Table of Contents
Who this is for: Minecraft players wanting to add colorful text to signs, books, items, and other in-game elements.
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Using Color Codes in Minecraft
Minecraft uses a simple color code system that works across different platforms. The most common method involves typing a section symbol (§) followed by a specific character to change text color.
Basic Color Code Format
The standard format is: §[code][your text]
Here are the most popular color codes:
- §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
- §f – White
How to Type the Section Symbol
Getting the § symbol can be tricky depending on your platform:
- Windows: Hold Alt and type 0167 on the number pad, or Alt + 21
- Mac: Option + 6
- Mobile/Bedrock: Copy and paste the symbol from online sources
Where Color Codes Work
You can use color codes in several places:
- Signs (most common use)
- Books and quills
- Anvil item renaming
- Chat messages (server-dependent)
- Command blocks with tellraw commands
Advanced Formatting Options
Beyond colors, you can add special effects:
- §k – Obfuscated (scrambled text)
- §l – Bold
- §m – Strikethrough
- §n – Underline
- §o – Italic
- §r – Reset (removes all formatting)
Alternative Methods
For Java Edition players, you can also use the ampersand (&) symbol instead of § in some contexts, particularly with certain mods or plugins. Some servers also support hex color codes for even more precise color control.
Troubleshooting Tips
If your color codes aren’t working, check that you’re using the correct symbol and that the feature is enabled on your server. Remember that color formatting resets at the end of each line, so you’ll need to reapply codes for multi-line text.
Whether you’re creating colorful signs or customizing item names, mastering these color codes opens up endless creative possibilities in your Minecraft adventures.
TL;DR
Use §[code] before text to change colors in Minecraft, where codes like §c make red text and §a makes green. Works on signs, books, and item names.
