NOR GATE
Outputs ON only when ALL inputs are OFF. The inverse of an OR gate. Built by feeding an OR gate through a NOT gate. Fundamental to RS NOR latches (memory circuits).
Truth Table
| Input A | Input B | Output |
|---|---|---|
| 0 (OFF) | 0 (OFF) | 1 (ON) |
| 0 (OFF) | 1 (ON) | 0 (OFF) |
| 1 (ON) | 0 (OFF) | 0 (OFF) |
| 1 (ON) | 1 (ON) | 0 (OFF) |
Reading the NOR Gate truth table
Count the rows and the NOR Gate is quickly summed up: 4 states, 1 on, 3 off.
A NOR Gate outputs power on exactly one input pattern: A off and B off.
Every one of the 4 rows of a NOR Gate is the opposite of the OR Gate, so one redstone torch on the output turns either into the other.
Closest to the NOR Gate sits the XNOR Gate (Exclusive NOR), which differs on a single row of the table, so a wiring mistake between them is easy to make and easy to miss.
How far the other gates sit from NOR Gate
What NOR Gate costs in materials
The NOR Gate parts list leaves the count open, so work from the price of a single part: one Redstone Torch costs 1 Redstone and 1 Stick.
| Part of NOR Gate | Needed per NOR Gate | What one costs to craft |
|---|---|---|
 Redstone Torch | as many as the build needs | 1 Redstone, 1 Stick |
NOR Gate costs are worked out from the crafting recipes in Java Edition 26.2.
What the NOR Gate is, and what it does for you
Outputs ON only when ALL inputs are OFF. The inverse of an OR gate. Built by feeding an OR gate through a NOT gate. Fundamental to RS NOR latches (memory circuits).
In plain terms, the output is on only when every input is off. NOR is OR followed by inversion, and because two cross-coupled NOR gates form the RS latch, it is the gate that makes redstone memory possible.
No mods and no datapacks are involved: this is the NOR Gate exactly as Java Edition 26.2 builds it, down to the tick counts in the table.
How the NOR Gate works: the redstone mechanics
Across its four input combinations the output is on in 1 case, A off with B off, and off in the remaining 3.
Expressed as boolean algebra that is output = NOT (A OR B).
A single-block NOR (inputs into a block, torch on the output face) adds 1 redstone tick.
The 4 rows above are written out as on and off rather than as numbers, because the NOR Gate ignores how strong the incoming signal happens to be and only ever asks whether there is any signal there at all.
Building the NOR Gate, step by step
- 1Run input A and input B into the same solid block using redstone dust.
- 2Place a redstone torch on the output side of that block.
- 3The torch turns OFF when any input powers the block.
- 4Output is ON only when both inputs are OFF.
- 5This is the basis for the RS NOR latch memory circuit.
- 6Verify it against the truth table: setting the inputs to OFF and OFF should drive the output ON. Walk through all 4 input combinations once to confirm the gate matches the table above.
Jobs the NOR Gate does well
- ▸NOR is OR followed by inversion, and because two cross-coupled NOR gates form the RS latch, it is the gate that makes redstone memory possible.
- ▸Single-block NOR (two inputs into block, torch on top), a practical build choice for this gate.
- ▸Wall-mounted NOR (torch on side of block), a practical build choice for this gate.
- ▸RS NOR latch (two cross-coupled NOR gates for memory), a practical build choice for this gate.
Tips & common mistakes
- !Keep your inputs isolated with repeaters if signals are flowing back into each other; uncontrolled backflow between dust lines is the most common reason a gate reads the wrong value.
- !Remember the propagation cost: A single-block NOR (inputs into a block, torch on the output face) adds 1 redstone tick. If you chain several gates, those ticks add up and can desynchronise a fast circuit.
- !When a multi-gate circuit misbehaves, test each gate in isolation against its own truth table before assuming the wiring between them is at fault.
NOR Gate, frequently asked questions
What does a NOR Gate do in Minecraft?
A NOR Gate outputs a signal where the output is on only when every input is off. In boolean terms, output = NOT (A OR B).
What is the truth table of a NOR Gate?
Across its four input combinations the output is on in 1 case, A off with B off, and off in the remaining 3. The boolean expression is output = NOT (A OR B).
How do you build a NOR Gate with redstone?
Run input A and input B into the same solid block using redstone dust. Place a redstone torch on the output side of that block. Common variants include single-block NOR (two inputs into block, torch on top) and wall-mounted NOR (torch on side of block).
How much delay does a NOR Gate add?
A single-block NOR (inputs into a block, torch on the output face) adds 1 redstone tick. That matters most in clocks and adders where every redstone tick counts.
