Gunpowder is the backbone of some of the most fun items in Minecraft: TNT, fireworks, and splash potions all need it. It only comes from a few mobs and chests, though, so knowing the fastest sources (and how to farm them) saves a lot of time. This guide covers every way to get gunpowder and how to stockpile it.
Everything here is confirmed in the current 2026 version of Minecraft (26.2).
Quick answer: the main way to get gunpowder is by killing creepers, which drop 0 to 2 each. You also get it from witches, ghasts, loot chests, and wandering traders. For a steady supply, build a mob farm that funnels creepers, or a dedicated creeper farm.
Gunpowder Sources at a Glance
| Source | Drop/amount |
|---|---|
| Creeper | 0-2 (up to 5 with Looting III) |
| Witch | 0-6 (best per-kill) |
| Ghast | 0-2 |
| Loot chests | 1-8 (dungeons, temples, shipwrecks) |
| Wandering trader | Buy for 1 emerald |
Creepers: The Main Source
Creepers are the go-to. Each one drops 0 to 2 gunpowder when killed (by anything other than their own explosion), and a sword with Looting III raises the max to 5. Kill them with a melee hit or a bow so they do not blow up, and the drops are yours. Because creepers spawn in any dark area, a general mob farm naturally collects a lot of gunpowder over time.
Witches: The Biggest Per-Kill Drop
Witches drop the most gunpowder per kill, 0 to 6, and even more with Looting. They spawn in witch huts (swamp) and during raids, so a witch farm built around a swamp hut is one of the fastest ways to gather large amounts of gunpowder along with redstone, glowstone, and sticks.
Ghasts and Loot Chests
Ghasts in the Nether drop 0 to 2 gunpowder, handy if you are already fighting them. You will also find gunpowder in loot chests across the world, dungeons, desert temples, shipwrecks, and woodland mansions, usually 1 to 8 at a time. It is not a reliable farm, but it adds up while exploring.
Wandering Trader
If you would rather buy it, a wandering trader sometimes offers gunpowder for a single emerald. It is a small, occasional trade, but useful in a pinch if mobs are not cooperating.
What Gunpowder Is For
Gunpowder is worth farming because it feeds three of the best crafts in the game:
- TNT: 5 gunpowder + 4 sand.
- Fireworks: for elytra flight and rockets, more gunpowder means longer flight.
- Splash and lingering potions: adding gunpowder turns any brewed potion into a throwable splash potion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Mainly by killing creepers, which drop 0 to 2 each. You can also get it from witches, ghasts, loot chests in structures, and occasionally from a wandering trader.
A creeper farm or a general mob farm gives a steady supply, while a witch farm built around a swamp hut drops the most per kill. Use a sword with Looting III to boost the amounts.
No. Creepers drop 0 to 2 gunpowder, so some drop none. They must be killed by something other than their own explosion, and they drop nothing if they blow up.
Yes. Looting adds up to 1 extra per level, so Looting III raises a creeper’s maximum from 2 to 5 and a witch’s from 6 to higher.
Sometimes. Wandering traders occasionally sell gunpowder for one emerald, which is a handy backup if you cannot find enough mobs.
Making TNT, fireworks, and splash or lingering potions. Fireworks also power elytra flight, so gunpowder is worth keeping stocked.
Gunpowder really comes down to mobs: creepers for everyday needs, witches for bulk, and a farm for either one if you want to never run out. Keep a Looting sword handy, and you will have plenty for all the TNT, rockets, and splash potions you can use.
