Whether you are setting up a server MOTD, writing colored text on signs, or customizing chat messages with a plugin, Minecraft color codes are one of the most useful tools in any player’s or admin’s kit. They let you go beyond plain white text and inject personality, clarity, and style into almost every corner of the game.
This guide covers every color code and format code available in Minecraft as of 2026 — for both Java and Bedrock Edition — along with exactly where and how to use them.
What Are Minecraft Color Codes?
Minecraft color codes are short character sequences that tell the game’s text renderer to switch to a different color or style. The system has been part of Minecraft since the early days, and it revolves around the section sign (§) followed by a single hex digit or letter.
A § symbol followed by a hex digit in a message tells the client to switch colors while displaying that text. So §c renders red text, §a renders green, and so on. There are 16 built-in color codes (§0 through §f) and 6 formatting codes for styles like bold and italic.
In plugin configurations and tools like Essentials, the & symbol is used as a more keyboard-friendly substitute for § — plugins convert & to § before sending the text to the client.
All 16 Minecraft Color Codes (Java and Bedrock)
The table below lists every standard color code, its chat prefix, the MOTD prefix (for server.properties), and the corresponding hex value.
| Color Name | Chat Code | MOTD Code | Hex Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black | §0 | \u00A70 | #000000 |
| Dark Blue | §1 | \u00A71 | #0000AA |
| Dark Green | §2 | \u00A72 | #00AA00 |
| Dark Aqua | §3 | \u00A73 | #00AAAA |
| Dark Red | §4 | \u00A74 | #AA0000 |
| Dark Purple | §5 | \u00A75 | #AA00AA |
| Gold | §6 | \u00A76 | #FFAA00 |
| Gray | §7 | \u00A77 | #AAAAAA |
| Dark Gray | §8 | \u00A78 | #555555 |
| Blue | §9 | \u00A79 | #5555FF |
| Green | §a | \u00A7a | #55FF55 |
| Aqua | §b | \u00A7b | #55FFFF |
| Red | §c | \u00A7c | #FF5555 |
| Light Purple | §d | \u00A7d | #FF55FF |
| Yellow | §e | \u00A7e | #FFFF55 |
| White | §f | \u00A7f | #FFFFFF |
Bedrock Edition only: There is a 17th color code —
§g— which renders as Minecoin Gold, a bright yellow tied to Bedrock’s in-game currency. This code has no equivalent in Java Edition.
Minecraft Format Codes (Styling Your Text)
Beyond color, Minecraft also supports six formatting codes that change the style of your text. These work on both Java and Bedrock, though support varies slightly by context.
| Format | Code | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Obfuscated | §k | Makes text appear as rapidly cycling random characters |
| Bold | §l | Thickens the font |
| Strikethrough | §m | Adds a horizontal line through text |
| Underline | §n | Adds a line beneath text |
| Italic | §o | Slants text |
| Reset | §r | Clears all active color and formatting |
Important rule: Always apply the color code before the format code. Writing §c§lHello (red first, then bold) gives you bold red text. Writing §l§cHello will reset the bold when the color is applied. The correct order is always color → format.
How to Type the § Symbol
The section sign is not a standard key on most keyboards, so here is how to type it on each platform.
- Windows: Hold
Altand type21on the numpad, or useAlt + 0167 - Mac: Press
Option + 6 - Mobile / Console (Bedrock): Copy the § character from elsewhere and paste it directly into a sign or chat field
- Plugin configs (Java servers): Use
&instead — Essentials, LuckPerms, and most Bukkit plugins convert it automatically
If you find the symbol inconvenient, most server admin tools and online color code generators let you build formatted text visually and copy the output directly.
Where Can You Use Minecraft Color Codes?
Color codes work in different places depending on which edition you are playing.
Bedrock Edition
In Bedrock, the § prefix works almost everywhere:
- Chat — Type or paste
§cbefore your message for red text - Signs — Enter edit mode and type the code before your text
- Books and Quills — Works the same way as signs
- Anvils — Rename items with colored text
- Cartography Tables — Rename maps with color
Java Edition
Java Edition is stricter about where § codes can be typed directly. The section sign cannot be inserted into normal in-game chat. Your main options are:
- Signs, Books, Anvils — Copy and paste § directly (typing it via keyboard shortcut works here)
- Server configuration (server.properties) — Use the
\u00A7Unicode escape format, e.g.\u00A7aGreen text - Commands (/tellraw, /title) — Use JSON text format with color names (see below)
- Plugin configs — Use
&as a substitute for §
Hex Colors and /tellraw on Java Edition
Java Edition 1.16 was a turning point for color customization. Starting from that version, you can use any RGB hex color— not just the 16 presets — inside JSON text commands. This gives you access to over 16 million color combinations.
The syntax for /tellraw with a hex color looks like this:
/tellraw @a {"text":"Welcome to the server!","color":"#FF6600"}
Replace #FF6600 with any valid 6-digit hex code. This works with /title, /subtitle, item lore via data commands, and scoreboard display names. Note that hex colors do not work on regular signs or in standard chat input — those are still limited to the 16 classic codes.
For JSON commands, color names must be written in lowercase with underscores for multi-word names. For example, use "dark_red" not "Dark Red".
Bedrock Edition note: As of 2026, Bedrock Edition does not support hex color codes. It remains limited to the 16 standard codes plus §g (Minecoin Gold).
MiniMessage: Modern Color Formatting for Paper Servers
If you are running a modern Paper or Velocity server, you have access to the MiniMessage formatting library, which is now the standard for Adventure-based plugins. MiniMessage uses XML-like tags instead of § codes and opens up advanced formatting options.
Basic MiniMessage color tags look like this:
<red>This is red text</red>
<gold>This is gold</gold>
<#FF5500>Custom hex color</#FF5500>
MiniMessage also supports gradient text, which blends smoothly between two or more colors:
<gradient:#ff0000:#ffff00>Gradient Text</gradient>
This is popular for server rank prefixes, announcement titles, and MOTD branding. Tools like the MiniMessage Web Viewer at docs.papermc.io let you preview your output before adding it to configs. Gradient generators like birdflop.com/resources/rgb can generate the full output automatically.
Color Codes for Server MOTDs
The server MOTD (the message displayed below your server name in the multiplayer list) supports color formatting, but with a different syntax than in-game. In server.properties, you cannot use § directly because Java reads the file as ISO-8859-1 by default and the character can corrupt.
Use the Unicode escape format instead:
motd=\u00A7aWelcome to My Server \u00A7r- \u00A76Survival Mode
In the above example, \u00A7a produces green text, \u00A7r resets formatting, and \u00A76 produces gold text. If you are running a Paper server, MiniMessage tags also work in the MOTD via plugin configuration.
Using Color Codes with Teams and Scoreboard
Color codes are not just for chat and signs. They also affect how player names and scoreboards appear during gameplay.
To assign a color to a team, use the /team command:
/team modify MyTeam color gold
Color names in team and scoreboard commands must match the 16 built-in color names exactly (e.g., dark_red, aqua, light_purple). Hex values are not supported in these commands.
For scoreboard objective titles, you can use § formatting directly:
/scoreboard objectives add stats dummy {"text":"§6Player Stats"}
Java vs. Bedrock: Key Differences at a Glance
| Feature | Java Edition | Bedrock Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Standard 16 color codes | Yes (§0–§f) | Yes (§0–§f) |
| Minecoin Gold (§g) | No | Yes |
| § in chat | No (use commands) | Yes |
| § in signs/books | Yes (paste) | Yes (type directly) |
| Hex colors | Yes (JSON commands, 1.16+) | No |
| MiniMessage support | Yes (Paper/Velocity) | No |
| MOTD color codes | \u00A7 format | Limited |
| Plugin & symbol | & (converted by plugins) | & (converted by plugins) |
Quick Tips for Using Minecraft Color Codes
- Reset often. After a colored or formatted section ends, use
§rto prevent the style from bleeding into the next line or word. - Color before format. Always write the color code first, then your formatting codes. Applying a new color resets any active formatting.
- Test before deploying. If you are building a server MOTD or adventure map text, use an online preview tool to check your output before going live.
- Use & in configs. For any Bukkit or Paper plugin configuration file,
&is almost always the right prefix to use. The plugin handles the conversion automatically. - Gradients need MiniMessage or a plugin. You cannot natively produce gradient text with legacy § codes. Gradient effects require MiniMessage tags or a plugin like TAB.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common Minecraft color code?
§a (green) and §c (red) are among the most frequently used codes, particularly on servers where they indicate positive or negative feedback to players. §e (yellow) is commonly used for announcements and warnings.
Can I use Minecraft color codes on console?
Yes, on Bedrock Edition consoles you can use § codes by copying the symbol from an external source (such as a connected app or your phone) and pasting it into a sign or chat input using the controller’s paste function.
Do Minecraft color codes work in book and quill?
Yes. Both Java and Bedrock Edition support color codes in books and quills. On Java, paste the § symbol in; on Bedrock, you can type it directly or paste it.
What does §k do in Minecraft?
§k is the “obfuscated” format code. It causes text to constantly cycle through random characters, creating a glitchy, unreadable effect. It is often used decoratively on signs or in server names.
Are Minecraft color codes case-sensitive?
The letter-based codes (§a through §f for colors, §k through §r for formatting) are not case-sensitive — §A and §a both produce green. However, JSON color names used in commands like /tellraw must be lowercase (e.g., "dark_red", not "Dark_Red").
What is the difference between § and & in Minecraft?
§ is the actual character the Minecraft client reads to switch colors. & is a convention used by plugins (like Essentials) in config files because § is hard to type and can cause encoding issues in text files. Plugins automatically convert & codes to § codes before the text is sent to the client.
Conclusion
Minecraft color codes give you a powerful and flexible system for expressing personality, creating structure, and building polished in-game experiences — whether you are labeling signs in your base, setting up a server MOTD, or scripting adventure map dialogue. The 16 classic § codes cover everyday needs, while hex colors and MiniMessage unlock far more for server operators and map makers on Java Edition.
If you are building out a full server setup, it is worth pairing color codes with other customization work. Check out our guide to the best Minecraft 26.1 servers to see how top servers use branding and formatting to stand out, or explore how to change your Minecraft skin to complete your in-game identity. For players who want to go even further, our roundup of the best Minecraft mods includes tools that expand on the game’s native formatting capabilities.
Master the codes, keep the cheat sheet bookmarked, and your Minecraft text will never be plain white again.
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