How to find Gunpowder in Minecraft

Gunpowder can be acquired from 5 different sources: creepers, ghasts, witches, wandering merchants, and chest loot. You can also increase the amount of gunpowder that mobs drop with a looting-enchanted sword.

Creepers are the most common source of gunpowder. They can be found in the overworld, potentially spawning anywhere with a light level of 7 or less. A creeper will drop 0-2 gunpowder when it dies.

Ghasts are a less common source of gunpowder drops. Ghasts are found in the nether, which can only be reached with a nether portal. A ghast will drop 0-2 gunpowder when it dies.

Witches can be found in various places in the overworld. They can spawn in any land-based biomes (except mushroom fields). They can also be found in villages, swamp huts, or as part of an villager raiding party. There is a chance that a witch will drop gunpowder when it dies.

Wandering traders can be found all throughout the world. 1-in-6 wandering traders will sell gunpowder for 1 emerald each.

You can sometimes find gunpowder by looting chests. Chests can be found within dungeons, desert temples, shipwrecks, and woodland mansions. A chest can contain 0-8 gunpowder. The chances that a chest contains gunpowder depends on the location of the chest.

1. Chests in dungeons have a 57.8% chance to contain 1-8 gunpowder.
2. Chests in desert temples have a 59% chance to contain 1-8 gunpowder
3. Chests in shipwrecks have a 22.4% chance to contain 1-5 gunpowder.
4. Chests in woodland mansions have a 57.8% chance to contain 1-8 gunpowder.

Swords can be augmented with the looting enchantment to increase the number of gunpowder (and other items) that mobs drop when killed. The number of gunpowder found will be increased by 1 each level of looting enchantment that affects you (maximum 3). If you are hunting for gunpowder you might consider wielding a looting sword while you do it.

Now you know all the different methods of finding gunpowder. The method you choose will likely be based on circumstance and convenience, but by knowing the sources of gunpowder drops will have a better idea of what to look out for.

Q. Can gunpowder be stacked in my inventory?

A. Yes. You can stack up to 64 gunpowder in a single inventory slot.

Q. What can gunpowder be used for?

A. Gunpowder is used as a crafting ingredient to make fire charges, firework rockets, firework stars, and TNT. It can also be used as a brewing ingredient to brew splash potions.