From Redstone clocks to constantly running machines, Redstone repeaters are vital for a variety of machines. Now, it’s time you learn how to make and use them in your mechanical builds. So, join us as we uncover what are Redstone repeaters in Minecraft and make the most out of them!
Redstone Repeaters in Minecraft
Our guide covers all aspects of a Redsonte repeater in Minecraft. Make sure to explore each section carefully to avoid missing any key details.
How Does a Redstone Signal Travel in Minecraft
When you power a Redstone component in Minecraft, it can emit a powerful signal, that can further power other blocks. This signal can be transferred by Redstone dust which acts like a wire between various components.
But, the strength of a Redstone signal changes with the change in component. Moreover, even the strongest signal only travels for a maximum of 15 blocks. That's where a Redstone repeater comes in.
What is a Redstone Repeater in Minecraft
The Redstone repeater is a powerful Redstone component in Minecraft that boosts a Redstone signal back to full power. It has four unique states that let you add various delays to your Redstone circuits.
Parts of a Redstone Repeater
You can break down a Redstone repeater in Minecraft into three main parts:
- Front Rod: This is the Redstone rod present at the front of the repeater and is responsible for its output. You cannot interact with this part of the repeater.
- Moveable Rod: Attached to a hollow lane, this is the only moveable part of this block. You can interact with this rod to change the state of a Redstone repeater. More on it later.
- Sides: A Redstone repeater can only transmit signals from its front and back portions. But, you can send signals to the side portions to lock the repeater. Keep reading to find out how.
Items Required to Make a Redstone Repeater
You need to get the following items to craft a Redstone repeater in Minecraft:
- 3 Stone blocks
- 2 Redstone torches
- 1 Redstone Dust
- Crafting Table or Crafter
Stone acts as the base of the Redstone repeater. But, to mine and pick it up, you need to get a Silk Touch enchanted pickaxe. Without it, the stone blocks drop cobblestones when you mine them. Fortunately, there is an easy workaround. You can smelt cobblestone blocks in a furnace to turn them into stone.
How to Find Redstone
From looting to Minecraft ores, there are a variety of ways to obtain Redstone in your world. You can use our dedicated guide to find Redstone in Minecraft in no time. Though, to sum it up, all you need to do is dig down and look for Redstone ore.
Similar to diamonds, Redstone ore spawns close to the Bedrock layer at Y=-64. But, make sure only to use an iron pickaxe or stronger to mine this ore. This ore drops nothing when mined with a stone or wooden tool.
Get Redstone Torch
Once you get Redstone dust, turning it into a torch is really easy. Simply place one piece of Redstone dust and a stick vertically next to one another. While this variant of torches isn't useful for lighting, you can rely upon it to craft and even power your Redstone repeater.
Crafting Recipe of Redstone Repeaters in Minecraft
After collecting all the ingredients, follow these simple steps to make a Redstone repeater in Minecraft:
1. First, fill the bottom row of the crafting grid with three stone blocks.
2. Then, place one piece of Redstone dust in the middle of the 3x3 crafting grid.
3. Finally, place one Redstone torch on each side of the dust. With that, your Redstone repeater is ready for action!
4. Since it's a two-column recipe, you can use any two columns of the crafting grid to make it. Doing so doesn't affect the final repeater.
What Can Power the Repeater
You can use the following blocks and items to power a Redstone repeater:
- Toggleable components like Redstone torch, lever, button, etc
- Active Redstone dust carrying power
- Powered Redstone comparator or another repeater
- Mechanical blocks carrying Redstone power like a Redstone lamp, a lectern, and more
How Does the Redstone Repeater Work
Redstone repeaters are one of the most versatile mechanical blocks in Minecraft. You can use them for the following purposes:
- To transmit Redstone signals inside a circuit with a small delay of 0.1 seconds
- Help a Redstone signal travel more than 15 blocks by boosting it
- Create memory circuits with locked signals
- Add a delay of up to a second to the transmission of any Redstone signal
Unless you are a Redstone expert, the above-mentioned uses can feel a bit tricky. But, worry not as we are going to cover them in the next section.
How Do You Repeat a Redstone Signal
Normally, a full Redstone signal only travels 15 blocks before dying out. But, if you add a Redstone repeater at its endpoint, the block repeats the signal and gives it a boost to travel 15 more blocks. You can also use it to enhance weaker signals to travel further than usual.
However, every time you boost a signal with a Redstone repeater, it also gets a delay of one Redstone tick or 0.1 seconds. There is no way to avoid this delay as it prevents repeaters from becoming overpowered.
How to Delay Signals
As mentioned earlier, when you add a Redstone repeater to a circuit, it automatically adds a 0.1-second delay to it. But, you can extend this delay further by moving the rod on a Redstone Repeater in Minecraft. To do so, simply right-click or use the secondary action key to change the state of the repeater.
It has the following states:
- 1 Redstone Tick (Default)
- 2 Redstone Ticks: Adds .3 second delay
- 3 Redstone Ticks: Adds .4 second delay
- 4 Redstone Ticks: Adds .5 second delay
Lock Signal of Redstone Repeater
When you add a powered Redstone repeater or comparator on the side of another Redstone repeater, the former locks the latter. This locked Redstone repeater cannot change its output even when the input changes.
To remove the lock, simply break or turn off the powered block that is on the side of the locked repeater. As you can guess, this mechanic is only useful for complex Redstone builds that involve memory circuits.
How Do You Make a Redstone Repeater Clock
Thanks to their ability to repeat signals, the Redstone repeaters are a vital element in making Redstone clocks in Minecraft. Let's go over a simple design to create such clocks:
1. First, collect two Redstone repeaters, some Redstone dust, and one lever.
2. Then, place the Redstone repeaters parallel to each other but facing the opposite direction. Make sure there is a one-block gap between them.
3. Then, connect the repeaters by placing Redstone dust around them, as a wire. While doing so, you can also right-click on the repeater to add a delay to your circuit. 
4. Finally, use a lever (or other component) to activate the circuit and start the loop. But, make sure to break the lever right after activating it. 
Later, you can add elements like a Redstone lamp to the mix. It will turn on and off after a delay of up to 1 second (based on the repeater's state).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a Redstone repeater and a comparator?
The comparators only chest the state of a Redstone signal. Unlike repeaters, they can't repeat or boost signals.
How far can Redstone go without a repeater?
By default, the strongest Redstone signal only travels for 15 blocks.
Why do Redstone repeaters stay on?
If a Redstone repeater is on when you lock it, it remains on.
Are Redstone repeaters diodes?
Redstone repeaters only accept signals from one end and emit them from the opposite end. This mechanic makes them act like a diode semiconductor.
Make and Use Redstone Repeaters in Minecraft
Now that you have access to Redstone repeaters in Minecraft, it’s time to make creative builds. Our list of best Minecraft barn ideas is a great source of inspiration. Alternatively, the best Minecraft automatic farms might offer some creative but complex options. But, we are more curious to explore what you are planning to do with Redstone repeaters. Share your ideas on our Discord server and explore blueprints by various talented builders!