How to Use the TellRaw Command in Minecraft
This Minecraft tutorial explains how to use the /tellraw command with screenshots and step-by-step instructions.
You can use the /tellraw command to send a private JSON message to a player or group of players in Minecraft. This function allows you to format color, bold and italics for the message. Let's explore how to use this cheat (game command).
Supported Platforms
The /tellraw command is available in the following versions of Minecraft:
Platform | Supported (Version*) |
Java Edition (PC/Mac) | Yes (1.7.2) |
Pocket Edition (PE) | Yes (1.9.0) |
Xbox 360 | No |
Xbox One | Yes (1.9.0) |
PS3 | No |
PS4 | Yes (1.14.0) |
Wii U | No |
Nintendo Switch | Yes (1.9.0) |
Windows 10 Edition | Yes (1.9.0) |
Education Edition | Yes (1.9.0) |
* 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.
TellRaw Command
- Java
- PE
- Xbox
- PS
- Nintendo
- Win10
- Edu
TellRaw Command in Minecraft Java Edition (PC/Mac)
In Minecraft Java Edition (PC/Mac), the syntax to send a private JSON message to a player is:
/tellraw <targets> <message>
TellRaw Command in Minecraft Pocket Edition (PE)
In Minecraft Pocket Edition (PE), the syntax to send a private JSON message to a player is:
/tellraw <target> <raw json message>
Definitions
- target is the name of a player (or a target selector) to send the private message to.
- raw json message is the private message to send. It must be in a rawtext object that contains an array with the message.
TellRaw Command in Minecraft Xbox One Edition
In Minecraft Xbox One Edition, the syntax to send a private JSON message to a player is:
/tellraw <target> <raw json message>
Definitions
- target is the name of a player (or a target selector) to send the private message to.
- raw json message is the private message to send. It must be in a rawtext object that contains an array with the message.
TellRaw Command in Minecraft PS4 Edition
In Minecraft PS4 Edition, the syntax to send a private JSON message to a player is:
/tellraw <target> <raw json message>
Definitions
- target is the name of a player (or a target selector) to send the private message to.
- raw json message is the private message to send. It must be in a rawtext object that contains an array with the message.
TellRaw Command in Minecraft Nintendo Switch Edition
In Minecraft Nintendo Switch Edition, the syntax to send a private JSON message to a player is:
/tellraw <target> <raw json message>
Definitions
- target is the name of a player (or a target selector) to send the private message to.
- raw json message is the private message to send. It must be in a rawtext object that contains an array with the message.
TellRaw Command in Minecraft Windows 10 Edition
In Minecraft Windows 10 Edition, the syntax to send a private JSON message to a player is:
/tellraw <target> <raw json message>
Definitions
- target is the name of a player (or a target selector) to send the private message to.
- raw json message is the private message to send. It must be in a rawtext object that contains an array with the message.
TellRaw Command in Minecraft Education Edition
In Minecraft Education Edition, the syntax to send a private JSON message to a player is:
/tellraw <target> <raw json message>
Definitions
- target is the name of a player (or a target selector) to send the private message to.
- raw json message is the private message to send. It must be in a rawtext object that contains an array with the message.
Examples
- Java
- PE
- Xbox
- PS
- Nintendo
- Win10
- Edu
Example in Java Edition (PC/Mac)
To send the private message "Herobrine joined the game" in yellow text to the player called DigMinecraft in Minecraft Java Edition (PC/Mac):
/tellraw DigMinecraft {"text":"Herobrine joined the game","color":"yellow"}
To send the private message "Let's Begin!" to a random player:
/tellraw @r {"text":"Let's Begin!","color":"light_purple","bold":true}
Example in Pocket Edition (PE)
To send the private message "Go to the Pillager Outpost" to the player called DigMinecraft in Minecraft PE:
/tellraw DigMinecraft {"rawtext":[{"text":"Go to the Pillager Outpost"}]}
Example in Xbox One Edition
To send the private message "Look behind you" to the player called Axe2Grind in Minecraft Xbox One Edition:
/tellraw Axe2Grind {"rawtext":[{"text":"Look behind you"}]}
Example in PS4 Edition
To send the private message "Look for a Bee Nest" to the player called Axe2Grind in Minecraft PS4 Edition:
/tellraw Axe2Grind {"rawtext":[{"text":"Look for a Bee Nest"}]}
Example in Nintendo Switch Edition
To send the private message "Go West" to the nearest player called TheEarthMover in Minecraft Nintendo Switch Edition:
/tellraw TheEarthMover {"rawtext":[{"text":"Go West"}]}
Example in Windows 10 Edition
To send the private message "Meet me at the Village" to the player called DigMinecraft in Minecraft Windows 10 Edition:
/tellraw DigMinecraft {"rawtext":[{"text":"Meet me at the Village"}]}
Example in Education Edition
To send the private message "Run!" to the player called TheExcavator in Minecraft Education Edition:
/tellraw TheExcavator {"rawtext":[{"text":"Run!"}]}
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 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 send a private message to the player called DigMinecraft with the following command:
/tellraw DigMinecraft {"text":"Herobrine joined the game","color":"yellow"}
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 message will be displayed to the targeted players.
In this example, the message "Herobrine joined the game" will be displayed in the Chat window of the player named DigMinecraft.
Congratulations, you just learned how to use the /tellraw command in Minecraft!