT. There is no dedicated light block in the core list, so add torches or lanterns yourself to keep it mob-safe after dark.
Materials Needed
Gather the 16 TNTs first, since it is the most-used block; the remaining 5 materials are accents and fittings used in smaller amounts. Mine roughly 10-15% extra of the main block to cover mistakes and a few decorative changes on a build this size. Make sure the redstone components (redstone dust and redstone repeater) are crafted ahead of time, as those are the pieces most likely to be missing mid-build. Quantities are sized for the dimensions shown, so scale them up proportionally if you build a larger version.
| Material | Quantity |
|---|---|
| TNT | 16 |
| Redstone Dust | 12 |
| Redstone Repeater | 4 |
| Water Bucket | 1 |
| Slab | 16 |
| Button | 1 |
Click any material to view it on the Items database.
Step-by-Step Overview
A high-level construction order for the TNT Cannon, from the ground up. Each phase below covers several of the 14 in-game steps.
- 1Plan the layout for the TNT Cannon on paper or in a flat test world first; it gives you launched TNT, and that depends on exact block placement, so mark where every component sits.
- 2Lay the input side — the button that arms the TNT Cannon — and confirm the signal actually reaches the mechanism before you build the rest.
- 3Build the working half of the TNT Cannon: timed water and primed TNT firing a payload. Connect it back to the input with dust, repeaters and torches.
- 4Hide the wiring behind blocks once the TNT Cannon works, but leave a hatch to any repeaters you might need to retune for timing.
- 5Trigger the TNT Cannon repeatedly from both states to be sure it never jams or desyncs before you build it into anything permanent.
Build Tips
- 1Water prevents the charge TNT from destroying the cannon.
- 2The projectile TNT must be placed last with the right timing.
- 3Increase repeater delays to adjust launch distance.
- 4Never aim at your own builds unless you want demolition.
Tips & Variations
The TNT Cannon has no light block in its core list, so add torches, lanterns or sea lanterns yourself: light every interior tile and the ground around it so nothing spawns on or beside the build overnight.
To resize the TNT Cannon, keep its 13x3 proportions and grow both axes together; stretching one direction alone tends to make it look thin. A half-size or double-size version both work as long as you scale the 50-block material list to match.
For a different look, swap the TNT in the TNT Cannon for another palette that fits your biome: the shape stays identical, but the colour and texture of the main block changes the whole feel of it.
The most common mistake on the TNT Cannon is wiring before testing: power one section of the redstone dust and redstone repeater at a time and confirm it fires before you bury the redstone, because a single misplaced repeater driving the launched TNT is painful to find once it is hidden inside the wall.
Frequently Asked Questions
How hard is the TNT Cannon build?
It is rated intermediate: nothing here is exotic, but you will need a steady supply of materials and a little patience with shaping, depth and interior detail to make it look right. It is laid out in 14 steps and takes about 15-25 min to finish.
What blocks do you need for the TNT Cannon?
The main block is TNT (around 16), and the full list runs to 6 materials — mostly TNT, slab and redstone dust. Altogether that is roughly 50 blocks and items; the complete table with exact counts is above. It also needs the redstone components that make it work: redstone dust and redstone repeater.
How big is the TNT Cannon?
It measures 13x3x3 blocks — 13 wide, 3 tall and 3 deep — which is very compact and takes up a 39-block footprint. You can shrink or enlarge it by keeping those proportions.
Is the TNT Cannon survival-friendly?
The parts for launched TNT are obtainable in survival, but with 2 components packed into a tight space it is far easier to prototype the TNT Cannon in creative, get the timing right, then rebuild it where you actually need it.
Does the TNT Cannon work on its own once built?
It does not run continuously — the TNT Cannon sits idle until you trigger it, then performs its action (launched TNT) and resets. Once wired correctly it works on demand every time, with no upkeep beyond the occasional retune if the timing drifts.
What makes the TNT Cannon different from similar builds?
It is best understood through its focus on tnt, cannon and weapon. Those traits drive the material list and layout described above, and are what set this redstone build apart from a generic launched TNT build.
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