The Observer watches the block directly in front of it and fires a short redstone pulse whenever that block changes state. Crops growing, pistons moving, a block being placed or broken – if something changes in that one spot, it triggers. It’s one of the more useful redstone blocks in the game once you get a feel for how it works.
Where to Find an Observer in Creative Mode
Java Edition (PC/Mac)
| Platform | Version(s) | Creative Menu Location |
|---|---|---|
| Java Edition (PC/Mac) | 1.11 – 1.19 | Redstone |
| Java Edition (PC/Mac) | 1.19.3 – 1.19.4 | Redstone Blocks |
Required Materials
To craft one Observer you need:
- 6 Cobblestone
- 2 Redstone Dust
- 1 Nether Quartz
How to Craft an Observer in Survival Mode
1. Open Your Crafting Table
Right-click a crafting table to open the 3×3 crafting grid.
2. Place the Items in the Correct Pattern
Fill the top row with 3 cobblestones. In the middle row, put redstone dust in the first slot, redstone dust in the second slot, and nether quartz in the third slot. Fill the bottom row with 3 more cobblestones. The placement has to be exact or it won’t work.
3. Move the Observer to Your Inventory
Once the Observer appears in the result slot, drag it into your inventory.
Item ID and Name
Java Edition (PC/Mac)
| Description (Minecraft ID Name) | Data Value | Stack Size | Platform | Version(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Observer minecraft:observer |
0 | 64 | Java | 1.11 – 1.12 |
| Observer minecraft:observer |
64 | Java | 1.13 – 1.19.4 |
Give Command for Observer
Java Edition 1.13 and above
/give @p observer 1
Java Edition 1.11 and 1.12
/give @p observer 1 0
Things You Can Build With an Observer
The Observer shows up in a lot of automation builds. Some common uses:
- Automatic farms that detect crop growth and trigger harvesting
- Flying machines, which chain two Observers to keep pistons moving
- Potion traps that fire when a player or mob triggers a block change
- Dropper chains and item sorters that react to block state changes