Gunpowder is obtained by killing creepers, ghasts, and witches or by looting chests in structures such as desert temples, dungeons, woodland mansions, and shipwrecks.
Creepers and ghasts each drop 0–2 Gunpowder upon death. The maximum is increased by 1 per level of Looting, for a maximum of 0–5 with Looting III.
Witches drop 0–6 Gunpowder upon death. The maximum is increased by 3 per level of Looting, for a maximum of 0–15 with Looting III.
Gunpowder is primarily used to craft TNT, firework rockets, and splash and lingering potions.