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Quick answer
- Light level 15 is the brightest: lanterns, glowstone, sea lanterns and more.
- A
Torch gives 14. Soul torches and soul lanterns give 10. - On Java, hostile mobs only spawn at block light 0, so any light stops them.
Light keeps mobs away and makes builds look good. Here's how bright each light source is.
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Light levels
| Light source | Level |
|---|---|
| Lantern | 15 |
| Glowstone | 15 |
 Sea lantern | 15 |
 Shroomlight | 15 |
 Jack o'lantern | 15 |
 Redstone lamp (on) | 15 |
 Campfire | 15 |
 Beacon | 15 |
| Torch | 14 |
 End rod | 14 |
 Glow berries | 14 |
 Soul lantern | 10 |
 Soul torch | 10 |
 Crying obsidian | 10 |
 Redstone torch | 7 |
 Glow lichen | 7 |
 Magma block | 3 |
Stackable lights
A Sea pickle gives 6 light, plus 3 for each extra pickle, up to 15 with 4 underwater. Candles give 3 each, up to 12 with 4.
Stopping mobs
On Java, monsters need block light 0 to spawn. Spread torches out so no dark gaps are left. Light drops by 1 for each block you move away from the source.
Hidden lightsGlowstone or sea lanterns under carpet light a floor without showing a torch.
Cheat sheet
- 15: lanterns, glowstone, sea lanterns
- 14: torches, end rods
- 10: soul lights
- Light falls by 1 per block
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