Command Blocks in Minecraft: Explained (2022)

We have divided the guide into separate sections for your ease, covering everything from what is a command block to the different types of command blocks and how to use them. Use the table below to explore each section at your convenience.

What is a Command Block in Minecraft

As the name suggests, the command block is an in-game block that you can use to execute commands in Minecraft. But it can’t be obtained in survival or adventure mode if you are not using cheats. It is compatible with the in-game Redstone system. So, you can use the command block with levers, mechanisms, and other items.
In survival mode, the command block can’t be mined, blasted, or broken in any way. But you can still deactivate or modify it. As for the creative mode, you can easily break, spawn, duplicate and deactivate a command block.

Types of Command Blocks in Minecraft

Depending upon the state of blocks, there are three types of command blocks in Minecraft:

Orange impulse command blockGreen chain command blockPurple repeat command block

Impulse Command Block

This default command block automatically runs and stops the entered command. So, when you power it up, the entered command is only executed once. It’s similar to using commands in the chatbox.

Chain Command Block

Chain command block is useful in combing commands. When placed in a series, it runs the entered command only if the command block attached to it has executed its command. So, these blocks run one command after another in a chain when placed in series.

Repeat Command Block

As the name suggests, this block runs infinitely and repeats the entered commands. Thanks to the fast in-game speed, you can repeat a command up to around 20 times in just a single second.

Get Command Block On Minecraft Java (Windows, macOS, & Linux)

Command blocks have world-changing impacts, so it’s best to create a new world while testing them. But you can also use them in your existing world. With that said, follow these steps to obtain a command block in Minecraft Java on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

  1. To begin, click on the “Singleplayer” option on the home screen.
  2. Then, choose the “Create New World” option located in the bottom right corner.
  3. Here, make sure that the “Allow Cheats” option is set to On. Then, click on the “Create New World” button. You can also change your game mode to creative for your ease.
  4. If you want to turn on cheats in an existing world, use the LAN World options in the pause menu.
  5. Once you are in a world with cheats enabled, press the “T” key and type the following command. Then, press Enter.
    /give @p minecraft:command_block Commands in Minecraft are case-sensitive, so make sure to copy and paste or type the same command. If executed properly, a command block will show up in your inventory.

Get Command Block on Minecraft Bedrock (Xbox, PS4, & Switch)

You can use the following steps to get Minecraft Command Block on Switch, PS4, Xbox One/ Series X & S, and the PC edition of Minecraft Bedrock. The controls of each console might differ, but the process is the same.

  1. First, open Minecraft and click the “Play” button on the home screen.
  2. Then, click the “Create New” button in the “Worlds” tab.
  3. Here, within the game section, turn on the “Activate Cheats” toggle in the cheats section, and then click on the “Create” button. Also, make sure to change your game mode to “Creative”. You can edit these game settings within your existing worlds too.
  4. Once you are in your world, press the “T” key or your platform’s dedicated chat button. Then within the chat, enter the following command and press enter.
    /give @s minecraft:command_block Minecraft commands are case-sensitive. Make sure to take special notice of the capitalization of the letters while typing.

Get a Command Block in MCPE (Android & iOS)

Thanks to Minecraft’s inclusivity, you can get command blocks on portable consoles like Nintendo Switch. But if you are running MCPE (Minecraft Pocket Edition) on Android, iOS, or iPadOS, the steps might look slightly different. Let’s see how different they are.

  1. First, open your Minecraft app and tap on the “play” button.
  2. Then tap on the “Create New” button within the worlds menu. You can also use an existing world.
  3. In the world’s game settings, make sure to toggle on the “Activate Cheats” button. You can even enable this option in existing worlds via the pause menu. Also, while you are at it, make sure that the world’s game mode is set to “creative”.
  4. Finally, in your cheats enabled Minecraft world, tap on the chat icon located at the top of your screen.
  5. Then, type the following command in the chatbox and hit the send button.
    /give @p minecraft:command_block This command is case-sensitive. So, copy-pasting might be an easier way to enter it.

How to Place and Use Command Block in Minecraft

Due to its powerful impacts, players can’t use command blocks in survival mode. So, we first need to make sure our world is in the creative game mode. Though, on multiplayer servers, you also need OP permissions to use command blocks.
With that said, you need to run the following command to change your game mode to creative:
/gamemode creative Then, you can just look at another block and place the command block by right-clicking or using the secondary action key. Now that you know how to get a command block in Minecraft, let’s go over its UI to understand how to use it on Java and Bedrock editions.

Command Block UI on Minecraft Java and Bedrock

The command block offers the same options in both Java and Bedrock editions. However, its UI varies slightly across the two editions. So, let’s briefly go over the options you get access to:

Command Input: Here, you can enter the various in-game commands that Minecraft supports.Block Type: This option allows you to set and change the command block’s type from the default – “impulse” to “repeat” or “chain”.Condition: If a command block is conditional, it only runs a command if the previous command is successfully executed.Redstone: If you want to use the command block in a Redstone machine, you can use this option to make it run only with Redstone power.

Exclusive Options

The command block on the Bedrock edition has some additional options beyond the regular ones. Here’s what each of them means:

Execute on First Tick‌: This option ensures that the command on the repeat block gets executed as soon as the block is activated. There is no time delay.Delay in Ticks‌: On a repeat or chain command block, this option specifies the time delay before a command gets executed. But on a repeat command block, it specifies a delay between each repeated command execution.Hover Note‌: This comparatively simple option allows you to name each command block. Though, you can also use this for message commands to display the name of the sender in the chat.

Get and Use Command Blocks in Minecraft

With that, you can now easily get command blocks in Minecraft Java and Bedrock edition. With them, you can upgrade custom maps, make a private Minecraft server, and make your world better overall. One of the most fun ways to use command blocks is to make a perfect circle in Minecraft. But even with such power, there is no way to use them without learning Minecraft commands. Fortunately, there’s an easier alternative in the form of the best Minecraft mods. You just have to install Forge in Minecraft to run the mods and enjoy even more power than the command block. Having said that, how do you plan on using a command block in your world? Tell us in the comments below!