All WorldEdit Commands for Minecraft

You are looking for a specific WorldEdit command and you land on guides that only cover //set and //copy. Or worse, lists with no examples or explanations. This reference gathers all WorldEdit commands organized by category, with the exact syntax, the available parameters and concrete use cases. Keep this page bookmarked, you will come back to it.

Key takeaways

All WorldEdit commands start with // to avoid conflicts with native Minecraft commands.
//undo undoes any operation. Test without fear, you can always go back.
On a multiplayer server, use //limit and permissions to prevent uncontrolled massive operations.
Type //help in game to display the full list of commands available on your version.

Selection

Everything in World Edit relies on selection. Before filling, copying or replacing anything, you must define the work area. By default, WorldEdit uses a cuboid selection (a 3D rectangle between two points), but other shapes are available.

Command	Parameters	Description
`//wand`		Gives the selection tool (wooden axe). Left-click = position 1, right-click = position 2.
`//pos1`		Sets position 1 on the block under your feet.
`//pos2`		Sets position 2 on the block under your feet.
`//hpos1`		Sets position 1 on the block you are aiming at from a distance.
`//hpos2`		Sets position 2 on the block you are aiming at from a distance.
`//sel`		Changes the selection shape. `cuboid` by default.
`//expand`	`[direction]`	Expands the selection in one direction (north, south, east, west, up, down).
`//contract`	`[direction]`	Contracts the selection in one direction.
`//shift`	`[direction]`	Moves the selection without moving the blocks.
`//outset`	`[-hv]`	Expands the selection in all directions. `-h` = horizontal only, `-v` = vertical only.
`//inset`	`[-hv]`	Contracts the selection in all directions.
`//size`		Displays the size of the current selection.
`//count`		Counts the number of a block type in the selection.
`//distr`	`[-c]`	Displays the block distribution in the selection. `-c` = from the clipboard.
`/toggleeditwand`		Enables/disables the wand's selection mode (lets you use the axe normally).

Tip: //sel poly lets you select polygonal shapes by clicking several points on the ground. Handy for selecting an L-shaped building or an irregular area that the cuboid mode does not cover cleanly.

History

WorldEdit's safety net. An unfortunate //set air over 100,000 blocks? One //undo and everything comes back.

Command	Parameters	Description
`//undo`	`[number]`	Undoes the last operation(s). Ex: `//undo 5` undoes the last 5.
`//redo`	`[number]`	Redoes the last undone operation(s).
`/clearhistory`		Clears the entire history. Useful for freeing RAM after large operations.

Region operations

These commands act on all blocks inside your selection. This is the heart of WorldEdit, the commands you will use most often.

Command	Parameters	Description
`//set`		Fills the entire selection. Ex: `//set stone`, `//set 70%stone,30%cobblestone`.
`//replace`		Replaces one block type with another. Ex: `//replace dirt grass_block`.
`//replace`		Without `from`, replaces all non-air blocks. Ex: `//replace stone`.
`//overlay`		Covers the top surface of the selection. Ex: `//overlay grass_block`.
`//walls`		Builds the 4 walls of the selection (no floor or ceiling).
`//faces`		Builds all 6 faces of the selection (walls + floor + ceiling).
`//smooth`	`[iterations]`	Smooths the terrain in the selection. More iterations = smoother.
`//move`	`[distance] [direction] [block]`	Moves the blocks of the selection. The void left behind is filled with `block` (air by default).
`//stack`	`[count] [direction]`	Stacks the selection in one direction. Ex: `//stack 5 north` duplicates the selection 5 times to the north.
`//regen`		Regenerates the selection (restores the original terrain as generated by the seed).
`//naturalize`		Applies 3 layers of dirt + 1 layer of grass_block on top. Simulates natural terrain.
`//hollow`	`[thickness] [block]`	Hollows out the inside of the selection, leaving only the shell.
`//center`		Places a block at the exact center of the selection.
`//flora`		Adds vegetation (grass, flowers) on the surfaces of the selection.
`//forest`	`[type] [density]`	Plants a forest in the selection. Ex: `//forest oak 10`.

The //stack command is underrated. To build a bridge, a corridor, an enclosure wall or a row of columns, build a single segment then stack it. It is faster than copy-paste and guarantees perfect alignment.

Clipboard

WorldEdit's copy-paste system. The key point to remember: the reference position is your location at the time of //copy. When you paste, the structure appears with the same relative offset to you.

Command	Parameters	Description
`//copy`		Copies the selection to the clipboard (position relative to you).
`//cut`	`[block]`	Cuts the selection (copy + delete). The void is filled with `block` (air by default).
`//paste`	`[-a] [-s]`	Pastes the clipboard. `-a` = ignores air blocks. `-s` = moves the selection to the pasted area.
`//rotate`		Rotates the clipboard. Values: 90, 180, 270.
`//flip`	`[direction]`	Mirrors the clipboard (north, south, east, west, up, down).
`/clearclipboard`		Clears the clipboard. Frees RAM.

The -a flag on //paste is probably the most useful and least known parameter. Without it, pasting a build also replaces air blocks, which creates an empty rectangle around your building. With -a, only solid blocks are pasted, and the rest of the terrain stays intact.

Schematics

Schematics let you save builds to files and reload them at will, even on another server.

Command	Parameters	Description
`//schematic save`		Saves the clipboard to a schematic file.
`//schematic load`		Loads a schematic file into the clipboard. Use `//paste` afterward.
`//schematic list`		Lists all schematics available on the server.
`//schematic delete`		Deletes a schematic file.
`//schematic formats`		Displays the supported schematic formats.

Files are stored in /plugins/WorldEdit/schematics/. You can drop schematics downloaded from online libraries there and load them directly in game.

Shape generation

These commands create geometric structures centered on your position. Add an h before the name to get the hollow version.

Command	Parameters	Description
`//sphere`		Generates a solid sphere. Ex: `//sphere stone 10`.
`//hsphere`		Generates a hollow sphere.
`//cyl`	`[height]`	Generates a cylinder. The radius can be `rx,rz` for an oval.
`//hcyl`	`[height]`	Generates a hollow cylinder.
`//pyramid`		Generates a solid pyramid.
`//hpyramid`		Generates a hollow pyramid.
`//generate`		Generates a shape from a mathematical expression. For complex shapes.
`/forestgen`	`[size] [type] [density]`	Generates a forest around you. Ex: `/forestgen 50 oak 5`.
`/pumpkins`	`[size]`	Generates a pumpkin patch.

To create a hill: generate a half-buried sphere with //sphere dirt 20, then apply //smooth several times to round off the edges. Finish with //overlay grass_block to cover everything in grass. Three commands, five minutes, one natural hill.

Brushes

Brushes bind a WorldEdit command to a held item. Each right-click runs the command where you aim. It is the go-to tool for terraforming and freehand sculpting.

Command	Parameters	Description
`//brush sphere`	`[-h]`	Sphere brush. `-h` = hollow. Ex: `//brush sphere stone 5`.
`//brush cylinder`	`[-h] [height]`	Cylinder brush.
`//brush smooth`	`[iterations]`	Smoothing brush. The most useful tool for natural terraforming.
`//brush gravity`		Makes floating blocks fall within the aimed radius. Handy after terraforming.
`//brush clipboard`		Pastes the clipboard contents on each click. Ideal for placing trees or rocks.
`//brush extinguish`		Extinguishes fires within the aimed radius.
`//brush butcher`		Kills mobs within the aimed radius.
`//brush forest`	`[density]`	Plants trees on each click.
`//brush erode`		Erodes the terrain (digs). Part of FAWE's morph system.
`//brush raise`		Raises the terrain. Part of FAWE's morph system.
`//mask`		Applies a mask to the brush (limits the affected blocks). Ex: `//mask stone`.
`//size`		Changes the size of the active brush.
`/brush none`		Disables the brush on the held tool.

Navigation

Moving quickly is as important as knowing how to edit. WorldEdit includes several teleportation and movement commands that save a considerable amount of time when you work on large projects.

Command	Description
`//ascend`	Goes up one floor (passes through the ceiling).
`//descend`	Goes down one floor (passes through the floor).
`/ceil`	Goes up to the ceiling above you and places a glass block there to stand on.
`/thru`	Passes through the wall you are aiming at.
`/jumpto`	Teleports to the block you are aiming at (left-click with the compass).
`/up`	Goes up X blocks and places a glass block under your feet.
`/unstuck`	Frees you if you are stuck inside blocks.

Tools and super pickaxe

Tools assign special functions to the held item. The super pickaxe speeds up block destruction.

Command	Parameters	Description
`//`		Enables/disables the super pickaxe.
`/sp single`		Single-block pickaxe mode (breaks instantly).
`/sp area`		Area pickaxe mode: breaks all identical blocks within the radius.
`/sp recur`		Recursive pickaxe mode: breaks connected blocks of the same type.
`/none`		Disables the active tool on the held item.
`/info`		Enables the info tool: click = displays the data of the aimed block.
`//repl`		Enables the replacement tool: each click replaces the aimed block.
`//cycler`		Enables the data cycle tool: changes a block's variants (orientation, state).
`/tree`	`[type]`	Enables the tree tool: each click plants a tree. Types: oak, birch, spruce, jungle, acacia, dark_oak.

Utilities and world

Commands that act around you within a given radius, with no prior selection needed.

Command	Parameters	Description
`//fill`	`[depth]`	Fills a hole or pool under your feet.
`//fillr`		Recursive fill (fills connected cavities).
`//drain`		Drains water or lava within the radius.
`//fixwater`		Fixes buggy water blocks (missing sources).
`//fixlava`		Fixes buggy lava blocks.
`//removeabove`	`[height]`	Removes the blocks above you within the radius.
`//removebelow`	`[depth]`	Removes the blocks below you within the radius.
`//removenear`		Removes a specific block type around you.
`//snow`		Covers the area in snow.
`//thaw`		Melts snow and ice.
`//green`		Replaces exposed dirt with grass_block.
`//ex`		Extinguishes all fires within the radius.
`/butcher`	`[radius]`	Kills hostile mobs within the radius.
`/remove`		Removes entities by type (arrows, items, paintings, boats, minecarts, xp).

Biomes

WorldEdit lets you change an area's biome without modifying the blocks. Handy for adjusting grass or water color, or for preventing snow from falling in a built area.

Command	Parameters	Description
`//setbiome`		Changes the selection's biome. Ex: `//setbiome jungle`.
`/biomelist`		Lists all available biomes.
`/biomeinfo`		Displays the biome of the aimed block or of your position.

Chunks

Command	Description
`/chunkinfo`	Displays the coordinates of the chunk you are in.
`/listchunks`	Lists the chunks covered by your selection.
`/delchunks`	Generates a script to delete the selected chunks (regeneration on next load).

Settings and configuration

Command	Parameters	Description
`//limit`		Limits the maximum number of blocks modifiable per operation. Protects against mistakes. Ex: `//limit 50000`.
`//fast`		Enables/disables fast mode (disables lighting and physics updates). Faster but may create temporary visual artifacts.
`//gmask`	`[mask]`	Applies a global mask to all operations. Without an argument, disables the mask.
`//help`	`[command]`	Displays the help for a command or the full list.

Snapshots (restoring from a backup)

If you have backups of your world, WorldEdit can restore specific areas from those backups without replacing the entire world.

Command	Parameters	Description
`/snapshot list`		Lists the available snapshots.
`/snapshot use`		Selects a snapshot to use.
`//restore`		Restores the selection from the chosen snapshot.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I cancel a WorldEdit command in progress?

On classic WorldEdit, you cannot interrupt an operation in progress. It runs to the end, and you can then use //undo. On FAWE, asynchronous operations can be interrupted via the console with /fawe cancel. This is one more reason to prefer FAWE on a multiplayer server.

How do I limit operation size for players?

Two complementary methods. First, configure max-changed-blocks in WorldEdit's config.yml file to set a global limit. Then, use permissions (LuckPerms or equivalent) to grant only the commands needed to each rank. A builder does not need //regen or /butcher.

Do WorldEdit commands work on Minecraft Bedrock?

No. WorldEdit is exclusive to Minecraft Java Edition. Unofficial ports exist for Bedrock, but with different commands (prefixed with ; instead of //) and limited features. For Bedrock, the native /fill, /clone and /structure commands cover basic operations.

What is the difference between //set and //replace?

//set replaces all blocks in the selection without distinction, air included. //replace only touches the blocks you specify (or all non-air blocks if you only indicate a target block). Concretely: //set stone turns the whole selection into a solid block of stone. //replace dirt stone only turns dirt blocks into stone, the rest is untouched.

How do I use WorldEdit with WorldGuard?

WorldGuard protects regions against modifications. A player with WorldEdit permissions will not be able to edit a WorldGuard-protected area unless they also have the WorldGuard bypass (worldguard.region.bypass.*). Both plugins are developed by the same team (EngineHub) and are designed to work together.