Tools · Formatting
Minecraft Color Code Converter
Plugin configs, MOTDs, scoreboards, and tablists use different text formats. Paste, convert, and preview the result before copying into your server.
Preview
Hex color insert
&aHello &lWorld&r &7gray
<color:#55FF55>Hello <bold>World</bold></color> <color:#AAAAAA>gray</color>
Hello World gray
§aHello §lWorld§r §7gray
| 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 |
Three formats server admins encounter
Legacy codes (&a, &l) dominate Bukkit configs. Hex extends the 16-colour palette on 1.16+. MiniMessage is Paper's readable tag format replacing opaque character codes in modern plugins.
Where admins use colour codes
Chat prefixes (LuckPerms meta), scoreboard lines, tablist header/footer, holograms, boss bars, and join messages. Each plugin documents which format it accepts.
Legacy Minecraft colour code reference
| Code | Colour | Code | Colour |
|---|---|---|---|
| &0 | Black | &8 | Dark gray |
| &1 | Dark blue | &9 | Blue |
| &2 | Dark green | &a | Green |
| &3 | Dark aqua | &b | Aqua |
| &4 | Dark red | &c | Red |
| &5 | Purple | &d | Light purple |
| &6 | Gold | &e | Yellow |
| &7 | Gray | &f | White |
How to use this tool
- 1
Paste your formatted text
Paste from a plugin config, MOTD, scoreboard line, or chat format. Select source format: legacy (& or §), hex, or MiniMessage.
- 2
Pick target format and preview
Switch output to the format your destination needs. The live preview shows approximate in-game rendering. Use "Strip all formatting" to get plain text.
- 3
Copy into your config
Copy the converted string into your plugin YAML, server.properties, or MiniMessage-enabled config. Test in-game — some contexts require § instead of &.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between & and § in Minecraft?
& is used by Bukkit plugins and server.properties; the server may translate it to § internally. § is the literal section sign Minecraft uses in chat, books, and scoreboards. Many configs accept &; scoreboard team prefixes often need § directly.
What is MiniMessage format?
MiniMessage is Paper's tag-based format: <red>text</red>, <bold>, <color:#FF5555>hex</color>. Modern Paper plugins use it via Adventure API for chat, tablist, and boss bars.
How do hex colours work in Minecraft 1.16+?
Use &#RRGGBB in plugins that support ampersand hex, §x§R§R§G§G§B§B in scoreboards, or MiniMessage <color:#RRGGBB> tags. Not every context accepts every hex format.
Which plugins use legacy vs MiniMessage?
Older plugins (EssentialsX chat, legacy scoreboard plugins) use & codes. Newer Paper plugins since 2022 often default to MiniMessage. Check the plugin wiki before converting.
Why does my colour code show as plain text in chat?
The plugin may not parse that format, the player may lack colour permission, or you used & where § is required. Strip codes to debug the raw string.
Can I convert MOTD text with this tool?
Yes for format conversion, but the MOTD generator handles two-line server list format with character limits better.
What does &r do in Minecraft formatting?
&r resets all formatting — colour, bold, italic — back to default. Always add &r after a coloured segment if following text should not inherit the colour.
Do colour codes work on Bedrock via Geyser?
Geyser translates some Java formatting for Bedrock players but not all hex and MiniMessage features. Test with Bedrock clients on your network if crossplay matters.