How to Use the Clone Command in Minecraft

This Minecraft tutorial explains how to use the /clone command with screenshots and step-by-step instructions.

You can copy or move a region of blocks using the /clone command in Minecraft. Let's explore how to use this cheat (game command).

Supported Platforms

The /clone command is available in the following versions of Minecraft:

PlatformSupported (Version*)
Java Edition (PC/Mac) Java Edition (PC/Mac)Yes (1.8)
Pocket Edition (PE) Pocket Edition (PE)Yes (0.16.0)
Xbox 360 Xbox 360No
Xbox One Xbox OneYes (1.2)
PS3 PS3No
PS4 PS4Yes (1.14.0)
Wii U Wii UNo
Nintendo Switch Nintendo SwitchYes (1.5.0)
Windows 10 Edition Windows 10 EditionYes (0.16.0)
Education Edition Education EditionYes (1.0)

* The version that it was added or removed, if applicable.
NOTE: Pocket Edition (PE), Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch, and Windows 10 Edition are now called Bedrock Edition. We will continue to show them individually for version history.

Requirements

To run game commands in Minecraft, you have to turn cheats on in your world.

Clone Command

TIP: Read our tutorial called Understanding the Coordinate System to learn about the XYZ coordinates in Minecraft and how to find your current coordinates.

Examples

How to Enter the Command

1. Open the Chat Window

The easiest way to run a command in Minecraft is within the chat window. The game control to open the chat window depends on the version of Minecraft:

  • For Java Edition (PC/Mac), press the T key to open the chat window.
  • For Pocket Edition (PE), tap on the chat button help command at the top of the screen.
  • For Xbox One, press the D-Pad (right) xbox one on the controller.
  • For PS4, press the D-Pad (right) ps4 on the controller.
  • For Nintendo Switch, press the right arrow button nintendo switch on the controller.
  • For Windows 10 Edition, press the T key to open the chat window.
  • For Education Edition, press the T key to open the chat window.

2. Type the Command

We will cover examples of how to use the /clone command to clone a region as well as move a region of blocks.

Clone a Region

In this example, let's show how to clone a region and make an exact copy of it.

For example, let's clone a pyramid from the Desert and make a copy of the pyramid in the Plains biome. In our world, we have determined that there is a pyramid whose corner coordinates are (229, 64, 335) and (205, 75, 358). You can see this pyramid in the distance in the picture below.

Now to copy this pyramid to our Plains biome at coordinates (173, 64, 254), we would use the following /clone command:

/clone 229 64 335   205 75 358   173 64 254

Type the command in the chat window. As you are typing, you will see the command appear in the lower left corner of the game window. Press the Enter key to run the command.

clone command

Once the cheat has been entered, the blocks will be cloned.

completed clone command

You will see the message "7200 block cloned" appear in the lower left corner of the game window to indicate that the clone command has successfully completed. You should now see a copy of the pyramid appear in the Plains biome.

Move a Region

You can also use the /clone command to move a region of blocks (not just copy them).

In this example, let's copy a Jungle temple whose corner coordinates are (229,74,238) and (288,88,224) and move it to a position that is 19 blocks West and 10 blocks North of our current position.

To do this, we would type in the following command:

/clone 299 74 238   288 88 224   ~-19 ~ ~-10 replace move

Type the command in the chat window and press the Enter key to run the command.

clone command

Once the cheat has been entered, the region of blocks will be moved from its original location to the new location that you specified.

completed clone command

You will see the message "2700 block cloned" appear in the lower left corner of the game window to indicate that the clone command has completed. You should now see the Jungle temple floating in the air and leave behind blocks of air in its original location.

Congratulations, you have learned how to use the /clone command in Minecraft.