Reference
Minecraft Color Codes
Every Java Edition color and formatting code, with its § and & form, hex value and text-component name. Click a code to copy it.
Java Edition colors
The shadow is drawn 1 pixel below and right of the text, at a quarter of each channel.
| Color | Copy | Text component / MiniMessage | Hex | Shadow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| black | black | #000000 | #000000 | |
| dark blue | dark_blue | #0000AA | #00002A | |
| dark green | dark_green | #00AA00 | #002A00 | |
| dark aqua | dark_aqua | #00AAAA | #002A2A | |
| dark red | dark_red | #AA0000 | #2A0000 | |
| dark purple | dark_purple | #AA00AA | #2A002A | |
| gold | gold | #FFAA00 | #3F2A00 | |
| gray | gray | #AAAAAA | #2A2A2A | |
| dark gray | dark_gray | #555555 | #151515 | |
| blue | blue | #5555FF | #15153F | |
| green | green | #55FF55 | #153F15 | |
| aqua | aqua | #55FFFF | #153F3F | |
| red | red | #FF5555 | #3F1515 | |
| light purple | light_purple | #FF55FF | #3F153F | |
| yellow | yellow | #FFFF55 | #3F3F15 | |
| white | white | #FFFFFF | #3F3F3F |
Java Edition formatting
A color code turns formatting off, so put the color first: §c§l is red and bold, §l§c is only red.
| Format | Copy | MiniMessage | Text component | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Obfuscated | <obfuscated> | "obfuscated": true | Cycles random characters of the same width. | |
| Bold | <bold> | "bold": true | Each character is 1 pixel wider. | |
| Strikethrough | <strikethrough> | "strikethrough": true | ||
| Underline | <underlined> | "underlined": true | ||
| Italic | <italic> | "italic": true | ||
| Reset | <reset> | — | Clears color and formatting back to the default style of wherever the text is shown. |
Where you can use §
§ works in text the game loads from a file. Where players type, use a text component instead.
- Server list MOTD (server.properties)YesWrite § as \u00A7 so any editor saves it safely. MOTD Generator
- Resource packs: pack.mcmeta, language files, splashes.txtYes
- World namesYes
- Chat and typed commandsNoTyping § disconnects you, even in single player. Use a text component. Tellraw Editor
- BooksOther wayTyping or pasting § stopped working in 1.21.6. Books given by command take colors as text components. Book Editor
- Signs, item names and loreOther wayNot by typing. Use a text component. Sign Editor
- Titles and action barOther wayUse a text component's color field. Title Generator
- Plugin configs (Spigot, Paper, EssentialsX)Other wayMost plugins turn & codes into §. Hex forms differ by plugin: see Hex colors below. Colored Text Generator
Hex colors
- Text componentVanillaThe color field of any text component, on every supported version.
- Spigot hexPluginSpigot, Paper and BungeeCord.
- Ampersand hexPluginEssentialsX, CMI and similar plugins.
- MiniMessagePluginPaper and other Adventure-based servers.
Vanilla has no § code for hex. It reads §x§F§F§8§8§0§0 as separate color codes and shows the last one, so the text comes out black.
How to use the Minecraft Color Codes
Every Minecraft color and formatting code, with its § and & form, hex value and text-component name, and where each one works.
Quick steps
- 1Find the color or format in the Java Edition tables
- 2Click § for files the game reads, or & for plugin configs
- 3Check Where you can use § before pasting it somewhere players type
Example use cases
- Color a server MOTD, resource pack or world name
- Write & codes into a Spigot, Paper or EssentialsX config
Tips
On Java a color code resets formatting: write the color first, then §l or §o
Vanilla hex lives only in a text component's color field
§r returns to the default style of wherever the text is shown
Frequently asked questions
What are the Minecraft color codes?
Java Edition has 16 colors, each written as § (the section sign) followed by one character: §0 black, §1 dark blue, §2 dark green, §3 dark aqua, §4 dark red, §5 dark purple, §6 gold, §7 gray, §8 dark gray, §9 blue, §a green, §b aqua, §c red, §d light purple, §e yellow and §f white. Click any code on this page to copy it.
What are the formatting codes?
§k is obfuscated, §l bold, §m strikethrough, §n underline, §o italic, and §r resets color and formatting. On Java a color code switches formatting off, so write the color first: §c§l is red and bold.
What is the difference between § and & codes?
The game itself only reads §, and only in text it loads from a file, such as server.properties, pack.mcmeta, language files and world names. Vanilla ignores &. Server plugins (Spigot, Paper, EssentialsX and most others) let you write & in their config files and translate it to § for you, because § is awkward to type.
Can I type § codes in chat, on signs or in books?
No to chat: typing § there disconnects you, even in single player. Signs, books and item names take colors as a text component instead, which the Sign Editor, Book Editor and Command Generator write for your version. Books accepted a pasted § until Java 1.21.6.
How do I use hex colors in Minecraft?
In vanilla, only through a text component's color field, for example {"text":"Hi","color":"#FF8800"}. There is no vanilla § code for hex: §x§F§F§8§8§0§0 is a Spigot and Paper extension, and a vanilla client shows it as the last digit's color. EssentialsX-style plugins use &#FF8800, and MiniMessage uses <#FF8800>.