How to Use Color Codes on Your Minecraft Server
Add colors and formatting to chat, signs, and messages
Add colors and formatting to chat, signs, and messages
What are Color Codes?
Color codes let you add colors, bold, italics, and other formatting to text in Minecraft. They work in chat messages, signs, MOTD, and plugin configs. You use the ampersand (&) symbol followed by a code.
Color Code Reference Table
| Code | Color Name |
|---|---|
&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 Table
| Code | Format Name | Example |
|---|---|---|
&l |
Bold | Text |
&o |
Italic | Text |
&n |
Underline | <u>Text</u> |
&m |
Strikethrough | |
&k |
Obfuscated | ???? |
&r |
Reset | (removes all formatting) |
Combining Color and Formatting Codes
You can combine codes for custom effects:
| Example | Result |
|---|---|
&a&lVIP |
Bold green text: VIP |
&c&oWarning! |
Italic red text: Warning! |
&6&nShop |
Underlined gold text: Shop |
&7&k??? |
Obfuscated gray text: ??? |
&b&l&nAqua Bold Underline |
All three effects combined |
Using Color Codes in Different Places
In Chat Messages
&aWelcome to our server!
&bType /help to get started
On Signs
&6Gold Shop
&eBuy diamonds here
&7Prices listed below
In MOTD (server.properties)
motd=&aMy Awesome Server &7- &bCome play!
In Plugin Configs
messages:
welcome: "&aWelcome, &e%player%&a!"
error: "&cSomething went wrong!"
success: "&aCommand executed successfully!"
Practical Examples
| Use Case | Code |
|---|---|
| Server name | &6&lMy Server |
| Welcome message | &aWelcome to &b&lMy Server&a! |
| Error message | &cError: &fInvalid command |
| Shop sign | &6[SHOP]\n&eBuy: $100 |
| VIP tag | &d&l[VIP] &fPlayerName |
| Rules | &71. &fBe respectful\n&72. &fNo griefing |
Important Considerations
- Permissions: Some plugins require permission nodes to use colors.
- Compatibility: Not all plugins support color codes; check documentation.
- Readability: Too many colors make text hard to read; use sparingly.
- Bedrock: Bedrock Edition uses different color codes; check compatibility.
- Encoding: Save config files as UTF-8 to preserve special characters.
Conclusion
Color codes make your server look professional and help convey information clearly. Use the reference tables above to pick the right codes, combine them for custom effects, and enhance your server's appearance.
Similarly, if you are having any type of issue or problem with your server at MCServerHost you can always get in touch with us by joining our Discord server or writing to us at support@mcserverhost.com.
Related guides
- How to Write a Guide That Gets Approved: Learn what staff look for in a guide and how to fill in each field so yours is approved.
- How to Download Your Minecraft World from Your Server: Download your Minecraft world files safely and keep a backup or move them to another server.
- How to Migrate your old MCServerHost account.: How to Migrate your old MCServerHost account to the new MCServerHost.
- How to Ban, Kick and Mute Players on Your Minecraft Server: How to Ban, Kick and Mute Players on Your Minecraft Server at MCServerHost