What is the Minecraft Color Codes tool?
The Minecraft Color Codes tool is both a modern RGB color picker and a complete reference for the 16 legacy colors and text styles. It shows the exact HEX value and produces native section-sign codes, common plugin aliases, MOTD escapes, and MiniMessage colors where applicable.
Minecraft's legacy colors use a formatting marker followed by one hexadecimal-style character. The section sign (§) is the native legacy marker, while many server plugins accept an ampersand (&) alias and translate it before display.
How to use Minecraft color codes
- Choose a workflow.Pick a custom RGB color, build a small reusable palette, or open the legacy color reference.
- Select a color or style.Use the picker for exact HEX values or choose one of Minecraft's named legacy colors and formatting codes.
- Copy the matching syntax.Select the native, plugin, MOTD, MiniMessage, or HEX form required by the destination.
- Verify compatibility.Test the code in the exact command, plugin, configuration field, edition, and version where it will be used.
Java and Bedrock compatibility
Color support varies by edition, version, command, and input field. Modern Java commands such as /tellraw use structured text components, while server plugins may support ampersand codes, MiniMessage, or RGB colors. Bedrock has related formatting codes but not every Java server format. A code working in chat does not guarantee it will work in a sign, book, item name, or configuration file.
Where color codes are commonly used
Common uses include server MOTDs, plugin messages, scoreboards, signs, books, and chat. If a code appears literally, the field probably expects another syntax, the plugin's color-code translation is disabled, or the section sign was stripped during copy and paste.
Build full commands with the Minecraft Text Generator, or create per-character RGB output with the Minecraft Gradient Generator.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between § and & color codes?
The section sign is Minecraft's legacy formatting marker. Ampersand is a convenient alias that many server plugins translate, but vanilla does not universally interpret it.
Do Minecraft color codes work in every text field?
No. Support depends on the edition, version, text field, command, server software, and installed plugins. Structured text components are preferred for many modern Java commands.
Can I copy already formatted text?
Yes. Pick a color and formatting options, then copy a §, &, or server.properties-safe version of the sample text.
Are Java and Bedrock colors identical?
The familiar 16 named colors are closely related, but supported inputs and rendering contexts differ between editions. Always test the target field or server.
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