A complete reference for Minecraft color codes, HEX colors, and formatting styles. Explore Java and Bedrock compatible codes for chat, signs, books, items, MOTD, plugins, and Tellraw, with searchable tables and accurate color previews.
It is easier to try a color now! Click a swatch below, type your text to see the preview and copy to use in chats, signs, servers, and more.
Colors:
Format:
Preview Styles:
Minecraft Preview
How it looks in-game
Formatted Codes
Minecraft Standard Color Codes Reference (§0–§f)
Explore all Minecraft standard text color codes, from §0 (black) to §f (white), in a convenient, interactive grid. Quickly find any code with instant search and copy codes effortlessly with smooth feedback for your builds, signs, books, and chat.
Black
Minecraft Code:
§0 ⧉
Plugin Code:
&0 ⧉
MOTD Code:
\u00A70 ⧉
HEX:
#000000 ⧉
Dark Blue
Minecraft Code:
§1 ⧉
Plugin Code:
&1 ⧉
MOTD Code:
\u00A71 ⧉
HEX:
#0000AA ⧉
Dark Green
Minecraft Code:
§2 ⧉
Plugin Code:
&2 ⧉
MOTD Code:
\u00A72 ⧉
HEX:
#00AA00 ⧉
Dark Aqua
Minecraft Code:
§3 ⧉
Plugin Code:
&3 ⧉
MOTD Code:
\u00A73 ⧉
HEX:
#00AAAA ⧉
Dark Red
Minecraft Code:
§4 ⧉
Plugin Code:
&4 ⧉
MOTD Code:
\u00A74 ⧉
HEX:
#AA0000 ⧉
Dark Purple
Minecraft Code:
§5 ⧉
Plugin Code:
&5 ⧉
MOTD Code:
\u00A75 ⧉
HEX:
#AA00AA ⧉
Gold
Minecraft Code:
§6 ⧉
Plugin Code:
&6 ⧉
MOTD Code:
\u00A76 ⧉
HEX:
#FFAA00 ⧉
Gray
Minecraft Code:
§7 ⧉
Plugin Code:
&7 ⧉
MOTD Code:
\u00A77 ⧉
HEX:
#AAAAAA ⧉
Dark Gray
Minecraft Code:
§8 ⧉
Plugin Code:
&8 ⧉
MOTD Code:
\u00A78 ⧉
HEX:
#555555 ⧉
Blue
Minecraft Code:
§9 ⧉
Plugin Code:
&9 ⧉
MOTD Code:
\u00A79 ⧉
HEX:
#5555FF ⧉
Green
Minecraft Code:
§a ⧉
Plugin Code:
&a ⧉
MOTD Code:
\u00A7a ⧉
HEX:
#55FF55 ⧉
Aqua
Minecraft Code:
§b ⧉
Plugin Code:
&b ⧉
MOTD Code:
\u00A7b ⧉
HEX:
#55FFFF ⧉
Red
Minecraft Code:
§c ⧉
Plugin Code:
&c ⧉
MOTD Code:
\u00A7c ⧉
HEX:
#FF5555 ⧉
Light Purple
Minecraft Code:
§d ⧉
Plugin Code:
&d ⧉
MOTD Code:
\u00A7d ⧉
HEX:
#FF55FF ⧉
Yellow
Minecraft Code:
§e ⧉
Plugin Code:
&e ⧉
MOTD Code:
\u00A7e ⧉
HEX:
#FFFF55 ⧉
White
Minecraft Code:
§f ⧉
Plugin Code:
&f ⧉
MOTD Code:
\u00A7f ⧉
HEX:
#FFFFFF ⧉
Swatch
Name
Minecraft Code
Plugin Code
MOTD Code
HEX
Black
§0 ⧉
&0 ⧉
\u00A70 ⧉
#000000 ⧉
Dark Blue
§1 ⧉
&1 ⧉
\u00A71 ⧉
#0000AA ⧉
Dark Green
§2 ⧉
&2 ⧉
\u00A72 ⧉
#00AA00 ⧉
Dark Aqua
§3 ⧉
&3 ⧉
\u00A73 ⧉
#00AAAA ⧉
Dark Red
§4 ⧉
&4 ⧉
\u00A74 ⧉
#AA0000 ⧉
Dark Purple
§5 ⧉
&5 ⧉
\u00A75 ⧉
#AA00AA ⧉
Gold
§6 ⧉
&6 ⧉
\u00A76 ⧉
#FFAA00 ⧉
Gray
§7 ⧉
&7 ⧉
\u00A77 ⧉
#AAAAAA ⧉
Dark Gray
§8 ⧉
&8 ⧉
\u00A78 ⧉
#555555 ⧉
Blue
§9 ⧉
&9 ⧉
\u00A79 ⧉
#5555FF ⧉
Green
§a ⧉
&a ⧉
\u00A7a ⧉
#55FF55 ⧉
Aqua
§b ⧉
&b ⧉
\u00A7b ⧉
#55FFFF ⧉
Red
§c ⧉
&c ⧉
\u00A7c ⧉
#FF5555 ⧉
Light Purple
§d ⧉
&d ⧉
\u00A7d ⧉
#FF55FF ⧉
Yellow
§e ⧉
&e ⧉
\u00A7e ⧉
#FFFF55 ⧉
White
§f ⧉
&f ⧉
\u00A7f ⧉
#FFFFFF ⧉
Minecraft Formatting Codes (§k–§r)
Apply after a color code (color first!): §c§lRed Bold All work in chat, signs, books, anvils (Java & Bedrock)
B
Bold
Code:
§l ⧉
Plugin:
&l ⧉
MOTD Code:
\u00A7l ⧉
Tellraw/JSON:
"bold":true
Description:
Makes text thicker/bold
Preview:
Bold Text Example
Compatible:
Java, Bedrock
Notes:
Works best after a color code
I
Italic
Code:
§o ⧉
Plugin:
&o ⧉
MOTD Code:
\u00A7o ⧉
Tellraw/JSON:
"italic":true
Description:
Makes text slanted/italic
Preview:
Italic Text Example
Compatible:
Java, Bedrock
Notes:
Effect is subtle in default font
U
Underline
Code:
§n ⧉
Plugin:
&n ⧉
MOTD Code:
\u00A7n ⧉
Tellraw/JSON:
"underlined":true
Description:
Underlines the text
Preview:
Underlined Text Example
Compatible:
Java, Bedrock
Notes:
Appearance depends on font and client
S
Strikethrough
Code:
§m ⧉
Plugin:
&m ⧉
MOTD Code:
\u00A7m ⧉
Tellraw/JSON:
"strikethrough":true
Description:
Draws a line through the text
Preview:
Strikethrough Example
Compatible:
Java, Bedrock
Notes:
Useful for canceled or deprecated text
?
Obfuscated
Code:
§k ⧉
Plugin:
&k ⧉
MOTD:
\u00A7k ⧉
Tellraw/JSON:
"obfuscated":true
Description:
Scrambles characters continuously
Preview:
§kMCGIC§r
Compatible:
Java, Bedrock
Notes:
Can be CPU heavy on very long text
↺
Reset
Code:
§r ⧉
Plugin:
&r ⧉
MOTD Code:
\u00A7r ⧉
Tellraw/JSON:
N/A (new text component)
Description:
Resets all colors and formatting styles to default
Preview:
Normal text after formatting
Compatible:
Java, Bedrock
Notes:
Ends all previous formatting effects
Name
Code
Plugin
MOTD Code
Tellraw / JSON
Description
Preview
Compatible
Notes
Obfuscated
§k
&k
\u00A7k
"obfuscated": true
Scrambles characters continuously (magic effect)
§kmcgic§r
Java, Bedrock
Can impact performance if overused on long text
Bold
§l
&l
\u00A7l
"bold": true
Makes text bold
Bold Text Example
Java, Bedrock
Works best when applied after a color code
Strikethrough
§m
&m
\u00A7m
"strikethrough": true
Draws a line through the text
Strikethrough Example
Java, Bedrock
Useful for canceled or deprecated text
Underline
§n
&n
\u00A7n
"underlined": true
Underlines the text
Underlined Text Example
Java, Bedrock
Appearance depends on font and client
Italic
§o
&o
\u00A7o
"italic": true
Makes text italic
Italic Text Example
Java, Bedrock
Effect is subtle in the default Minecraft font
Reset
§r
&r
\u00A7r
N/A (new text component)
Resets all colors and formatting styles to default
Normal text after formatting
Java, Bedrock
Ends all previous formatting effects
Minecraft HEX Color Codes (Java Edition 1.16+)
Java Edition 1.16 and newer supports true HEX/RGB colors, over 16 million shades instead of the 16 legacy colors (§0–§f). Ideal for gradients, custom branding, and advanced text styling.
Important: HEX colors only work via JSON text components (commands, books via /give, titles, bossbars). They do not work with § codes in chat, signs, or anvils, use legacy colors there.
How HEX Colors Work
HEX colors use the special §x format, every character of the 6-digit HEX code is prefixed with §.
§x§R§R§G§G§B§B
Breakdown:
RR = Red (00–FF)
GG = Green (00–FF)
BB = Blue (00–FF)
Example below renders "Hello" in #FF5555 (light red):
§x§F§F§5§5§5§5Hello
Preview: Hello
Common HEX Color Examples
Color Name
HEX
Minecraft Code
Copy
Light Red
#FF5555
§x§F§F§5§5§5§5
⧉
Lime Green
#55FF55
§x§5§5§F§F§5§5
⧉
Bright Blue
#5555FF
§x§5§5§5§5§F§F
⧉
Pure White
#FFFFFF
§x§F§F§F§F§F§F
⧉
Hot Pink
#FF55FF
§x§F§F§5§5§F§F
⧉
Gold Yellow
#FFD700
§x§F§F§D§D§0§0
⧉
HEX vs Legacy Colors – Comparison
Feature
Legacy Colors (§0–§f)
HEX Colors (§x format)
Number of colors
16 fixed
16,777,216 (full RGB)
Code format
§a, §c, etc.
§x§R§R§G§G§B§B
Gradient support
No
Yes (multiple components)
Java Edition support
All versions
1.16+
Bedrock Edition support
Yes
No (commands only, limited)
Where it works
Chat, signs, books, anvils
JSON only: /tellraw, titles, bossbars, books via commands
Important Notes & Limitations
HEX colors are Java Edition only: Bedrock does not support them in chat, signs, or books.
Every HEX digit must be prefixed with §: missing one breaks the color.
Works in /tellraw, /title, boss bars, and written books via commands.
Plugin support for HEX (&x format) depends on the plugin (e.g. EssentialsX supports it in newer versions).
For Bedrock or simple chat/signs → stick to legacy colors (§0–§f).
Want to generate custom HEX gradients or convert colors? Try our Gradient Generator.
Bedrock-Only Material Colors
Available in Minecraft Bedrock Edition 1.20+ • Foreground (text) + Background (shadow) values + contrast
Minecoin Gold
Foreground:
#DDD605 (221, 214, 5)
Background:
#373501 (55, 53, 1)
Contrast:
10.8 : 1 ✓
Mood: Luxury / Currency
Quartz
Foreground:
#E3D4D1 (227, 212, 209)
Background:
#383534 (56, 53, 52)
Contrast:
7.2 : 1 ✓
Mood: Clean / Modern
Iron
Foreground:
#CECACA (206, 202, 202)
Background:
#333232 (51, 50, 50)
Contrast:
5.1 : 1 ✓
Mood: Metallic / Industrial
Netherite
Foreground:
#443A3B (68, 58, 59)
Background:
#110E0E (17, 14, 14)
Contrast:
2.1 : 1 ✗
Mood: Dark / Ominous
Redstone
Foreground:
#971607 (151, 22, 7)
Background:
#250501 (37, 5, 1)
Contrast:
3.8 : 1 ✗
Mood: Energetic / Fiery
Copper
Foreground:
#B4684D (180, 104, 77)
Background:
#2D1A13 (45, 26, 19)
Contrast:
5.9 : 1 ✓
Mood: Warm / Aged
Gold
Foreground:
#DEB12D (222, 177, 45)
Background:
#372C0B (55, 44, 11)
Contrast:
9.6 : 1 ✓
Mood: Rich / Shiny
Emerald
Foreground:
#119F36 (17, 159, 54)
Background:
#04280D (4, 40, 13)
Contrast:
7.5 : 1 ✓
Mood: Fresh / Gemstone
Diamond
Foreground:
#2CBAA8 (44, 186, 168)
Background:
#0B2E2A (11, 46, 42)
Contrast:
8.9 : 1 ✓
Mood: Cool / Precious
Lapis
Foreground:
#21497B (33, 73, 123)
Background:
#08121E (8, 18, 30)
Contrast:
4.6 : 1 ✗
Mood: Deep / Mystical
Amethyst
Foreground:
#9A5CC6 (154, 92, 198)
Background:
#261731 (38, 23, 49)
Contrast:
5.8 : 1 ✓
Mood: Magical / Purple
Resin
Foreground:
#EB7114 (235, 113, 20)
Background:
#3B1D05 (59, 29, 5)
Contrast:
8.4 : 1 ✓
Mood: Warm / Fiery
Swatch
Name
FG HEX
BG HEX
FG RGB
BG RGB
Contrast
WCAG AA
Minecoin Gold
#DDD605
#373501
221, 214, 5
55, 53, 1
10.8 : 1
✓
Quartz
#E3D4D1
#383534
227, 212, 209
56, 53, 52
7.2 : 1
✓
Iron
#CECACA
#333232
206, 202, 202
51, 50, 50
5.1 : 1
✓
Netherite
#443A3B
#110E0E
68, 58, 59
17, 14, 14
2.1 : 1
✗
Redstone
#971607
#250501
151, 22, 7
37, 5, 1
3.8 : 1
✗
Copper
#B4684D
#2D1A13
180, 104, 77
45, 26, 19
5.9 : 1
✓
Gold
#DEB12D
#372C0B
222, 177, 45
55, 44, 11
9.6 : 1
✓
Emerald
#119F36
#04280D
17, 159, 54
4, 40, 13
7.5 : 1
✓
Diamond
#2CBAA8
#0B2E2A
44, 186, 168
11, 46, 42
8.9 : 1
✓
Lapis
#21497B
#08121E
33, 73, 123
8, 18, 30
4.6 : 1
✗
Amethyst
#9A5CC6
#261731
154, 92, 198
38, 23, 49
5.8 : 1
✓
Resin
#EB7114
#3B1D05
235, 113, 20
59, 29, 5
8.4 : 1
✓
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Minecraft color codes, formatting, HEX colors, Java vs Bedrock differences, plugins, MOTDs, and more.
Why do HEX colors not work in chat, signs, or anvils?
HEX colors (§x§R§R§G§G§B§B) only work in Minecraft Java Edition 1.16+ when used through JSON text components such as /tellraw, /title, boss bars, or NBT-based books.
They do not work in normal chat, signs, anvils, item renaming, or vanilla MOTDs. For those, use legacy color codes (§0–§f).
What is the difference between legacy colors and HEX colors?
Legacy colors (§0–§f) are the original 16 Minecraft colors supported everywhere.
HEX colors allow millions of shades but require Java 1.16+ and JSON-based text. Legacy colors are universal; HEX colors are more flexible but limited in where they work.
Do Bedrock Edition players support HEX colors?
No. Minecraft Bedrock Edition does not support HEX color codes.
Bedrock supports legacy colors (§0–§f) and additional material color codes, which are mainly used internally and for UI rendering.
Do Java and Bedrock players see the same colors?
Legacy colors and formatting codes appear mostly the same on Java and Bedrock.
Minor differences may occur due to:
Font rendering differences
Screen brightness or gamma settings
Resource packs or custom fonts
Bedrock-only material colors do not display correctly on Java clients.
Can I combine HEX colors with formatting like bold or italic?
Yes, in Java 1.16+ JSON text:
{"text":"Bold Red","color":"#FF5555","bold":true}
Or using §x format:
§x§F§F§5§5§5§5§lBold Light Red
Why does obfuscated (§k) text look glitchy?
Obfuscated text intentionally replaces characters every frame. This can cause visual noise or performance issues if overused, especially in long text, menus, or MOTDs.
How do I stop obfuscated text from continuing?
Obfuscation affects all following characters until a reset code is used. Insert §r before applying a new color or format to stop it.
How do I create gradients or rainbow text?
Minecraft has no native gradient support.
In Java 1.16+, gradients are simulated by applying a different HEX color to each character using JSON text.
