How to use it
- Pick Java or Bedrock. Bedrock has extra material colors and no strikethrough or underline.
- Type your text, or click a color or format button to insert its code.
- Check the preview. A new color code clears bold, italic and the other formats, so add them after the color.
- Copy the version you need: § for books and anvils, & for plugins, \u00A7 for server.properties.
How color codes work
A code is the section sign § followed by one character. The game reads the code and changes how the text after it looks, until the next code. Color codes set the color and clear every format. Format codes add one style on top of the current color. The reset code r removes all of it.
That order matters. §l§aHi is green and not bold, because the green code cleared the bold. §a§lHi is green and bold. The preview above follows this rule, so you can see what will happen before you paste.
Color code chart
| Code | Name | Java hex | Bedrock hex |
|---|---|---|---|
§0 | black | #000000 | #000000 |
§1 | dark_blue | #0000AA | #0000AA |
§2 | dark_green | #00AA00 | #00AA00 |
§3 | dark_aqua | #00AAAA | #00AAAA |
§4 | dark_red | #AA0000 | #AA0000 |
§5 | dark_purple | #AA00AA | #AA00AA |
§6 | gold | #FFAA00 | #FFAA00 |
§7 | gray | #AAAAAA | #C5C5C5 |
§8 | dark_gray | #555555 | #545454 |
§9 | blue | #5555FF | #447FFF |
§a | green | #55FF55 | #54FF54 |
§b | aqua | #55FFFF | #54FFFF |
§c | red | #FF5555 | #FF5454 |
§d | light_purple | #FF55FF | #FF54FF |
§e | yellow | #FFFF55 | #FFFF54 |
§f | white | #FFFFFF | #FFFFFF |
§g | minecoin_gold | - | #EFCE16 |
§h | material_quartz | - | #D9CCB8 |
§i | material_iron | - | #A9B4B7 |
§j | material_netherite | - | #8F727D |
§m | material_redstone | - | #EE222C |
§n | material_copper | - | #C87363 |
§p | material_gold | - | #FFBF1E |
§q | material_emerald | - | #13A045 |
§s | material_diamond | - | #5FECFF |
§t | material_lapis | - | #577BFF |
§u | material_amethyst | - | #B66CDD |
§v | material_resin | - | #FF6A00 |
Gray, dark gray and blue are slightly different in the two editions, and the codes m and n are colors in Bedrock.
Formatting codes
| Code | Effect | Works in |
|---|---|---|
§k | obfuscated | Java and Bedrock |
§l | bold | Java and Bedrock |
§m | strikethrough | Java only |
§n | underline | Java only |
§o | italic | Java and Bedrock |
§r | reset | Java and Bedrock |
A worked example: a server MOTD
The server list shows two lines. Say you want a gold bold title and a gray second line with a green call to action. In ampersand form that is &6&lWelcome to my server&r on the first line and &7Survival &8| &aJoin now on the second. The tool turns it into the escaped form. In server.properties the two lines go on one line of the file, split by \n.
Where to use the codes
- server.properties. Use the escaped form § in the motd line.
- Plugins and config files. Most take & and translate it. Read the plugin docs.
- Bedrock text fields. Anvil names, signs and the world name accept the section sign. Copy it from this tool.
- Java chat. Do not type § in chat. For colored chat in commands use JSON, see the command generator.
Common mistakes
- Format before color. The color code clears the format. Put formats after the color.
- Forgetting the reset. The style continues until you reset or change color.
- Using Bedrock-only colors for Java players. They do not display in Java.
- Pasting § into Java chat. It disconnects you.
- Expecting hex colors. The § system has 16 colors in Java. Custom hex colors need JSON text, which the text generator handles.
Sources and notes
Codes, hex values and edition differences come from the Minecraft Wiki page on formatting codes, checked on 27 October 2026. The wiki marks this system as legacy. It still works, but the newer JSON text format is the modern way in Java. The preview is drawn by BlockShapes with a plain font. BlockShapes is not affiliated with Mojang or Microsoft.
Frequently asked questions
What are the Minecraft color codes?
There are 16 color codes in both editions: 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 and f white. Each starts with the section sign, for example §a.
How do I type the § symbol?
On Windows hold Alt and type 0167 on the number pad. On a Mac press Option and 6. On phones use the symbol page of the keyboard. In Bedrock you can copy and paste it. This tool also gives you a copy button, so you can paste it directly.
Why does § disconnect me in Java chat?
In Java chat the section sign is not allowed and the server kicks you. Use it in files such as server.properties, in JSON text and in text a plugin translates. Commands like /tellraw use JSON color names instead.
How do I make a colored MOTD?
Write the two lines of the MOTD in this tool, copy the escaped version and paste it into the motd line of server.properties. The \u00A7 form is needed because the file is read as plain text. Use \n for the line break.
What do the format codes do?
k makes the text scramble, l makes it bold, m strikes it through, n underlines it, o makes it italic and r resets everything. In Bedrock m and n are colors, not formats.
What is the difference between & and §?
The game only understands §. Plugins and many config files let you type & and swap it for § when the text is shown. If a tool says it takes color codes with &, use the ampersand version.
Do color codes work in signs and books?
In Bedrock they work in signs, anvils and many text fields. In Java signs use JSON text, and since 1.21.6 books no longer accept §. Check where you will use the text before you pick the version to copy.
What are the extra Bedrock colors?
Bedrock adds material colors such as g minecoin gold, q emerald, s diamond and u amethyst. They do not exist in Java, so avoid them for text that Java players will read.