TNT Cannon Guide: Power, Angle & Range Math
A TNT cannon fires a “shell” TNT using an explosion of “charge” TNT behind it. Range depends on the number of charge blocks and the launch angle.
The 45° rule
TNT launches farthest at ~45° launch angle on Java. Each charge block adds roughly +14 blocks of range. Power comes from charge count — not from bigger shells.
| Charge TNT | Java range (45°) | Bedrock range (45°) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ~32 blocks | ~30 blocks |
| 2 | ~46 blocks | ~44 blocks |
| 3 | ~60 blocks | ~57 blocks |
| 4 | ~74 blocks | ~70 blocks |
Build steps
- Build a trench 2 blocks wide facing the target; place water in the trench to catch the shell.
- Place the charge cells behind the firing position, one per block of power (1–4 typical).
- Put the shell TNT in front of the charges, on the water.
- Wire all charges to one button with repeaters at 4-tick delay so they detonate together.
- Angle: for maximum range build the barrel at 45° using stairs; for flat shots keep the shell at eye level.
Common questions
Why does my cannon destroy itself? The blast radius reaches back — put 3+ blocks of obsidian between the charges and your base wall, and use water to dampen the rear blast.
Why is Bedrock range shorter? Bedrock TNT physics differ slightly (blast momentum is weaker). Add one extra charge block for the same range.
Can I fire vertically? Yes — point the barrel up and adjust charges by 2 blocks of range each; useful for anti-base lobs.