LECTERN
Outputs a redstone signal proportional to the page being read in the placed book. Also emits a pulse when a player turns a page. Can be read by comparators for the page number.
Crafting Recipe
4 Wooden Slabs + 1 Bookshelf → 1 Lectern
Signal Behavior
Input
InputBook placed on lectern, player page turns
Output
OutputComparator: signal proportional to page number. Direct: pulse on page turn.
Max Signal Strength
Max Signal Strength15
Delay
DelayInstant pulse on page turn
Modes
- Pulse on page turn
- Analog output via comparator (page position)
Overview: what the Lectern is and does
Outputs a redstone signal proportional to the page being read in the placed book. Also emits a pulse when a player turns a page. Can be read by comparators for the page number.
As a trigger it watches the world for an event and converts that event into a redstone signal. It is an analog input device, turning book pages into selectable signal values for menus and adventure maps.
The Lectern was added to Minecraft in 1.14 and everything described here reflects its behaviour in Java Edition 1.21.
How it works: the redstone mechanics
On the input side, book placed on lectern, player page turns. On the output side, comparator: signal proportional to page number. Direct: pulse on page turn..
With a book placed, a comparator reading it outputs a signal proportional to the current page out of the book's total pages. Turning a page also emits a brief direct pulse. An empty lectern produces nothing.
It acts instantly with no redstone-tick delay of its own, so it adds nothing to the timing of a circuit.
It can output a maximum signal strength of 15, which travels 15 blocks through bare redstone dust before fading to nothing.
It operates in the following modes: pulse on page turn and analog output via comparator (page position).
How to set it up
- 1Craft the Lectern: 4 Wooden Slabs + 1 Bookshelf → 1 Lectern.
- 2Decide where the signal needs to start or land, then place the Lectern against a solid surface so it can see the event you want to detect.
- 3Lead the signal it produces into a repeater or dust line so the rest of your contraption can respond to the detected event.
- 4Test in a creative-mode plot first: trigger the input and confirm the Lectern behaves exactly as the timing above predicts before committing it to a survival build.
Uses & applications
- ▸Analog input device
- ▸Menu systems
- ▸Page-based selection
- ▸Adventure map controls
Tips & common mistakes
- !Requires a book to function
- !Comparator output differs from direct output
- !Signal depends on total page count ratio
- !The comparator value depends on the page-to-total ratio, so the same page number gives different signals in books of different lengths.
Lectern FAQ
What is the Lectern used for in Minecraft redstone?
The Lectern is most often used for analog input device, menu systems, page-based selection, and adventure map controls. As a trigger it watches the world for an event and converts that event into a redstone signal.
What signal strength does the Lectern output?
Comparator: signal proportional to page number. Direct: pulse on page turn. Its maximum signal strength is 15.
How do you craft the Lectern?
4 Wooden Slabs + 1 Bookshelf → 1 Lectern. It was introduced in 1.14.
What is the most common mistake with the Lectern?
Requires a book to function. Comparator output differs from direct output.