How to Summon a Lightning Bolt in Minecraft

This Minecraft tutorial explains how to summon a lightning bolt with screenshots and step-by-step instructions.

You can summon a lightning bolt whenever you want using a cheat (game command) in Minecraft. This is done using the /summon command. Lightning bolts can be used to turn mobs into witches, zombie pigmen, or charged creepers.

Let's explore how to do this.

Supported Platforms

The command to summon a lightning bolt 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 (0.14.2)

* 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

In this example, we are going to summon a lightning bolt in Minecraft Java Edition (PC/Mac) 1.20 with the following command:

/summon lightning_bolt

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 lightning bolt

Once the cheat has been entered, you will hear the sound of thunder and see a flash of light. The lightning bolt will strike the ground and possibly cause a fire where it strikes.

completed summon lightning bolt

You will see the message "Summoned new Lightning Bolt" appear in the lower left corner of the game window to indicate that the lightning bolt has been summoned.

Congratulations, you have summoned a lightning bolt in Minecraft.

Command Generators

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