How to Make Colored Text in Minecraft (Java and Bedrock)

Minecraft lets you colour and style text with a small set of formatting codes, and the same codes work in several places: chat, server messages, books, item names and the server MOTD. This guide explains how to make coloured text in Minecraft step by step, how to type the section symbol, what works in Java Edition and Bedrock Edition, and how to use hex colours.

Need the full code list first? See our Minecraft color codes list and generator.

How Minecraft Colour Codes Work

A colour code is the section sign § followed by one character. Everything after the code is drawn in that colour or style until you reset it. In plugins and many server tools the symbol & is used instead of §, and the plugin converts it.

Colour 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

Formatting codes

• §k obfuscated (scrambling) text
• §l bold, §m strikethrough, §n underline, §o italic
• §r reset all colour and formatting

Put the colour first, then the style. For example, §c§lWarning shows bold red text. Using a colour code after a style code resets the style in older versions, so always write the colour before the style.

How to Type the Section Symbol (§)

• Windows: hold Alt and type 0167 on the numeric keypad.
• Mac: press Option and 6 on a US keyboard.
• Phone: open the symbols page of your keyboard, or copy the symbol from this page.
• Any device: copy § from here and paste it where you need it.

How to Make Coloured Text in Minecraft Java Edition

In chat and server messages

On servers with a chat plugin, type &c before your words and the plugin turns it into red text. Each server decides which codes players may use, so check the rules first.

With commands

Vanilla Minecraft uses JSON text for coloured messages. The command below sends red bold text to everyone:

/tellraw @a {"text":"Hello world","color":"red","bold":true}

Hex colours

Since Java 1.16 you can use any colour. In JSON text, write the hex value as the colour:

/tellraw @a {"text":"Custom colour","color":"#ff7a00"}

Many plugins also accept hex codes in chat and menus, but the exact format depends on the plugin.

On signs

In vanilla Minecraft, the easiest way to colour a sign is to use a dye on it. You can also use a glow ink sac for glowing text. Plugin servers often allow & codes on signs as well.

In books and item names

Colour codes can work in written books and renamed items depending on your version and server. Test a short line first, because support is not the same everywhere.

Server MOTD

In server.properties, write the section sign as \u00a7 followed by the code, for example \u00a76My Server for gold text.

How to Make Coloured Text in Minecraft Bedrock Edition

Bedrock uses the same § codes in many places, such as world names and server messages, but support varies by platform, and typing the symbol can be harder on consoles. Servers and add-ons often provide their own way to colour text. Test your codes on your device before relying on them.

Common Mistakes

• Using & on a vanilla server: it only works when a plugin converts it.
• Forgetting §r, so the colour carries over to the rest of the line.
• Writing the style before the colour, which resets the style.
• Copying text from a website that changes the symbol into something else.

If you want a scrambled, creepy look, combine §k with a colour. We cover that and more in our cursed text guide. For coloured messages on Discord instead, use the Discord colored text generator.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I make coloured text in Minecraft?

Type the section sign followed by a colour code, for example §c for red, before your text. On plugin servers you can use & instead of the section sign.

What is the colour code for red in Minecraft?

§c is red and §4 is dark red.

How do I type § in Minecraft?

On Windows hold Alt and type 0167 on the numeric keypad. On a Mac press Option and 6. You can also copy and paste it.

Do colour codes work on signs?

In vanilla Minecraft use dyes and glow ink to colour signs. Many plugin servers also allow & codes on signs.

Can I use hex colours in Minecraft?

Yes, in Java 1.16 and later, using JSON text such as the tellraw command. Plugins may also support hex codes.

Want to build your own coloured line? Open the Minecraft color codes generator and copy the result.