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A tripwire hook is a block that emits a redstone signal when it is part of a valid tripwire circuit and it gets triggered by an entity.

Obtaining[]

Breaking[]

Tripwire hooks can be broken instantly using any tool, or without a tool.

A tripwire hook is also removed and drops itself as an item if:

  • its attachment block is moved, removed, or destroyed
  • water flows into its space in Java Edition
  • a piston tries to push it or moves a block into its space

A tripwire hook is destroyed without dropping itself as an item if lava flows into its space.

Natural generation[]

Four tripwire hooks are generated naturally in each jungle temple.

Chest loot[]

Item Structure Container Quantity Chance
Java Edition
Tripwire Hook Pillager Outpost Chest 1–3 30.5%
Bedrock Edition
Tripwire Hook Pillager Outpost Chest 1–3 30.5%

Crafting[]

Ingredients Crafting recipe
Iron Ingot +
Stick +
Any Planks

2

Fishing[]

Tripwire hooks can be obtained as a "junk" item from fishing.

Usage[]

Tripwire hooks can be used as crafting ingredients or as redstone circuit components.

Crafting ingredient[]

Tripwire hooks can be used to craft trapped chests and crossbows.

Name Ingredients Crafting recipe
Crossbow Stick +
Iron Ingot +
String +
Tripwire Hook

Trapped Chest Tripwire Hook +
Chest


Redstone component[]

See also: Redstone circuit

A tripwire hook can be used to detect mobs, items, and other entities over a large area.

Placement
To place a tripwire hook, use the Place Block control.
In order to function correctly, a tripwire hook must be part of a "tripwire circuit": a straight line of blocks consisting of a block with a tripwire hook attached to it, a "tripwire line" (1 to 40 blocks of tripwire), and a second tripwire hook attached to another block, with both tripwire hooks facing the tripwire.
To place tripwire, use the Place Block control with a string. Tripwire in a valid tripwire circuit has a short hitbox (0.09375 or 3/32 blocks high, with the bottom 0.0625 or 1/16 blocks above the block below), while tripwire not in a valid tripwire circuit has a taller hitbox (0.5 blocks high, bottom not raised).
A tripwire hook in an invalid tripwire circuit appears "folded", while a tripwire hook in a valid tripwire circuit appears extended straight. Tripwire lines from separate tripwire circuits can be placed next to each other (in parallel), above each other, and even intersecting each other.
Activation
A tripwire hook in a valid tripwire circuit activates when certain entities (players, mobs, items, etc.) intersect the tripwire hook's tripwire line "hitbox" (but not the tripwire hook itself), and deactivates when all entities leave or are removed from the tripwire line.
Entities that cannot activate a tripwire circuit include thrown potions, some arrows, fireworks, thrown ender pearls, and thrown eyes of ender.
A tripwire hook also activates for 5 redstone ticks (0.5 seconds, barring lag) when any of its tripwires are destroyed, except when shears are used to destroy the tripwire.
Breaking the tripwire hook, or breaking the block it is attached to, does not generate a pulse.
Behavior
Tripwire hook as power source

The tripwire hooks and the blocks they are attached to provide power, but the tripwire does not.

While active, a tripwire hook appears to move downward and it:
Tripwire produces no power itself, but its state change can be detected with an observer.
Although destroying tripwire with shears cannot activate a tripwire hook, it changes the tripwire hook's block state (its "attached" state from true to false), which can be detected with an observer.

Trading[]

Master-level fletcher villagers have a 23 chance to buy 8 tripwire hooks for an emerald as part of their trades in Java Edition, and always offer the trade in Bedrock Edition.

Sounds[]

Generic[]

Java Edition:

SoundSubtitlesSourceDescriptionResource locationTranslation keyVolumePitchAttenuation
distance
Block brokenBlocksOnce the block has brokenblock.wood.breaksubtitles.block.generic.break1.00.816
Block placedBlocksWhen the block is placedblock.wood.placesubtitles.block.generic.place1.00.816
Block breakingBlocksWhile the block is in the process of being brokenblock.wood.hitsubtitles.block.generic.hit0.250.516
None[sound 1]Entity-DependentFalling on the block with fall damageblock.wood.fallNone[sound 1]0.50.7516
FootstepsEntity-DependentWalking on the blockblock.wood.stepsubtitles.block.generic.footsteps0.151.016
  1. a b MC-177082

Bedrock Edition:

SoundSourceDescriptionResource locationVolumePitch
BlocksOnce the block has brokendig.stone1.00.8-1.0
BlocksWhen the block is placeddig.stone1.00.8-1.0
BlocksWhile the block is in the process of being brokenhit.stone0.27 [sound 1]0.5
PlayersFalling on the block with fall damagefall.stone0.41.0
PlayersWalking on the blockstep.stone0.31.0
PlayersJumping from the blockjump.stone0.121.0
PlayersFalling on the block without fall damageland.stone0.221.0
  1. MCPE-169612 — Many blocks make very slightly different sounds to stone

Unique[]

Java Edition:

SoundSubtitlesSourceDescriptionResource locationTranslation keyVolumePitchAttenuation
distance
Tripwire attachesBlocksWhen a tripwire line is completedblock.tripwire.attachsubtitles.block.tripwire.attach0.40.716
Tripwire clicksBlocksWhen a tripwire line deactivatesblock.tripwire.click_offsubtitles.block.tripwire.click0.40.516
Tripwire clicksBlocksWhen a tripwire line activatesblock.tripwire.click_onsubtitles.block.tripwire.click0.40.616
Tripwire detachesBlocksWhen a tripwire hook in a tripwire line is destroyedblock.tripwire.detachsubtitles.block.tripwire.detach0.41211-4316

Bedrock Edition:

SoundSourceDescriptionResource locationVolumePitch
BlocksWhen a tripwire line is completedblock.click0.20.7
BlocksWhen a tripwire line deactivatesrandom.click0.20.5
BlocksWhen a tripwire line activatesrandom.click0.20.6
BlocksWhen a tripwire hook in a tripwire line is destroyedblock.bowhit0.41.1-1.33

Data values[]

ID[]

Java Edition:

NameIdentifierFormTranslation key
Tripwire Hooktripwire_hookBlock & Itemblock.minecraft.tripwire_hook

Bedrock Edition:

NameIdentifierNumeric ID FormItem ID[i 1]Translation key
Tripwire Hooktripwire_hook131Block & Giveable Item[i 2]Identical[i 3]tile.tripwire_hook.name
  1. ID of block's direct item form, which is used in savegame files and addons.
  2. Available with /give command.
  3. The block's direct item form has the same id as the block.

Block states[]

See also: Block states

Java Edition:

Name Default value Allowed values Description
attachedfalsefalse
true
True if the tripwire hook is connected to a valid tripwire circuit.
facingnortheast
north
south
west
The direction in which the tripwire hook juts out from the block it is attached to.
For example, a tripwire hook facing north is attached to a block to its south.
poweredfalsefalse
true
True if the tripwire hook is active.

Bedrock Edition:

NameMetadata Bits Default value Allowed valuesValues for
Metadata Bits
Description
attached_bit0x4falsefalse
true
0
1
True if the tripwire hook is connected to a valid tripwire circuit.
direction0x1
0x2
00
1
2
3
0
1
2
3
The direction in which the tripwire hook juts out from the block it is attached to.
  • 0: Tripwire hook on block side facing south
  • 1: Tripwire hook on block side facing west
  • 2: Tripwire hook on block side facing north
  • 3: Tripwire hook on block side facing east
powered_bit0x8falsefalse
true
0
1
True if the tripwire hook is active.

Video[]

Note: This video does not show the tripwire hook obtained from fishing, or its crafting usage.

History[]

This section is missing information about
  • Potential ring placement changes between powered and powered attached
  • Check if the string was still dashed directly before 14w11a. 
Please expand the section to include this information. Further details may exist on the talk page.
Java Edition
1.3.1May 28, 2012Dinnerbone released a series of cryptic tweets, starting with "I think I'm taking a big liking toward adventure maps. It's starting to show in my choice of new blocks."[1] He hinted at shears being used to disable the tripwire,[2] then posted a series of images[3][4][5] before revealing the name.[6] Afterward, he posted a video[7] to reveal the functionality of the tripwire and finally credited the idea to his fiancee MissMarzenia.[8]
12w22aTripwire Hook (N) JE1 Attached Tripwire Hook (N) JE1 Powered Tripwire Hook (N) JE1 Powered Attached Tripwire Hook (N) JE1
Tripwire Hook (E) JE1 Attached Tripwire Hook (E) JE1 Powered Tripwire Hook (E) JE1 Powered Attached Tripwire Hook (E) JE1
Tripwire Hook (S) JE1 Attached Tripwire Hook (S) JE1 Powered Tripwire Hook (S) JE1 Powered Attached Tripwire Hook (S) JE1
Tripwire Hook (W) JE1 Attached Tripwire Hook (W) JE1 Powered Tripwire Hook (W) JE1 Powered Attached Tripwire Hook (W) JE1
Tripwire Hook (texture) JE1 BE1 Added tripwire hooks.
1.513w01aTripwire hooks are now used to craft trapped chests.
13w02aAttached Tripwire Hook (N) JE2 Powered Attached Tripwire Hook (N) JE2
Attached Tripwire Hook (E) JE2 Powered Attached Tripwire Hook (E) JE2
Attached Tripwire Hook (S) JE2 Powered Attached Tripwire Hook (S) JE2
Attached Tripwire Hook (W) JE2 Powered Attached Tripwire Hook (W) JE2
When attached to string, the region of string within the space of the tripwire hook is more linear looking, and looks less like the actual tripwire blocks.
1.7.213w36aTripwire hooks can now be obtained as one of the "junk" items by fishing.
1.7.1Acacia planks and dark oak planks can now be used to craft tripwire hooks.
1.814w11aTripwire Hook (N) JE2 Attached Tripwire Hook (N) JE3 Powered Tripwire Hook (N) JE2 Powered Attached Tripwire Hook (N) JE3
Tripwire Hook (E) JE2 Attached Tripwire Hook (E) JE3 Powered Tripwire Hook (E) JE2 Powered Attached Tripwire Hook (E) JE3
Tripwire Hook (S) JE2 Attached Tripwire Hook (S) JE3 Powered Tripwire Hook (S) JE2 Powered Attached Tripwire Hook (S) JE3
Tripwire Hook (W) JE2 Attached Tripwire Hook (W) JE3 Powered Tripwire Hook (W) JE2 Powered Attached Tripwire Hook (W) JE3 The model of tripwire hooks has been slightly changed. The rendering of the stick and hook elements is slightly strange; they can be seen rendering on top of the base plate even when clearly behind it.
The item texture has been changed to Oak Planks (texture) JE4 BE2.[9]
14w11bThe item texture has changed back to Tripwire Hook (texture) JE1 BE1.
14w17aTripwire Hook (N) JE3 Attached Tripwire Hook (N) JE4 Powered Tripwire Hook (N) JE3 Powered Attached Tripwire Hook (N) JE4
Tripwire Hook (E) JE3 Attached Tripwire Hook (E) JE4 Powered Tripwire Hook (E) JE3 Powered Attached Tripwire Hook (E) JE4
Tripwire Hook (S) JE3 Attached Tripwire Hook (S) JE4 Powered Tripwire Hook (S) JE3 Powered Attached Tripwire Hook (S) JE4
Tripwire Hook (W) JE3 Attached Tripwire Hook (W) JE4 Powered Tripwire Hook (W) JE3 Powered Attached Tripwire Hook (W) JE4 The model of tripwire hooks has been changed. The stick is now affected by the Smooth Lighting option, the iron is bigger, and the top, side, and stick textures have been slightly changed.
14w25aTripwire Hook (N) JE4 Attached Tripwire Hook (N) JE5 Powered Tripwire Hook (N) JE4 Powered Attached Tripwire Hook (N) JE5
Tripwire Hook (E) JE4 Attached Tripwire Hook (E) JE5 Powered Tripwire Hook (E) JE4 Powered Attached Tripwire Hook (E) JE5
Tripwire Hook (S) JE4 Attached Tripwire Hook (S) JE5 Powered Tripwire Hook (S) JE4 Powered Attached Tripwire Hook (S) JE5
Tripwire Hook (W) JE4 Attached Tripwire Hook (W) JE5 Powered Tripwire Hook (W) JE4 Powered Attached Tripwire Hook (W) JE5 The ring in the tripwire hook is now affected by ambient occlusion.
1.915w49aThe suspended block state has been removed from tripwire hooks.
1.1317w47aPrior to The Flattening, this block's numeral ID was 131.
1.1418w43aTripwire Hook (N) JE5 Attached Tripwire Hook (N) JE6 Powered Tripwire Hook (N) JE5 Powered Attached Tripwire Hook (N) JE6
Tripwire Hook (E) JE5 Attached Tripwire Hook (E) JE6 Powered Tripwire Hook (E) JE5 Powered Attached Tripwire Hook (E) JE6
Tripwire Hook (S) JE5 Attached Tripwire Hook (S) JE6 Powered Tripwire Hook (S) JE5 Powered Attached Tripwire Hook (S) JE6
Tripwire Hook (W) JE5 Attached Tripwire Hook (W) JE6 Powered Tripwire Hook (W) JE5 Powered Attached Tripwire Hook (W) JE6 The texture of tripwire hooks has been changed.
Tripwire hooks are now used to craft crossbows.
18w47aTripwire Hook (N) JE6 Attached Tripwire Hook (N) JE7 Powered Tripwire Hook (N) JE6 Powered Attached Tripwire Hook (N) JE7
Tripwire Hook (E) JE6 Attached Tripwire Hook (E) JE7 Powered Tripwire Hook (E) JE6 Powered Attached Tripwire Hook (E) JE7
Tripwire Hook (S) JE6 Attached Tripwire Hook (S) JE7 Powered Tripwire Hook (S) JE6 Powered Attached Tripwire Hook (S) JE7
Tripwire Hook (W) JE6 Attached Tripwire Hook (W) JE7 Powered Tripwire Hook (W) JE6 Powered Attached Tripwire Hook (W) JE7 As the planks textures has been changed, the texture of tripwire hooks has been changed, as a result.
19w11aFletcher villagers now buy tripwire hooks.
1.1620w06aCrimson planks and warped planks can now be used to craft tripwire hooks.
20w10aTripwire hooks can now be placed on blocks of redstone, observers and targets.[10]
1.1922w11aMangrove planks can now be used to craft tripwire hooks.
1.20.223w33aTripwire hooks now use wood sounds instead of stone sounds.[11]
Pocket Edition Alpha
v0.13.0build 1Tripwire Hook JE3 BE1[verify] Added tripwire hooks.
Tripwire hooks are used to craft trapped chests.
Bedrock Edition
1.8.0beta 1.8.0.10Tripwire hooks are now used to craft crossbows.
1.10.0beta 1.10.0.3Tripwire Hook JE6 BE2[verify] The texture of tripwire hooks has been changed.
Tripwire hooks can now be found in pillager outpost chests.
1.11.0beta 1.11.0.4Tripwire hooks can now be sold to fletcher villagers.
Legacy Console Edition
TU14CU1 1.04 Patch 1Tripwire Hook JE3 BE1[verify] Added tripwire hooks.
PlayStation 4 Edition
1.90Tripwire Hook JE6 BE2[verify] The texture of tripwire hooks has been changed.
New Nintendo 3DS Edition
0.1.0Tripwire Hook JE3 BE1[verify] Added tripwire hooks.

Issues[]

Issues relating to "Tripwire" are maintained on the bug tracker. Report issues there.

Gallery[]

References[]

  1. "I think I'm taking a big liking toward adventure maps. It's starting to show in my choice of new blocks."@Dinnerbone (Nathan Adams) on X, May 28, 2012
  2. "Experimenting with some new ideas. Perhaps one day we'll see a pair of shears inside every griefers' toolbox."@Dinnerbone (Nathan Adams) on X, May 28, 2012
  3. "That awkward moment when you realize you just spent the last few days unknowingly designing a coat hanger. https://dl.dropbox.com/u/36087083/ZScreen/2012-05/28-Monday--0196.126866331.png …"@Dinnerbone (Nathan Adams) on X, May 28, 2012
  4. "Haha, I kinda see how it looks like a doorbell, too. Maybe if you pull it a golem should come out and yell "YOU RANG?" https://dl.dropbox.com/u/36087083/ZScreen/2012-05/28-Monday--0197.486672066.png …"@Dinnerbone (Nathan Adams) on X, May 28, 2012
  5. "Some people have got it right already, so this should clear up all further confusion and spoil the next update for you https://dl.dropbox.com/u/36087083/ZScreen/2012-05/28-Monday--0198.158946456.png …"@Dinnerbone (Nathan Adams) on X, May 28, 2012
  6. "It's a tripwire, yeah."@Dinnerbone (Nathan Adams) on X, May 28, 2012
  7. "Tripwire Experiments" – Nathan Adams on YouTube, May 28, 3012
  8. "Also, thanks to my wonderful fiancee @MissMarzenia for the idea. Seriously, all credit goes that way."@Dinnerbone (Nathan Adams) on X, May 28, 2012
  9. MC-50948
  10. MC-146824
  11. MC-217629 — "Tripwire hooks use stone sounds, rather than wood" — resolved as "Fixed".

External Links[]

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