Reference
Minecraft color and formatting codes
The sixteen colors and six formatting codes, each with the code you type and the exact color the game draws. For MOTDs, signs, books, team names and chat.
Colors
Type § then the code. Most tools accept & in its place.
| Swatch | Code | Name | Hex |
|---|---|---|---|
| §0&0 | black | #000000 | |
| §1&1 | dark_blue | #0000AA | |
| §2&2 | dark_green | #00AA00 | |
| §3&3 | dark_aqua | #00AAAA | |
| §4&4 | dark_red | #AA0000 | |
| §5&5 | dark_purple | #AA00AA | |
| §6&6 | gold | #FFAA00 | |
| §7&7 | gray | #AAAAAA | |
| §8&8 | dark_gray | #555555 | |
| §9&9 | blue | #5555FF | |
| §a&a | green | #55FF55 | |
| §b&b | aqua | #55FFFF | |
| §c&c | red | #FF5555 | |
| §d&d | light_purple | #FF55FF | |
| §e&e | yellow | #FFFF55 | |
| §f&f | white | #FFFFFF |
Formatting
These stack on top of a color and each other.
- §l&lboldHeavier weight.
- §o&oitalicSlanted.
- §n&nunderlineA line under the text.
- §m&mstrikethroughA line through it.
- §k&kobfuscatedCharacters scramble and flicker in game. Cannot be shown here.
- §r&rresetTurns colour and formatting back off.
Using them
In a server MOTD
The motd line in server.properties takes the real § character. A newline is \n.
motd=§6§lMy Server§r\n§7Now on 26.2
In a plugin or a sign
Most plugins and configs let you write & and translate it for you, so this is the common form:
&a[&fRank&a] &7welcome!
Frequently asked
What is the § symbol in Minecraft?
The section sign, §, is the character that starts a colour or formatting code. The next character after it picks the colour, so §a turns text green. It is followed until a §r reset or the end of the line.
Why do I type & instead of §?
Because § is hard to type. Most server software, plugins and config files let you write & instead and translate it to § for you. In server.properties and a few raw files you still need the real § character.
How do I use these in a server MOTD?
In server.properties the motd line takes the real § character, so §6§lMy Server gives a bold gold name. Many panels and plugins accept & and convert it. A bare newline is written as \n.
Can I use full hex colors, not just these sixteen?
In modern Minecraft, yes, in a lot of places: the hex format is §x followed by each hex digit prefixed with §, and plugins usually offer a shorter &#RRGGBB form. The sixteen named codes still work everywhere and are the safe choice for older clients.
Setting up a server? Check the Java version it needs.