Which gradient format does my plugin need?
Minecraft itself has no gradient code. A gradient is one hex colour per letter, and each plugin writes hex colours its own way:
| Format | Looks like | Used by |
|---|---|---|
| &#RRGGBB | &#FF5555H | EssentialsX, most chat and nickname plugins on Spigot and Paper |
| MiniMessage | <gradient:#FF5555:#5555FF>Hi</gradient> | Paper, Velocity and plugins built on Adventure, such as MiniMOTD |
| <#RRGGBB> | <#FF5555>H | Plugins that read hex in angle brackets |
| CMI | {#FF5555>}Hi{#5555FF<} | CMI, which has its own gradient syntax |
| &x&R&R… | &x&f&f&5&5&5&5H | Spigot plugins that translate & codes (BungeeCord style hex) |
| §x§R§R… | §x§f§f§5§5§5§5H | Raw section-sign text for configs, resource packs and /tellraw strings |
| /tellraw JSON | [{"text":"H","color":"#FF5555"}] | Vanilla /tellraw, /title and command blocks |
If you are not sure, try &#RRGGBB first: it is the most widely supported form on Spigot and Paper servers.
How to use gradient text
- Nicknames: with EssentialsX, paste the
&#RRGGBBoutput after/nick. You need the colour permissions, and the server may cap nickname length. - Chat, prefixes and ranks: paste into your chat plugin's config or a LuckPerms prefix, in whichever format that chat plugin reads.
- Server MOTD: use the MiniMessage output with Velocity or MiniMOTD. The MOTD generator previews it in the server list.
- Commands and data packs: the /tellraw JSON works in vanilla, for example
/tellraw @a ["", …]with the output pasted in place of the dots.
Gradients and the chat length limit
Java chat accepts up to 256 characters, codes included. Every letter of a gradient carries its own colour code, so the text grows quickly: &#RRGGBB adds 8 characters per letter, and &x or §x codes add 14. Bold and other formats add 2 more per letter, because on Java a colour code switches formatting off and it has to be repeated. The counter above the output shows the total. MiniMessage stays short because the whole fade is one tag.
Hex colors and the 16 standard colors
Hex colours only exist on Java Edition 1.16 and newer, through JSON text and plugins. Bedrock and older servers only know the 16 standard codes, which are listed with their hex values in the Minecraft color codes chart. Want the fade as an image instead, for a banner or thumbnail? Use the Minecraft text generator.
Minecraft gradient questions
How do you make gradient text in Minecraft?
Gradient text is one hex colour per letter, blended from one colour to the next. Type your text, pick the colours, choose the format your plugin reads and paste the result into chat, a nickname command or a config file.
Which gradient format should I use?
EssentialsX and most chat and nickname plugins read &#RRGGBB. Paper, Velocity and plugins built on Adventure read MiniMessage, which has its own <gradient> tag. CMI has its own {#color>} syntax. For vanilla commands, use the /tellraw JSON.
Can you use gradients without plugins?
Only through commands. Vanilla Java shows hex colours in JSON text, so /tellraw, /title and command blocks can print a gradient. You cannot type one in chat without a plugin.
Why is my gradient too long for chat?
Java chat takes at most 256 characters, and every letter of a gradient carries its own colour code: 8 extra characters with &#RRGGBB, 14 with &x codes. Shorten the text, use fewer colour steps, or use MiniMessage, which stores the gradient in one tag.
Why does bold only apply to the first letter?
On Java, every colour code switches formatting off. With one colour per letter, the bold code has to be repeated after each colour. Tick Bold in the generator and it does that for you.
Do gradients work on Bedrock?
No. Bedrock text only uses its fixed colour codes, so hex colours and gradients are Java-only.