How to Use the PlayAnimation Command in Minecraft
This Minecraft tutorial explains how to use the /playanimation command with screenshots and step-by-step instructions.
The /playanimation command can be used to play an animation for one or more entities in Minecraft. Let's explore how to use this cheat (game command).
Supported Platforms
The /playanimation command is available in the following versions of Minecraft:
Platform | Supported (Version*) |
Java Edition (PC/Mac) | No |
Pocket Edition (PE) | Yes (1.16.100) |
Xbox 360 | No |
Xbox One | Yes (1.16.100) |
PS3 | No |
PS4 | Yes (1.16.100) |
Wii U | No |
Nintendo Switch | Yes (1.16.100) |
Windows 10 Edition | Yes (1.16.100) |
Education Edition | Yes (1.17.30) |
* 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.
PlayAnimation Command
- PE
- Xbox
- PS
- Nintendo
- Win10
- Edu
PlayAnimation Command in Minecraft Pocket Edition (PE)
In Minecraft Pocket Edition (PE), the syntax to play an animation is:
/playanimation <entity> <animation> [next_state] [blend_out_time] [stop_expression] [controller]
Definitions
- entity is the name of a player (or a target selector).
- animation is the name of the animation to play.
- next_state is optional. It is the name of the next animation to play after the first animation.
- blend_out_time is optional. It is a float value that indicates the duration of the gradient animation.
- stop_expression is optional. It is the condition for stopping the animation.
- controller is optional. It is the name of an animation controller.
PlayAnimation Command in Minecraft Xbox One Edition
In Minecraft Xbox One Edition, the syntax to play an animation is:
/playanimation <entity> <animation> [next_state] [blend_out_time] [stop_expression] [controller]
Definitions
- entity is the name of a player (or a target selector).
- animation is the name of the animation to play.
- next_state is optional. It is the name of the next animation to play after the first animation.
- blend_out_time is optional. It is a float value that indicates the duration of the gradient animation.
- stop_expression is optional. It is the condition for stopping the animation.
- controller is optional. It is the name of an animation controller.
PlayAnimation Command in Minecraft PS4 Edition
In Minecraft PS4 Edition, the syntax to play an animation is:
/playanimation <entity> <animation> [next_state] [blend_out_time] [stop_expression] [controller]
Definitions
- entity is the name of a player (or a target selector).
- animation is the name of the animation to play.
- next_state is optional. It is the name of the next animation to play after the first animation.
- blend_out_time is optional. It is a float value that indicates the duration of the gradient animation.
- stop_expression is optional. It is the condition for stopping the animation.
- controller is optional. It is the name of an animation controller.
PlayAnimation Command in Minecraft Nintendo Switch Edition
In Minecraft Nintendo Switch Edition, the syntax to play an animation is:
/playanimation <entity> <animation> [next_state] [blend_out_time] [stop_expression] [controller]
Definitions
- entity is the name of a player (or a target selector).
- animation is the name of the animation to play.
- next_state is optional. It is the name of the next animation to play after the first animation.
- blend_out_time is optional. It is a float value that indicates the duration of the gradient animation.
- stop_expression is optional. It is the condition for stopping the animation.
- controller is optional. It is the name of an animation controller.
PlayAnimation Command in Minecraft Windows 10 Edition
In Minecraft Windows 10 Edition, the syntax to play an animation is:
/playanimation <entity> <animation> [next_state] [blend_out_time] [stop_expression] [controller]
Definitions
- entity is the name of a player (or a target selector).
- animation is the name of the animation to play.
- next_state is optional. It is the name of the next animation to play after the first animation.
- blend_out_time is optional. It is a float value that indicates the duration of the gradient animation.
- stop_expression is optional. It is the condition for stopping the animation.
- controller is optional. It is the name of an animation controller.
PlayAnimation Command in Minecraft Education Edition
In Minecraft Education Edition, the syntax to play an animation is:
/playanimation <entity> <animation> [next_state] [blend_out_time] [stop_expression] [controller]
Definitions
- entity is the name of a player (or a target selector).
- animation is the name of the animation to play.
- next_state is optional. It is the name of the next animation to play after the first animation.
- blend_out_time is optional. It is a float value that indicates the duration of the gradient animation.
- stop_expression is optional. It is the condition for stopping the animation.
- controller is optional. It is the name of an animation controller.
Examples
- PE
- Xbox
- PS
- Nintendo
- Win10
- Edu
Example in Pocket Edition (PE)
To play the sleep animation for all foxes in Minecraft PE:
/playanimation @e[type=fox] animation.fox.sleep
Example in Xbox One Edition
To play the sit animation for all foxes in Minecraft Xbox One Edition:
/playanimation @e[type=fox] animation.fox.sit
Example in PS4 Edition
To play the sitting animation for all pandas in Minecraft PS4 Edition:
/playanimation @e[type=panda] animation.panda.sitting
Example in Nintendo Switch Edition
To play the sneezing animation for all pandas in Minecraft Nintendo Switch Edition:
/playanimation @e[type=panda] animation.panda.sneezing
Example in Windows 10 Edition
To play the sleep animation for all foxes in Minecraft Windows 10 Edition:
/playanimation @e[type=fox] animation.fox.sleep
Example in Education Edition
To play the sit animation for all foxes in Minecraft Education Edition:
/playanimation @e[type=fox] animation.fox.sit
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 Pocket Edition (PE), tap on the chat button at the top of the screen.
- For Xbox One, press the D-Pad (right) on the controller.
- For PS4, press the D-Pad (right) on the controller.
- For Nintendo Switch, press the right arrow button 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
In this example, we will play the animation called animation.fox.sleep
for all foxes with the following command:
/playanimation @e[type=fox] animation.fox.sleep
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.
Once the cheat has been entered, the fog setting will be added.
You will see the message "Animation request sent to clients for processing." appear in the top left corner of the game window to indicate that the command has successfully completed. In this case, the sleeping animation will begin playing for all foxes in your Minecraft world.
Congratulations, you have learned how to use the /playanimation command in Minecraft.