How do you change name tag colors in Minecraft?

Who this is for: Minecraft players wanting to customize name tags with colors and special formatting effects.


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Using Color Codes for Name Tags

To change name tag colors in Minecraft, you’ll need to use special color codes when renaming items at an anvil. The process involves typing a section symbol (§) followed by a specific character that represents your desired color.

Essential Color Codes

Here are the most commonly used color codes for name tags:

  • §4 – Dark Red
  • §c – Red
  • §6 – Gold/Orange
  • §e – Yellow
  • §2 – Dark Green
  • §a – Green
  • §b – Aqua
  • §3 – Dark Aqua
  • §1 – Dark Blue
  • §9 – Blue
  • §d – Light Purple
  • §5 – Dark Purple
  • §f – White
  • §7 – Gray
  • §8 – Dark Gray
  • §0 – Black

Step-by-Step Process

Follow these steps to create colored name tags:

  1. Place your name tag and some experience levels at an anvil
  2. In the text field, type the section symbol (§) followed by your chosen color code
  3. Immediately after the color code, type the name you want displayed
  4. Pay the experience cost to complete the renaming
  5. Use the colored name tag on any mob by right-clicking

Typing the Section Symbol

Getting the section symbol can be tricky depending on your platform:

  • Java Edition (PC): Hold Alt and type 0167 on the number pad, or copy § from elsewhere
  • Bedrock Edition: Use copy-paste from online sources or character maps
  • Console versions: Limited support – check if your version allows color codes

Advanced Formatting Options

Beyond basic colors, you can add special text effects:

  • §l – Bold text
  • §o – Italic text
  • §n – Underlined text
  • §m – Strikethrough text
  • §k – Obfuscated (scrambled) text
  • §r – Reset formatting

You can combine multiple codes – for example, “§c§lRed Bold Text” creates bold red text. Remember that colored name tags work on most mobs including villagers, pets, and hostile creatures, making them perfect for organizing your Minecraft world with style.

TL;DR

Use color codes like §c for red or §a for green when renaming name tags at an anvil. Type the § symbol followed by a color code, then your desired text.

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Joyst1ck

Gaming Writer & HTML5 Developer

Answering gaming questions—from Roblox and Minecraft to the latest indie hits. I write developer‑focused HTML5 articles and share practical tips on game design, monetisation, and scripting.

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