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    How to make a lantern in Minecraft: Complete tutorial

    Lanterns in Minecraft give off that cozy vibe.

    ON THIS PAGE:

    • What is a lantern in Minecraft?
    • How to craft a lantern in Minecraft
    • How to use lanterns in Minecraft
    • How to craft prismarine lanterns in Minecraft
    • Jack o'Lantern Minecraft recipe
    • How to make a soul lantern in Minecraft
    • Do soul lanterns melt snow?
    • Do lanterns melt snow in Minecraft?
    • What is the difference between a lantern and a soul lantern?
    • Are lanterns better than torches in Minecraft?
    lantern
    Written By Onur Demirkol

    (Content Writer)

    Reviewed by: Naim Rosinski

    (Content Manager & Editor)

    Last UpdatedApril 6, 2025 at 11:40AM
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    It becomes very dark at night in Minecraft. Light sources help shape builds that feel secure and bright. Many players favor lanterns because they shine clearly and are easy to craft. Lanterns fit well in homes, farms, and hidden bases. In this piece, you will find step-by-step guides on making lanterns, soul lanterns, prismarine lanterns, and Jack o’Lanterns in Minecraft!

    What is a lantern in Minecraft?

    A lantern is a block that gives off light. It brightens dark areas and adds a decorative touch to structures. The lantern produces a light level of 15, which makes it one of the strongest light sources. Players often use lanterns on top of blocks or hang them from ceilings. They appear in many builds, such as farms, villages, modern houses, and many other Minecraft house ideas.

    How to craft a lantern in Minecraft

    Lanterns are much needed yet very easy to craft. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make a lantern in Minecraft:

    Open the Crafting Menu

    • Use a crafting table. You will see a 3x3 grid.

    Arrange the Items

    1. You need 8 iron nuggets and 1 torch.
    2. Place the items in the grid as follows:
    3. Top Row: Place an iron nugget in each of the three slots.
    4. Middle Row: Place an iron nugget in the left slot, a torch in the center slot, and an iron nugget in the right slot.
    5. Bottom Row: Place an iron nugget in each of the three slots.
    6. Make sure you follow this pattern exactly.
    Here is how to make a regular lantern in Minecraft (Image Credit: Screengrab via Minecraft)
    Here is how to make a regular lantern in Minecraft (Image Credit: Screengrab via Minecraft)

    Craft the Lantern

    • The lantern appears in the result box when the items are arranged correctly.

    Move the Lantern to Your Inventory

    • Drag the lantern from the result box into your inventory.

    How to use lanterns in Minecraft

    Lanterns offer both function and style in Minecraft. They light up dark areas and add charm to your house designs. Consider these points when you use lanterns:

    Light Output

    • Lanterns produce a light level of 15.
    • They help prevent hostile mobs from appearing in dark places.

    Placement Options

    • You can place lanterns on top of solid blocks.
    • You can hang them from ceilings.
    • Some placements require you to stand close to the block.

    Decorative Uses

    • Lanterns add a warm look to paths and doorways.
    • They enhance both indoor and outdoor builds.
    • Players use lanterns as lamp posts in villages and farms.

    Environmental Effects

    • Lanterns melt snow slowly.
    • When the block that supports a lantern is removed, the lantern drops as an item.
    • This drop helps you recover your light source if you change your build.

    How to craft prismarine lanterns in Minecraft

    Prismarine lantern is actually the “sea lantern” in Minecraft but many people call it this way because of its shape. This lantern helps you brighten underwater. Here is how to make it:

    Prismarine (Sea) Lantern (Image Credit: r/Minecraft)
    Prismarine (Sea) Lantern (Image Credit: r/Minecraft)

    Open Your Crafting Table

    • Use the 3x3 grid that appears on the crafting table.

    Gather the Materials

    • You need prismarine shards.
    • You need a torch or another light source.

    Arrange the Items

    1. Place the prismarine shards in the grid following the same pattern as the regular lantern.
    2. Keep the torch in the center of the grid.
    3. Ensure the layout is exact, with three shards in the top row, one shard in the left slot of the middle row, the torch in the center, one shard in the right slot, and three shards in the bottom row.

    Craft and Collect

    1. The prismarine lantern appears in the result box.
    2. Drag the prismarine lantern into your inventory.
    Here is how to make a prismarine lantern in Minecraft (Image Credit: Screengrab via Minecraft)
    Here is how to make a prismarine lantern in Minecraft (Image Credit: Screengrab via Minecraft)

    Jack o'Lantern Minecraft recipe

    Who doesn’t like Halloween? Jack o'Lantern is one of the biggest indicators that Halloween is either on the way or underway and Minecraft developers let players enjoy it with festive lanterns in the game. Follow this step-by-step guide to craft Jack o'Lantern in Minecraft:

    Jack o’Lantern (Image Credit: Minecraft)
    Jack o’Lantern (Image Credit: Minecraft)

    Open the Crafting Menu

    • Use the crafting table to see the 3x3 grid.

    Arrange the Items

    1. You need a carved pumpkin and a torch.
    2. In the grid: Place the carved pumpkin in the middle slot of the top row.
    3. Place the torch in the middle slot of the second row.
    4. Do not add any other items in the grid.

    Craft the Jack o’Lantern

    • The Jack o’Lantern appears in the result box when the items are in the correct spots.

    Move to Your Inventory

    • Drag the jack o’lantern into your inventory.
    Here is how to make a Jack o'Lantern in Minecraft (Image Credit: Screengrab via Minecraft)
    Here is how to make a Jack o'Lantern in Minecraft (Image Credit: Screengrab via Minecraft)

    How to make a soul lantern in Minecraft

    Making a soul lantern is almost the same as crafting a regular lantern. Here are the steps:

    Soul Lantern (Image Credit: r/Minecraft)
    Soul Lantern (Image Credit: r/Minecraft)

    Open the Crafting Table

    • Open your crafting table. You see a 3x3 grid with nine empty slots.
    • Use this grid to place your items in the correct order.

    Place the Required Items

    1. Gather 8 iron nuggets and 1 soul torch.
    2. In the top row, place one iron nugget in each of the three slots.
    3. In the middle row, place one iron nugget in the left slot, the soul torch in the center slot, and one iron nugget in the right slot.
    4. In the bottom row, place one iron nugget in each of the three slots.
    5. Check that you have followed the pattern exactly. The correct layout is very important.

    Craft the Soul Lantern

    1. When the items are arranged correctly, a soul lantern appears in the result box.
    2. The soul lantern shows up clearly when the pattern is right.

    Move the Soul Lantern to Your Inventory

    1. Drag the soul lantern from the result box into your inventory.
    2. Your new soul lantern is now ready for use in your builds.
    Here is how to make a soul lantern in Minecraft (Image Credit: Screengrab via Minecraft)
    Here is how to make a soul lantern in Minecraft (Image Credit: Screengrab via Minecraft)

    Do soul lanterns melt snow?

    Soul lanterns do not melt snow or ice. Their light level is lower than that of regular lanterns. This difference keeps snow and ice intact around them. Players choose soul lanterns when they want to preserve the snowy look of their builds.

    Do lanterns melt snow in Minecraft?

    Yes, lanterns melt snow in Minecraft. They melt snow blocks that are 1 or 2 blocks away. They also melt ice blocks that are 1 to 3 blocks away. The game measures this by block distance in straight lines, not diagonals.

    Lanterns give strong light, so they can clear snow near them. If you build in a snowy area, this helps keep your place clear. But the effect works only in a small area. If you want to melt more snow, you need to use more lanterns.

    What is the difference between a lantern and a soul lantern?

    There are a couple of differences between a lantern and a soul lantern in Minecraft. Here is a detailed look at both items:

    Feature

    Lantern

    Soul Lantern

    Light Level

    Emits a light level of 15

    Emits a light level of 10

    Snow Melting

    Melts snow slowly

    Does not melt snow or ice

    Piglin Interaction

    No effect on piglins

    Repels piglins

    Placement Options

    Can be placed on top or hung

    Can be placed on top or hung

    Style

    Classic design for many builds

    Unique design with a subtle glow

     

    Are lanterns better than torches in Minecraft?

    Lanterns and torches both give light in Minecraft, but they work differently. This table compares them based on five important things:

    Feature

    Torch

    Lantern

    Light Strength

    Gives light level 14

    Gives light level 15

    Crafting

    Needs 1 stick and 1 coal or charcoal

    Needs 1 torch and 8 iron nuggets

    Look

    Looks basic

    Looks better and more detailed

    Placement

    Can go on walls and blocks

    Can go on blocks or hang from chains

    Use

    Good for quick lighting

    Good for building and decoration

    Torches are cheap and easy to use. They are great for survival mode. Lanterns cost more, but they look better and shine a little brighter. If you want quick light, use torches. If you want nice design, use lanterns.

    Good lighting changes every Minecraft build. You will need to see where you are heading and be aware of your surroundings, especially at home. They help keep dangerous mobs away and brighten dark areas. Use these easy instructions to craft lanterns, prismarine lanterns, soul lanterns, and jack o’lanterns. Check out these guides too:

    • Saddle recipe in Minecraft: Is it craftable?
    • Get your Minecraft shield recipe before heading into danger
    • Minecraft barrel recipe: A better storage option than chests?
    • Minecraft anvil recipe & 5 reasons it's worth the iron
    • Minecraft book recipe with book and quill, bookshelf, and more

    Featured Image Credit: Minecraft

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    Onur Demirkol

    Onur Demirkol here, content writer for THESPIKEGG. I have been around for a very long time now, you may have seen me in the comments.

    I started writing here in 2021, but my first gig was back in 2018. That was when I realized people actually get paid to write about games. I’ve written thousands of articles for different media outlets, led teams, and conducted interviews with players.

    When I’m not behind the keyboard, I’m watching Galatasaray, following the NBA, or pretending I’m still good at basketball. I also work full-time at AnyDesk, writing serious things in not-so-serious ways.

    If you want to reach out, feel free to contact me on X, LinkedIn, take a look at my work at MuckRack or send me an email at [email protected].

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