Toggle menu
Toggle preferences menu
Toggle personal menu
Not logged in
Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits.

Minecraft:Dispenser

From SAS Gaming Wiki
Revision as of 20:20, 9 April 2026 by SyncBot (talk | contribs) (Fix template calls: add MC/ prefix)
(diff) ← Older revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)

Template:Infobox block A dispenser is a low-capacity storage Minecraft:block that can fire projectiles, use certain items or tools or place certain blocks, fluids or entities when given a Minecraft:redstone signal. Items that do not have unique dispenser functions are instead ejected into the world.

Obtaining

Breaking

Dispensers can be mined using a Minecraft:pickaxe, in which case it drops itself and its contents. If mined without a pickaxe, the dispenser drops only its contents. Script error: No such module "breaking row".

Natural generation

Jungle temples

  • Two dispensers are naturally generated in every jungle temple.

Trial chambers

  • Several dispensers can generate inside the trial chambers with random surprises.

Crafting

Template:Crafting

Usage

A dispenser can be used as a container and as a redstone component that dispenses items when activated, with results varying based on the item dispensed. For example, the trap in a jungle pyramid incorporates Minecraft:arrows inside a dispenser, which shoots the arrows when activated.

To place a dispenser, {{#vardefine: control | right click on mouse or left trigger on gamepad }}use it while pointing at a surface adjacent to the space it should occupy. A dispenser can be placed so that its output faces in any direction, including up or down. When placed, a dispenser faces the location of the player placing it.

In Java Edition, a dispenser cannot be moved by Minecraft:pistons.

Container

File:Dispenser GUI.png
The GUI of the dispenser.

A dispenser has 9 slots of inventory space.

To open the dispenser GUI, use the {{#vardefine: control | right click on mouse or left trigger on gamepad }}Use Item control. To move items between the dispenser inventory and the player inventory or hotbar while the dispenser GUI is open, drag or shift-click the items. To exit the dispenser GUI, use the

  1. REDIRECT Template:Keys

Template:Redr control.

By default, the GUI of a dispenser is labeled "Dispenser". A dispenser's GUI label can be changed by naming the dispenser in an Minecraft:anvil before placing it, or by using the data command.Template:Only For example, to label a dispenser at (0,64,0) "My Dispenser", use data merge block 0 64 0 {CustomName:'"My Dispenser"'}.

A dispenser can be "locked" by setting the dispenser's lock tag. If a dispenser's lock tag is not blank, the dispenser cannot be accessed except by players holding an item that matches the item predicate in the lock tag. A dispenser's lock tag can be set or unset with the data command. For example, to lock a dispenser at (0,64,0) so that only players holding an item named "My Key" can access the dispenser, use data merge block 0 64 0 {lock:{components:{"custom_name":"My Key"}}}.

Redstone component

{{#vardefine:params|0 }}Template:Hatnote

A dispenser can be used to dispense a randomly selected Minecraft:item out of the ones it contains.

Activation

A dispenser is a redstone mechanism and can be activated by:

  • an adjacent active power component: for example, a redstone torch (except that a redstone torch does not activate a dispenser it is attached to), a block of redstone, a daylight sensor, etc.
  • an adjacent powered conductive block (for example, a block with an active redstone torch under it)
  • a powered redstone repeater or redstone comparator facing the dispenser
  • powered redstone dust configured to point at the dispenser, or on top of it, or a directionless "cross" next to it; a dispenser is not activated by adjacent powered redstone dust that is configured to point in another direction.

Some of these methods can activate a dispenser (in the sense of triggering an action) without powering the dispenser (in the sense of whether the dispenser can power adjacent redstone dust, etc.).

In addition to the methods above, a dispenser can also be activated by quasi-connectivity.Template:Only A dispenser becomes activated if one of the methods above would activate a mechanism component in the block above the dispenser, even if there is no mechanism component there (even if the block above the dispenser is Minecraft:air or a non-conductive block), but only when the dispenser receives a block update (including a redstone update within two blocks of the dispenser).

A dispenser has a 4 game Minecraft:tick (0.2 seconds, barring lag) delay between activation and a response. During this time, additional inputs are ignored.

in Template:Editions, the dispenser can only activate on the input/consumer redstone tick (C-tick).

Behavior

When activated, a dispenser waits for 4 game ticks (0.2 seconds, barring lag) and then ejects one item. The dispenser does not continue to eject items while activated; ejection occurs only on the initial activation (the rising edge of an input signal). To eject multiple items, repeatedly activate the dispenser with a clock circuit.

If multiple slots are occupied by items, a random occupied slot is chosen for ejection. The slot is chosen when an item is ejected, not when the dispenser is initially activated; thus it is possible to move items into or out of a dispenser between its activation and item dispensing.

The effects of being activated vary with the type of ejected item. Most items are thrown in the direction the dispenser is facing as if a player had used the {{#vardefine: control | Q on keyboard or D-pad down on gamepad }}Drop Item control. Other items behave differently when dispensed, as described in the table below. In general, a dispenser cannot place blocks into the world, aside for a few exceptions, such as shulker boxes, powder snow, and certain cases where the placed block would do something unusual. When a dispenser uses an item that has durability, such as flint and steel and Minecraft:shears, the item's durability decreases.

Unlike a Minecraft:dropper, a dispenser can't push items inside another container.

Dispenser behavior
Item Effect
  1. REDIRECT Template:ItemLink
  2. REDIRECT Template:ItemLink
Equips on a player, armor stand, skeleton, wither skeleton, stray, bogged, Minecraft:zombie, Minecraft:husk, pillager, drowned, vindicator, Minecraft:villagerTemplate:Only<ref>Template:Bug</ref>, Minecraft:piglin or zombified piglin within the block the dispenser is facing with empty appropriate armor slot (any armor, made from any material).

in Template:Editions, zombies can only be equipped if they are capable of picking up items.<ref>Template:Bug</ref>

  1. REDIRECT Template:ItemLink
Placed as an entity in the block the dispenser is facing.Template:Only<ref>Template:Bug</ref>
  1. REDIRECT Template:ItemLink
  2. REDIRECT Template:ItemLinkTemplate:Only
  3. REDIRECT Template:ItemLink
Fired in the direction the dispenser is facing.
  1. REDIRECT Template:ItemLink
  2. REDIRECT Template:ItemLink
Placed as an entity (i.e., a right-clickable vehicle) in the block the dispenser is facing, if the dispenser is facing the water or an empty block above water — otherwise dropped.<ref name="LousyDispensers">Template:Bug</ref>
  1. REDIRECT Template:ItemLink
  2. REDIRECT Template:ItemLinkTemplate:Only
Uses bone meal (as fertilizer) or super fertilizer on the block the dispenser is facing, if possible. If the block faced does not react to fertilizers, no bone meal or super fertilizer is used.
  1. REDIRECT Template:ItemLink
  2. REDIRECT Template:ItemLink
  3. REDIRECT Template:ItemLinkTemplate:Only
  4. REDIRECT Template:ItemLink
  5. REDIRECT Template:ItemLink
  6. REDIRECT Template:ItemLink
  7. REDIRECT Template:ItemLink
Thrown in the direction the dispenser is facing as if the player had right-clicked the item in their inventory. Splash potions and lingering potions are fired farther.
  1. REDIRECT Template:ItemLink
Collects lava or water source block the dispenser is facing, adding the newly filled bucket to an empty slot in the dispenser's inventory. If there isn't room in the dispenser for the newly-filled bucket (i.e. the empty bucket was part of a stack and all other slots in the dispenser are also full), drops the filled bucket. If no source block is in front of the dispenser, drops an empty bucket.<ref name="LousyDispensers"/>
  1. REDIRECT Template:ItemLink
Launches fireball (as if produced by a blaze) in the direction the dispenser is facing. When a dispensed fireball hits a mob (including a player) or a block, the mob or block is set on fire. When a dispensed fireball hits a Minecraft:boat or Minecraft:minecart, the vehicle is destroyed and drops itself as an item.
  1. REDIRECT Template:ItemLink
Launches in the direction the dispenser is facing. It can be used to inflict damage if it was crafted with stars.
  1. REDIRECT Template:ItemLink
If the dispenser is facing an air block and having an available block below this air block, places fire in the air block. If the dispenser is facing Minecraft:TNT, it ignites the TNT. If the dispenser is facing an extinguished Minecraft:campfire, the campfire is ignited. Otherwise, does nothing.
  1. REDIRECT Template:ItemLink
  2. REDIRECT Template:ItemLink
  3. REDIRECT Template:ItemLink
  4. REDIRECT Template:ItemLink
  5. REDIRECT Template:ItemLink
  6. REDIRECT Template:ItemLink
  7. REDIRECT Template:ItemLink
  8. REDIRECT Template:ItemLink
  9. REDIRECT Template:ItemLink
Places lava or water in the block the dispenser is facing (replacing the lava or water bucket in the dispenser with an empty bucket) if the block the dispenser is facing is one that the player could use lava or water buckets on (e.g., Minecraft:air, Minecraft:flowers, grass, etc. — doesn't work with a Minecraft:cauldron<ref>Template:Bug</ref>) — otherwise the bucket is dropped.<ref name="LousyDispensers"/> Water dispensed in Minecraft:the Nether disappears instantly, leaving only the empty bucket in the dispenser. If the bucket contains an axolotl or fish, the mob is spawned along with the block of water. A dispenser can place or remove powder snow in the block in front of where the dispenser is facing.
  1. REDIRECT Template:EntityLink
  2. REDIRECT Template:EntityLink
  3. REDIRECT Template:EntityLink
  4. REDIRECT Template:EntityLink
  5. REDIRECT Template:EntityLink
  6. REDIRECT Template:EntityLink
Placed as an entity (i.e., a right-clickable vehicle) in the block the dispenser is facing, if the dispenser is facing a type of rails — otherwise dropped.<ref name="LousyDispensers"/>
  1. redirect Template:blockLink

Template:Redr

  1. redirect Template:blockLink

Template:Redr

If placement completes the construction of an iron golem, snow golem, or Minecraft:wither, the entity is created as if constructed by a player. If the difficulty is set to peaceful, dispensers never place wither skeleton skulls. Equips on a player, Minecraft:mob (with exceptions), or armor stand with an empty helmet slot, within the block the dispenser is facing. Otherwise, does nothing.

Placement of wither skulls fails under water, even though withers can be manually built under water.

  1. redirect Template:blockLink

Template:Redr

Placed as a block.
Spawn egg Summons a mob in front of the dispenser.
  1. redirect Template:blockLink

Template:Redr

  1. redirect Template:blockLink

Template:RedrTemplate:Only

Summons a TNT entity in the block the dispenser is facing, with upward motion and a small velocity in a random horizontal direction.
  1. REDIRECT Template:ItemLink
Thrown in the direction the dispenser is facing.Template:Only​{{#vardefine: $version | java Combat Tests

}}{{#vardefine: $version2 | }}<upcoming: Template:Version link & Template:Version link></upcoming: Template:Version link & Template:Version link>

  1. REDIRECT Template:ItemLink
Unleash leashed mobs that is in the block in front of it.

Shear any bogged, sheep, snow golem, mooshroom, or sulfur cube​{{#vardefine: $version | }}{{#vardefine: $version2 | }}<upcoming: Template:Version link & Template:Version link></upcoming: Template:Version link & Template:Version link> that is in the block in front of it.
Harvests Minecraft:honeycombs from a full Minecraft:beehive or bee nest.

  1. REDIRECT Template:ItemLink
Fills bottle with water if the dispenser is facing a water source block or with honey if the dispenser is facing a full beehive or bee nest. If there is no room for the newly-filled bottle (i.e. there are no empty slots in the dispenser), drops the filled bottle.
If the dispenser is facing anything else, the empty glass bottle is dropped.<ref name="LousyDispensers"/><ref>Template:Snap</ref>
  1. REDIRECT Template:ItemLink
Place horse armor on any tamed horse or zombie horse that is in the block in front of it.
  1. REDIRECT Template:ItemLink
Place nautilus armor on any tamed nautilus or zombie nautilus that is in the block in front of it.
  1. REDIRECT Template:ItemLink
Place a saddle on any pig, strider, camel, camel husk, tamed horse, donkey, mule, zombie horse, skeleton horse,Template:Only nautilus, or zombie nautilus that is in the block in front of it.
  1. REDIRECT Template:ItemLink
Place a harness on any happy ghast that is in the block in front of it.
  1. redirect Template:blockLink

Template:Redr

Place a carpet on any tamed llama that is in the block in front of it.
  1. redirect Template:blockLink

Template:Redr

Place a chest on any tamed llama, donkey, or mule that is in the block in front of it.
  1. redirect Template:blockLink

Template:Redr

Charges any empty or partially filled respawn anchor. If facing a full respawn anchor, it does nothing.
  1. REDIRECT Template:ItemLink
Wax any copper block that is in the block in front of it.
  1. REDIRECT Template:ItemLink
Turns Minecraft:dirt, coarse dirt, and rooted dirt into Minecraft:mud.
  1. REDIRECT Template:ItemLink
Brushes an armadillo in front of the dispenser.
Others Q on keyboard or D-pad down on gamepad }}drop item control.

When a dispenser dispenses an item, it emits a clicking sound (unless the item is a projectile or a spawn egg) and a smoke particle. If it is empty when activated, it emits a slightly higher-pitched click. The noise of a dispenser can be heard up to 16 blocks away.

A dispenser is a conductive block, so powering it directly can cause adjacent mechanism components (including other dispensers) to activate as well.

Sounds

Generic

Template:Edition: Template:Sound table/Block/Stone/JE

Template:Edition: Template:Sound table/Block/Stone/BE

Unique

  1. REDIRECT Template:Edition

Template:Rcat: Template:SoundTable

  1. REDIRECT Template:Edition

Template:Rcat: Template:SoundTable

Data values

ID

Template:!((Java EditionTemplate:))!: Template:ID table Template:ID table

Template:!((Bedrock EditionTemplate:))!: Template:ID table Template:ID table

Block states

{{#vardefine:params|0 }}Template:Hatnote <section begin="block states"/>

  1. REDIRECT Template:Edition

Template:Rcat: Template:Bst Template:Bst

  1. REDIRECT Template:Edition

Template:Rcat: Template:Bst Template:Bst<section end="block states"/>

Block data

A dispenser has a block entity associated with it that holds additional data about the block.

  1. REDIRECT Template:Edition

Template:Rcat: {{#vardefine:params|0 }}Template:Hatnote

<section begin="block data"/>

  1. REDIRECT Template:Nbt inherit/lockable
  1. REDIRECT Template:Nbt inherit/lootable
    • Template:Nbt/sprite Items: List of items in this container. Represents the Template:DCL component. The component is still present on the block entity, even if the tag does not exist (due to a loot table existing instead).

<section end="block data"/>

  1. REDIRECT Template:Edition

Template:Rcat:

See Minecraft:Bedrock Edition level format/Block entity format.

Achievements

Script error: No such module "Achievement".

Videos

History

Development

Template:HistoryTable

Java Edition

Template:HistoryTable

Bedrock Edition

Template:HistoryTable

Legacy Console Edition

Template:HistoryTable

New Nintendo 3DS Edition

Template:HistoryTable

Historical images

Data history

Template:HistoryTable

Issues

Script error: No such module "Issue list".

Trivia

  • A dispenser was shown inside a minecart in one of the Java Edition 1.5 teaser images, although this was never added to the game.
  • Dispensers resemble a face when not facing up or down, a fact which is briefly brought up by Axel in {{#vardefine: e |The Order of the Stone}}Template:MCSM.

Gallery

Renders

Java Edition

Bedrock Edition

Screenshots

In other media

See also

Some other blocks can also be used to move items:

  • Minecraft:Droppers can throw items or push them into adjacent containers.
  • Minecraft:Hoppers can push items into adjacent containers.
  • Minecraft:Ice, packed ice, and blue ice have reduced friction to the item entity movement.
  • Slime blocks can impart velocity to item entities when pushed by a piston.
  • Minecraft:Water can push item entities.
  • Quasi-connectivity applies to dispensers.

Notes

Template:Notelist

References

<references group="">

 </references>

External links

Navigation

Power emission
Signal transmission
Item and entity transportation
Comparator-readable
Observer-related
Pistons/related
Sculk sensor-related
Mechanisms/misc.
Creative or commands only

Template:Article other

Wood/Hypha
Stone-based
Template:EnvLink
Upcoming
Template:EnvLink
Template:EnvLink
Ore/Mineral
Decorative
Partial Blocks
Dyeable/Dyed
Lighting
Template:Els only
Sediment/Soil
Misc. rock
Ore/Mineral
Plant
Flower
Fungus & Related
Fauna & Related
Aquatic
Sculk
Fluid & Related
Non-physical
Interactable
Utilizable
Redstone/
Mechanical
Template:Els only
April Fools 2013
April Fools 2016
April Fools 2020
April Fools 2022
April Fools 2023
April Fools 2024
April Fools 2025
April Fools 2026

Template:Article otherTemplate:Article other

cs:Dávkovač de:Werfer es:Dispensador fr:Distributeur hu:Adagoló it:Distributore ja:ディスペンサー ko:발사기 nl:Dispenser pl:Dozownik pt:Ejetor ru:Раздатчик uk:Роздавач zh:发射器