Tools

Tools are an association of items that are used to perform the various non-combat tasks involved in Terraria gameplay, such as construction and exploration, among others. Tools are generally wielded via the key while they are held as the active hotbar item, and many also have auto-use, allowing for continuous use via holding the  key. Some tools inflict damage upon enemies, but are differentiated from weapons, as this is not their primary use. Tools are also differentiated from accessories, which provide passive abilities, while tools are used proactively.

Pickaxes, axes, and hammers are tools that are essential at all stages of gameplay for their ability to precisely dismantle world tiles, like placed blocks, background walls, plants, or placed furniture, and convert them all to collectible inventory items for re-placement in other locations, or for other uses, such as crafting. They also double as weak melee weapons and generally inflict far less damage than actual weapons of corresponding tiers.

Other important tools include: the Magic Mirror, which will teleport the player back to their spawn point; hooks, which aid travel above and below ground; the Bucket, which transports liquid; the Bug Net, used to catch critters; and the Wrenches, used for constructing mechanisms. Many of these tools are generally used throughout all stages of the game.

Multi-use tools
Some tools have combined functionality:
 * Hammer + axe: hamaxes, including The Axe
 * Pickaxe/drill + axe: Pickaxe Axe, Drax, Shroomite Digging Claw, Picksaw, and Laser Drill

Pickaxes and drills
Pickaxes and drills are used to remove/free placed blocks, background items or furniture for collection. When used on blocks, this is often referred to as "mining" or "digging". Their tier determines which types of blocks they can mine, as well as the number of hits it takes to remove each block type. Drills function identically to pickaxes, but with an alternate animation and sound effect. All tools to the right and below (and including itself) of the Cobalt Pickaxe are Hardmode ( with one exception; the Drax can be obtained pre-Hardmode). The player begins with the Copper Pickaxe when starting a new Classic character, and an Iron Pickaxe when starting a new character.

Axes and chainsaws
Axes and chainsaws are used to harvest background plants like trees, cacti, and Giant Glowing Mushrooms (Wood blocks are removed with a pickaxe/drill instead). Chainsaws function identically to axes, but with an alternate animation and sound effect. Hamaxes function as both axes and hammers. The player begins with the Copper Axe when starting a new Classic character, and an Iron Axe when starting a new character.

Hammers
Hammers are used to free background walls for collection, to destroy background walls which cannot be collected, to shape foreground blocks to create slopes and half-tiles, and to shape platforms. They are also used to destroy Shadow Orbs and Crimson Hearts. The Pwnhammer, Hammush, and The Axe can additionally be used in Hardmode to destroy Altars, which triggers the spawning of new Hardmode ores. characters start with an Iron Hammer.

Wiring
These items aid the player in placing and removing Wire, as well as manipulating Actuators.

Painting
These items allow players to place or remove paint.

Hooks
Hooks are used to surmount tall obstacles and negotiate gaps, by latching and hoisting the player onto remote surfaces.

Fishing poles
Fishing poles are used for fishing.

Unobtainable
The following item(s) below are unobtainable without hacks or cheats of some kind.