A Torch is a portable LightItem in Don't Starve. It can be crafted with 2 Cut Grass and 2 Twigs, and is available from the start of the game.
Torches burn (and as a result loses durability) while equipped, providing a source of light for the player. A Torch will last for 75 seconds (2.5 in-game clock segments). In Rain, a Torch may burn up to 150% faster depending on precipitation rate. It also provides a small amount of Warmth (to slow Freezing).
To equip and use a Torch, right-click it from the inventory. As long as the player is holding the Torch, it will burn with a consistent intensity and illuminate a small area around the player.
Dragging a Torch over objects such as Trees, Spider Dens, or Beehives and right clicking, or equipping a Torch and right clicking on such objects, will light them on fire. If the burning object contains creatures like a Beehive does, they will exit the structure when it is set ablaze. Burning objects will ignite other nearby objects (or creatures), possibly spreading to cause massive fires.
In addition to providing light and setting entities on fire, Torches are used in the following crafting recipes.
Torches will not be affected by Rain if the player is sheltered. It no longer provides warmth.
Wilson with Torch Toss skill can throw a torch on the ground, where it will continue to burn.
Skins
The Heirloom Elegant Hallowed Light skin was only obtainable during official Hallowed Nights events until 2020.
The Timeless Carrat Torch skin was originally awarded for playing Don't Starve Together during the official Year of the Carrat event in 2020. As of February 11, 2021, the Loyal version of this skin was available in the Klei Rewards shop for 1,200 Klei points.
The Timeless Carved Stone Torch skin was awarded for pre-ordering Don't Starve Together on Wegame, and the Loyal version of this skin was available in the Klei Rewards shop for 1,200 Klei points.
The Loyal Conch Torch skin was awarded for watching 6 hours of Don't Starve Together on Twitch starting from January 27, 2022 to February 10, 2022.
The Timeless Tragic Torch skin was awarded for solving the Cyclum Puzzles and could only be obtained before May 16, 2016, while the Loyal variant was awarded after this date. This skin is required to start the Metheus Puzzles.
Woven - Elegant / Heirloom Elegant Hallowed Light Repel the dark these Hallowed Nights with a dreadful beacon of most Hallowed Light. See ingame
Woven - Elegant Rustic Torch A torch made from untrimmed twigs. See ingame
Elegant Weatherbeaten Torch Give your torch some visual flare with these hastily wrapped, desiccated rags. Smoky! See ingame
Timeless / Loyal Carved Stone Torch Doesn't burn any brighter or last any longer, but goodness-gosh if it isn't just the fanciest. See ingame
Loyal Conch Torch If you listen closely you can hear the sea. See ingame
Timeless / Loyal Carrat Torch A torch made in honor of the clever carrat. See ingame
Timeless / Loyal Tragic Torch At first glance this torch appears menacing, but holding it makes you feel quite sad. See ingame
Elegant Oil Torch Keep burning the midnight oil.
Tips
If the player does not have enough Torches to keep Charlie away for a whole night, they can light a tree or other burnable object on fire and then unequip the Torch until the object has burnt out, extending the lifetime of the Torch's fire.
Another option is to "flash" the Torch (equip the Torch and unequip it immediately) every several seconds right before Charlie attacks to keep her at bay. However, Sanity drains faster in complete darkness and the Torch loses durability faster, so this trick is not free to use and not recommended in place of a real fire.
If a newly crafted Torch is held in brief intervals, it will stay at 100% durability. If held too long, the torch will drop to 99% at which point the trick cannot be done. (Note that this trick does not work in Don't Starve Together)
Trivia
The game files have contained code for a Torch's capability to give off warmth ever since Winter was implemented, however this code has never actually been used.
Bugs
The sound which plays while holding a Torch (the fire whooshing sound as the player moves around) may continue even after unequipping the Torch. Saving, exiting, and reloading the game seems to fix this.
If the night is short enough, it is possible to hold a Torch and go to sleep in a Bed Roll; when the player wakes up, the Torch will not lose durability until it is re-equipped.
If the player uses a Bed Roll while holding a Torch, the sleeping animation will be normal, but the Torch will disappear and the flame will float over the player's head, absent of the stick.
Due to a code error, striking a Mob with a Torch won't set it on fire. If Shipwrecked or Hamlet DLC is enabled, this problem can be fixed. In Don't Starve Together this has already been fixed.
Gallery
Wilson with a Torch standing next to an unlit one.
Torch illuminating a small area at night.
If the player has an extra Torch, it will be automatically equipped in place of the spent Torch.
Prompt when the cursor is above an object that can be lit.