How to Use the Summon Command in Minecraft

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

You can summon an entity (or mob) whenever you want using the /summon command in Minecraft. Let's explore how to use this cheat (game command).

TIP: If you need help generating your /summon command, try our Summon Mob Generator.

Supported Platforms

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

PlatformSupported (Version*)
Java Edition (PC/Mac) Java Edition (PC/Mac)Yes (1.7.2)
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

* 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.

Summon Command

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 /summon command to summon a skeleton and another more complicated example that shows how to summon a tame horse wearing a saddle.

Summon a Skeleton

In this example, we will summon a skeleton in Minecraft Java Edition (PC/Mac) 1.20 with the following command:

/summon skeleton

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.

summon skeleton

Once the cheat has been entered, the skeleton will spawn and appear in your world:

completed summon skeleton

You will see the message "Summoned new Skeleton" appear in the lower left corner of the game window to indicate that the skeleton has been summoned. Because we did not provide XYZ coordinates, the skeleton will spawn directly on your position so you may need to look behind you to see it.

Summon a Tame Horse Wearing a Saddle

In this example, we are going to summon a tamed horse that is wearing a saddle and ready to ride in Minecraft Java Edition (PC/Mac) 1.20 with the following command:

/summon horse ~ ~ ~ {Tame:1, SaddleItem:{id:saddle,Count:1}}

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

summon tame horse

Once the cheat has been entered, the horse with a saddle will spawn and appear in your world:

completed summon tame horse

You will see the message "Summoned new Horse" appear in the lower left corner of the game window to indicate that the tame horse has been summoned. You may need to look behind you to see it.

TIP: Quite often you will see coordinates of ~ ~1 ~ in a /summon command, for example:

/summon zombie ~ ~1 ~

Wondering why? The coordinates ~ ~1 ~ are commonly used when running the /summon command from a command block so that the entity/mob spawns 1 block above the command block. Learn about the coordinate system.

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

Summon Examples

Here are some examples that use the summon command in Minecraft:

Command Generators

If you need help with /summon commands, you can use these tools to automatically generate commands for you: