How to make a Compass in Minecraft

In the real world, compasses are used to point to the north. This can give explorers a general idea of what direction they should go if they get lost. In Minecraft, the Compass item points you to your original spawn. This is the area that you started in when the world was first created. If you built your home in that spot, the Compass is very useful for getting back if you go out exploring. Here is how to create a Compass in Minecraft.

Related: How to craft Map in Minecraft

How to craft a Compass in Minecraft

To create a Compass in Minecraft, you will need one piece of Redstone Dust and four Iron Ingots. Both items can be grabbed while mining or there is a chance to get them from Chests in various structures found around the world. Redstone appears at levels 15 to -63, with levels -34 through -63 being the most common places to find it.

When you have your four Iron Ingots and one Redstone Dust, go to a Crafting Table. The crafting recipe requires you to place the Redstone Dust in the center slot, with the Iron Ingots directly above, below, and to each side of the Redstone. Move the completed Compass into your inventory when done.

If you do not want to spend the resources to make a Compass, you can potentially trade for it with a Librarian Villager.

Now that you have the Compass, you will notice the red arrow rotating when you turn. This is always pointing to your original spawn point in the world, so this can be a great tool to get back home if you are lost while out exploring or mining. However, if you have built your home base in a different location, we recommend using the Compass to make a Map so you can use that to find your way home. If you are in the Nether or The End, the needle on the Compass will spin constantly.