Minecraft Color Codes & Text Formatting: Complete Guide for Java & Bedrock

June 12, 2026

Minecraft lets you add color and style to text using § (section sign) codes — a simple prefix system where § followed by a character sets a color or formatting effect. Whether you're running a server, decorating signs, naming items, or writing command messages, mastering color codes makes your text far more expressive.

The catch is that Java and Bedrock handle these codes differently, and not every code works in every context. This guide covers both editions so you know exactly what to use and where.

How §Codes Work

The format is always: § + one character (a digit or letter).

Key rules:

Color codes use a digit (0–9) or letter (a–f) after the §
Formatting codes use letters k–o and r
To combine color and formatting, write color first, then formatting — e.g., §6§l for bold gold
§r resets all active color and formatting from that point forward

Color Code Reference

Code	Color Name	Notes
§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 Code Reference

Code	Effect	Java	Bedrock
§k	Obfuscated (scrambled)	✅	✅ (conditions apply)
§l	Bold	✅	✅
§m	Strikethrough	✅	✅
§n	Underline	✅	✅
§o	Italic	✅	✅
§r	Reset	✅	✅

Note on §k (obfuscated): In Bedrock, §k only works on signs, and only with alphanumeric characters. Japanese characters (kanji, hiragana, katakana) render as dots instead of scrambling properly. Stick to ASCII text if you want the scrambled effect.

Java vs. Bedrock

Typing the § Symbol

Platform	How to type §
Bedrock (Windows)	`Alt + 21` or `Alt + 0167` on the numpad
Bedrock (mobile)	Available in the special characters keyboard
Java	Cannot be typed directly in most text fields

Signs

Bedrock: Type §6Sign Title directly into the sign text field and it works immediately.

Java: Typing §codes directly on signs does NOT produce colored text. You need to write the sign data via command using the JSON text component format:

/data merge block X Y Z {Text1:'{"text":"Title","color":"gold","bold":true}'}

JSON text components ("color":"gold") are the standard method in Java, not §codes.

Chat & Commands

Context	Java	Bedrock
Chat	✅ (plugin/mod dependent)	✅ (direct input)
/say command	✅ (server operators)	✅
/tellraw command	JSON format only	JSON format only
Item rename (anvil)	✅ §codes supported	✅ §codes supported

Where §Codes Work — and Where They Don't

Works well (Bedrock):

Sign text fields
Item names (renamed via anvil)
/say command messages
Chat input (typed directly)

Limited or non-functional:

Java sign text fields (use JSON commands instead)
§k with non-ASCII characters in Bedrock
Environments where plugins/mods have stripped §code support

Practical Examples

To display "〈Notice〉" in gold followed by "Today's Event" in yellow on a Bedrock sign:

§6<Notice>§r§eToday's Event

The §r between sections resets the gold color before applying yellow. Without it, the yellow code would layer on top of the gold and produce unexpected results.

Important: When text wraps to a new line on signs, the formatting from the previous line carries over. Start each new line with §r if you want a clean slate, then re-apply the color you want.

Author's Note

When I first tried to add colored text to signs and item names in Minecraft, I spent way too long figuring out the §code syntax. I also didn't realize Java and Bedrock handle formatting differently. That confusion is exactly why I built a tool that handles both editions.

Summary

Minecraft §codes are simple once you know the rules, but the Java vs. Bedrock distinction trips up a lot of players.

Format is always: § + one character
Color and formatting codes can be combined (color first, then formatting)
Always use §r to reset between color changes
Bedrock supports direct § input; Java signs need JSON commands

Check out the Minecraft Color Code Generator — click any color to copy the code instantly, with toggles for both Java and Bedrock editions.