Minecraft:Block entity

A block entity (also known as a tile entity) is an additional object associated with certain Minecraft:blocks.

Usage

Block entities can store additional information about their block, beyond the finite set of Minecraft:block states that a block may have. For example, all blocks that can store items use a block entity for this purpose. Block entities can also tick, running code regularly while loaded, even when not interacted with directly. Complex rendering not available to normal Minecraft:block models is also achieved with block entities. Blocks with block entities can be moved by Minecraft:pistons Template:In, but not Template:In.

List of block entities

These are the current blocks that hold block entities.

Block Entity	Usage
Template:BlockLink Template:BlockLink	Stores Minecraft:bees and their entity data. Ticks regularly to determine when the bees should exit.
Template:BlockLink Template:BlockLink Template:BlockLinkTemplate:Only Template:BlockLinkTemplate:Only Template:BlockLinkTemplate:Only	Stores written text. Renders the text and the sign itself.
Template:BlockLink Template:BlockLink	Stores the Minecraft:redstone signal strength. Listens for nearby vibrations.
Template:BlockLink	Stores xp levels. Listens for nearby deaths, and spreads charges.
Template:BlockLink	Stores the number of activations. Listens for nearby vibrations.
Template:BlockLink	Stores colorTemplate:Only, the patterns, and a custom name. Renders the banner with its patterns.
Template:BlockLink Template:BlockLink Template:BlockLink Template:BlockLink Template:BlockLink Template:BlockLink Template:BlockLink Template:BlockLink Template:BlockLink	Stores its contents and a custom name for the interface. For Minecraft:chests, Minecraft:trapped chests and Minecraft:shulker boxes, renders the opening and closing animation. For Minecraft:decorated pots, renders the wobble animation.
Template:BlockLink Template:BlockLink Template:BlockLink Template:BlockLink Template:BlockLink Template:BlockLink	Stores its contents, the cooking and fuel times, and a custom name for the interface. Ticks regularly to advance the cooking time. For Minecraft:campfires, renders the contained items.
Template:BlockLink	Stores its contents, the transfer cooldown, and a custom name for the interface. Ticks regularly to advance the cooldown and search for items to pull.
Template:BlockLink	Stores the page the book is currently on. Renders the book.
Template:BlockLink	Stores its contents, which slots are disabled and the crafting cooldown. Ticks regularly to advance the cooldown.
Template:BlockLink	Stores the pyramid level, active Minecraft:effects, and contents. Ticks regularly to check for a valid pyramid, and apply effects to nearby players. Renders the Minecraft:beacon beam.
Template:BlockLink	Stores the UUID of the transient creaking associated with this creaking heart.
Template:BlockLink Template:BlockLink	Stores: - the entity to be spawned - the delay until the next entity is spawned, and the min and max values for the next spawn delay - how many entities to spawn per spawn attempt - additional data about the entity to be spawned (such as equipment, and Minecraft:status effects) - the loot reward for the trial spawner Ticks regularly to advance its cooldown, check for spawn conditions, and spawn mobs. Renders the spinning entity inside.
Template:BlockLink	Stores its loot configuration and tracked players. Renders the spinning items inside.
Template:BlockLinkTemplate:Only	Stores the note to be played.
Template:BlockLinkTemplate:Only Template:BlockLinkTemplate:Only	Stores the contained Minecraft:item. Renders the item.
Template:BlockLink Template:BlockLink	Stores the offset of block, and blocks that it should move or Minecraft:break.Template:Only Also stores the moving process.
Template:BlockLink	Stores the offset of blockTemplate:Only, direction of movementTemplate:Only, and ID of the moving block. Renders the block.
Template:BlockLink	Stores the contained Minecraft:music discs. Regularly ticks to end the song when time has elapsed.
Template:BlockLink	Stores a custom name for the interface. Renders the book animation.
Template:BlockLink Template:BlockLink	Stores the destination location. Renders the block.
Template:BlockLink Template:BlockLink Template:BlockLink Template:BlockLink Template:BlockLink Template:BlockLink Template:BlockLink	For Minecraft:player heads, stores the player's skin information. Renders the block.
Template:BlockSprite Template:BlockSprite Template:BlockSprite Minecraft:Command Block	Stores the Minecraft:command text, its output strength, and the output text.
Template:BlockSprite Template:BlockSprite Template:BlockSprite Template:BlockSprite Minecraft:Structure Block	Stores information about the structure.
Template:BlockLink	Stores the structure pool and the block this jigsaw block becomes.
Template:BlockLinkTemplate:Only	Stores whether the reaction started and the time remaining in the reaction.
Template:BlockLink	Ticks regularly to update its output signal strength.
Template:BlockLinkTemplate:Only	Stores the ID and the data value of the block displayed inside of it.
Template:BlockLink	Stores its output strength.
Template:BlockLinkTemplate:Until	Stores its colorTemplate:Only. Renders the block.
Template:BlockLinkTemplate:Only	Stores details about liquid content. Cauldrons containing dyed water store water color. Cauldrons containing potions store the potion's ID and a tag of whether it is a splash potion or not.
Template:BlockLink	Ticks regularly to check its activation area for valid activation blocks and apply effects to nearby players. Renders the block.
Template:BlockLink	Ticks regularly to apply the Minecraft:glowing effect to nearby raiders when used. Renders the swaying animation.
Template:BlockLinkTemplate:Only	To link with a Minecraft:compass.
Template:BlockLink Template:BlockLink	Stores the Minecraft:loot table and contents. Renders the item while brushing.
Template:BlockLinkTemplate:Only Template:BlockLinkTemplate:Only Template:BlockLinkTemplate:Only Template:BlockLinkTemplate:Only	Stores the items in the lab table and the process of lab experiment.
Template:BlockLink	Renders the opening and closing animation.
Template:BlockLink	Stores and renders items. Stores whether items should be centered or aligned to the bottom.
Template:BlockLink	Renders the block. Stores the golem's custom name.

Render limits

Block entity rendering stops beyond a hard-coded block limit which is modeled after the radius of a sphere. This limit is not affected by the Render Distance nor the Entity Distance scale in the Minecraft:Video Settings.

Some effects related to block entities stop rendering beyond a different number of blocks:

• The Minecraft:beacon and end gateway beams stop rendering beyond 256 blocks Template:In or 64 blocks Template:In or when the end gateway is out of frame.
• The outlines created by a Minecraft:structure block stop rendering beyond 96 blocks.

See also

• Minecraft:Block entity format – describes the save format for block entities
• Minecraft:Entities, which are all the dynamic, moving objects throughout the Minecraft world, plus several non-moving objects that resemble blocks.
• Minecraft:Block states, which are, like block entities, extra pieces of data that further define a block.