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Minecraft Color Codes

Complete reference for all Minecraft color and formatting codes. Includes chat codes, MOTD codes, and MiniMessage format.

Color Codes

PreviewNameCodeChat (§)MOTDHEXMiniMessage
Black&0
Dark Blue&1
Dark Green&2
Dark Aqua&3
Dark Red&4
Dark Purple&5
Gold&6
Gray&7
Dark Gray&8
Blue&9
Green&a
Aqua&b
Red&c
Light Purple&d
Yellow&e
White&f

Formatting Codes

NameCodeChat (§)MiniMessageDescription
Obfuscated&kMakes text randomly change
Bold&lMakes text bold
Strikethrough&mAdds a line through text
Underline&nUnderlines text
Italic&oMakes text italic
Reset&rResets all formatting

Chat / Signs

Use the § symbol followed by the code. In most configs, use & instead.

§cRed §aGreen

Result: Red Green

server.properties MOTD

Use Unicode escape sequences in server.properties.

motd=\u00A7cRed \u00A7aGreen

\u00A7 = § in Unicode

MiniMessage (Paper)

Modern format for Paper/Velocity plugins.

<red>Red <green>Green

Supports gradients: <gradient:red:blue>

HEX Colors (1.16+)

Minecraft 1.16+ supports full RGB hex colors. Here's how to use them:

Spigot/Bukkit Format

&#FF5555Red Text

MiniMessage Format

<#FF5555>Red Text

JSON Text (tellraw)

{"text":"Red","color":"#FF5555"}

BungeeCord Format

&x&F&F&5&5&5&5Red

Create Colorful Server Messages

Use our advanced tools to create gradient text, custom MOTDs, and formatted messages for your server.

Understanding Minecraft Color Codes

Minecraft uses a special formatting system with the § (section sign) symbol to add colors and formatting to text. These codes work in chat, signs, books, server MOTDs, and plugin configurations. Each code consists of § followed by a single character (0-9, a-f for colors, k-o and r for formatting).

Where Color Codes Work

  • • In-game chat messages
  • • Signs and books
  • • Server MOTD (server.properties)
  • • Plugin configuration files
  • • Scoreboard titles and teams
  • • Custom item names (anvil)

Tips for Using Codes

  • • Color codes reset formatting codes
  • • Apply formatting after color
  • • Use §r to reset all formatting
  • • Most plugins use & instead of §
  • • HEX colors require 1.16+

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