Compass – Wiki Guide
This Minecraft tutorial explains how to craft a compass with screenshots and step-by-step instructions.
In Minecraft, a compass is one of the many tools that you can make.
Let’s explore how to make a compass.
Where to find a Compass in Creative Mode
Minecraft Java Edition (PC/Mac)
Here is where you can find a compass in the Creative Inventory menu:
| Platform | Version(s) | Creative Menu Location |
|---|---|---|
 Java Edition (PC/Mac) |
1.8 – 1.19 |  Tools |
| Java Edition (PC/Mac) |
1.19.3 – 1.20 |  Tools & Utilities |
- Platform is the platform that applies.
- Version(s) is the Minecraft version numbers where the item can be found in the menu location listed (we have tested and confirmed this version number).
- Creative Menu Location is the location of the item in the Creative Inventory menu.
Required Materials to make a Compass
In Minecraft, these are the materials you can use to craft a compass:
4 Iron Ingots
How to craft a Compass in Survival Mode
1. Open the Crafting Menu
First, open your crafting table so that you have the 3×3 crafting grid that looks like this:
2. Add Items to make a Compass
In the crafting menu, you should see a crafting area that is made up of a 3×3 crafting grid. To make a compass, place 4 iron ingots and 1 redstone dust in the 3×3 crafting grid.
When making a compass, it is important that the iron ingots and the redstone dust are placed in the exact pattern as the image below. In the first row, there should be 1 iron ingot placed in the middle box. In the second row, there should be 1 iron ingot placed in the first box, 1 redstone dust in the second box, and 1 iron ingot in the third box. In the third row, there should be 1 iron ingot placed in the middle box. This is the Minecraft crafting recipe for a compass.
Now that you have filled the crafting area with the correct pattern, the compass will appear in the box to the right.
3. Move the Compass to Inventory
Once you have crafted a compass, you need to move the new item to your inventory.
Congratulations, you have made a compass in Minecraft!
Item ID and Name
Minecraft Java Edition (PC/Mac)
In Minecraft, a compass has the following Name, ID and DataValue:
| Description (Minecraft ID Name) |
Data Value | Stack Size | Platform | Version(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compass (minecraft: |
0 | 64 | Java |
1.8 – 1.12 |
| Compass (minecraft: |
64 | Java |
1.13 – 1.20 |
- Description is what the item is called and (Minecraft ID Name) is the string value that is used in game commands.
- Data Value (or damage value) identifies the variation of the block if more than one type exists for the Minecraft ID.
- Stack Size is the maximum stack size for this item. While some items in Minecraft are stackable up to 64, other items can only be stacked up to 16 or 1. (NOTE: These stack sizes are for vanilla Minecraft only. If you are running a mod, some mods may change the stack size for an item.)
- Platform is the platform that applies.
- Version(s) is the Minecraft version numbers that the Minecraft ID and Name are valid for.
Give Command for Compass
Give Command in Minecraft Java Edition (PC/Mac)
In Minecraft Java Edition (PC/Mac) 1.13, 1.14, 1.15, 1.16, 1.17, 1.18, 1.19 and 1.20, the /give command for Compass is:
/give @p compass 1
In Minecraft Java Edition (PC/Mac) 1.8, 1.9, 1.10, 1.11 and 1.12, the /give command for Compass is:
/give @p compass 1 0
Enchantments for Compass
In Minecraft, you can enchant a compass with the following enchantments:
| Enchantment | Description |
|---|---|
| Curse of Vanishing | Cursed item will disappear after player dies |
- Enchantment is what the enchantment is called.
- Description is the description of what the enchantment does.
See a complete list of Minecraft Enchantments that is interactive and searchable.
Things to Make with Compasses
You can use compasses to make items in Minecraft such as:
How to make a Map
How to make a Recovery Compass
How to make an Enchanted CompassThings to Do with Compasses
Here are some activities that you can do with compasses in Minecraft:
