Redstone · Timer · Java & Bedrock
How to Make a Hopper Clock
A hopper clock loops a handful of items between two hoppers to make a steady redstone pulse. It is the simplest way to get a slow, reliable tick in a small space.
two hoppers swap the items
a steady on/off tickTwo hoppers feed each other, so the items shuttle back and forth forever. A comparator reads the full one, giving a repeating pulse. More items in the loop = a slower clock.
What you need
Two hoppers (facing each other)
A stack of items to loop
A comparator to read it
Whatever the pulse drivesItems are the timer
Two hoppers pointed into each other never stop trading the same items, so the loop runs forever. A comparator on one hopper reads it as full or empty, and that rise and fall is your clock. The clever part is the item count: more items take longer to drain, so a few extra nuggets turn a fast clock into a slow, multi-second tick, no extra redstone needed.
Quick answers
What is a hopper clock in Minecraft?
It is a redstone timer made from two hoppers that feed each other. The same items shuttle back and forth between them forever, and a comparator reads whichever hopper is full, giving you a steady on/off pulse without any moving redstone.
How do you build a hopper clock?
Point two hoppers into each other so each empties into the next, put a stack of items in one, and place a comparator coming out of one hopper. The items loop, and the comparator output rises and falls on a fixed rhythm you can wire to anything.
How do you change a hopper clock's speed?
The item count sets the period: more items take longer to drain, so the clock ticks slower. Add or remove items to tune it, and use locking with a second comparator or a repeater if you need an exact, even pulse.
What is a hopper clock used for?
Anything that needs a slow, reliable beat: pulsing an auto farm, flashing lamps or beacons, firing a dispenser on a timer, cycling a display, or driving a day-counter. Hopper clocks shine where repeater clocks would be too fast or too long to build.
Hopper clock vs repeater clock, which is better?
Repeater clocks are best for very fast pulses but get huge for long delays. Hopper clocks are compact and great for slow, multi-second timing. Pick the hopper clock whenever you want a long, steady period in a small space.
Do hopper clocks cause lag?
A single hopper clock is cheap because the items stay inside the hoppers rather than lying on the ground. They only add up if you run many at once, so share one clock between contraptions where you can.