Redstone Comparator: How To Make It & Use It

“Redstone” is a forbidden word for some Minecraft players and an interesting one for others. Comparators, repeaters, circuits… Are we playing Minecraft or making a university project?!

Well, the truth is that you shouldn’t be afraid of the Minecraft Redstone Comparator. Maybe you two started off the wrong foot, but there’s time to fix that.

Minecrafter, this is the Redstone Comparator. Redstone Comparator, meet this Minecrafter. There you go - a new beginning for both of you.

Now, you shouldn’t avoid using this magnificent block. You will still find it whether you play on Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Java Edition, Education Edition, or Mac version.

But do not despair - we’ve got you covered. After reading this Minecraft tutorial, you will now understand all you need to know about the following topics:

• Understanding once and for all the Redstone Comparator in Minecraft;
• How to set up Redstone Comparators and their signal strength;
• Differences between Redstone Repeater and Redstone Comparator.

What’s the Minecraft Redstone Comparator?

Let’s start with the basics: the Redstone Comparator is a block meant to be used along with Redstone Circuits.

So far, so good. You can find this block on each version of Minecraft, including Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PC version, and Mac version. You can craft a Redstone Comparator on a Crafting Menu or put it in your inventory with a game command.

Redstone Circuits’ Potential is Unlimited

Mojang introduced the Redstone Comparator in Minecraft back in version 1.15. They also introduced the hopper and some Nether blocks in this update.

To be fair, Mojang says that the level of difficulty to use this block is relative. However, if you manage to comprehend its functions, it becomes one of the best tools in the Minecraft world.

Comprehending How the Redstone Comparator Works

It’s time to understand the setup of a Redstone Comparator in Survival Mode.

First, let’s see the Comparator structure. Take a look at the following image:

As you can see, the Redstone Comparator in Minecraft has a rear input, two side inputs, and an output for the Redstone signal.

The Redstone Comparator receives a signal coming from one of the inputs and it comes out from the Comparator’s output. It can also be powered with a side current from a Redstone signal.

TL;DR: The Comparator can receive a signal from the main input or the side input. Then, the signal comes from a single output. As simple as that!

Use Redstone Torches, Dust, Repeaters, and Blocks to Power Up the Comparator

Okay, but how can you get a powered comparator? You might use Redstone Torches, Redstone Blocks and practically any block crafted with Redstone Dust.

On the other hand, there are other items that can also power up the Redstone Comparator, but only from the rear input, never from the sides.

Comparison Mode

The Redstone Comparator has two modes, and one of them is meant to compare the signals being received by each input.

When the front torch is off, the Redstone Comparator is in comparison mode. Receiving a signal from a Redstone Wire will result in the output of said signal with equal strength.

For example: if a signal of 15 comes in, the Redstone Comparator will emit a signal of 15, as shown in the following image:

pic

But, what happens when it receives a greater signal strength from the side input? The comparator will turn off. That’s it—no more signal coming out from the output.

Remember that the main front torch must be in an off position for the Redstone Comparator to compare signals.

Once again, but now in detail:

• The Comparator receives a signal strength of 15 in the rear input and a signal strength of 14 in one side entrance. The result? The signal emitted by the Redstone Comparator from the output will be 15.
• The Comparator receives a signal of 13 in the rear input and a signal of 15 in the side input. The result? The comparator will turn off.

pic

TL;DR: Big signal from the rear and smaller signal from the side: the Compactor will emit an equal signal as the one it’s receiving. Big signal from the side and smaller signal from the rear: useless comparator - no signal emission whatsoever.

Subtraction Mode

Now, it’s time to understand subtraction mode. You need to turn on the main torch of the Comparator by right-clicking it.

pic

The Minecraft Redstone Comparator will subtract the higher signal strength coming from the sides with the one coming from the rear. The resulting signal will come out from the output.

Let’s take a look at the following example:

pic

The Redstone Comparator receives a rear signal of 15. On the sides, it is receiving two signals: one of 5 and another one of 7.

Which one is greater? The 7 one! So, the output signal will have a signal strength of 15 - 7 = 8.

TL;DR: Incoming signal (15) minus greatest side signal (7) = resulting output signal (8). And those are the two functions of Redstone Comparators.

What Can You Use a Redstone Comparator For?

It wasn’t that complicated, right? We know that you are now a master of Comparators in Minecraft.

Now, what can you use these tools for? It’s time to take a look at their practical uses.

Measuring the Content of Different Items

The Redstone Comparator will light up if it receives a maximum signal strength from a block. This works with a music disc, a respawn anchor, an item frame, a brewing stand (we also have a Brewing Stand in Minecraft guide, go check it out!), and even an End Portal frame.

There are endless possibilities to know if a container or a dispenser is full or empty depending on its filled slots. These are three of the most common uses for a Comparator:

Measuring the content of item containers with a Redstone Comparator
Do you want to know if a large chest is full or empty? Place a Comparator on the rear end, and it will emit a signal depending on the full slots of the chest. This also works with a furnace.	Bees in Minecraft are a must-have in the game. If you put a Redstone Comparator near a beehive, it’ll emit a maximum signal strength of 5 once the hive is full of honey.	If a player turns a page on a Lectern in Minecraft, the Comparator will emit a signal. It also works with other book container items.

Unimaginable Redstone Ideas

Let your imagination fly. Some players make clocks, logical circuits, and even item sorters using a Redstone Comparator.

At first, this is complex to achieve, but once you have enough practice, it’ll be a walk in the park.

pic

How to Craft Redstone Comparators

You can’t find a naturally-generated Comparator in the world of Minecraft.

Still, don’t let this stop you: we’ll show you how to craft a Redstone Comparator in no time.

Required Materials in the Crafting Menu

/table

Go to the Crafting Table

Now that you have the required ingredients to make a Redstone Comparator, go to a Crafting Table and arrange the items as shown in the following recipe:

pic

Move the Comparator to your inventory, and you are now good to go.

And that’s how you use and make a Redstone Comparator in Minecraft! It isn’t so difficult, isn’t it? We know your potential as a Minecraft player: you are now ready to take over the Overworld with outstanding circuits.

We have more blog posts related to Minecraft on our website; check them out to become even more unstoppable in this game!

Redstone Comparator FAQ

What’s the Difference Between a Redstone Repeater and a Redstone Comparator?

The Repeater will take a signal and expand its reach, while the Comparator will just decide which signal strength must come out from the output.

What is a Redstone Clock?

It’s a big and complex clock that can be made using the Redstone Comparator tool. Watch this YouTube video to understand how to make it.