Updated 25 October 2026. Facts on this page come from minecraft.wiki, minecraft.net and the live Artemis PvP server; sources are listed at the bottom.
How to Change Game Mode in Minecraft (/gamemode)
Type /gamemode creative (or survival, adventure, spectator) in chat to change your game mode. You need cheats turned on in singleplayer or operator rights on a server. Bedrock also accepts short forms such as /gamemode c or /gamemode 1, and Java players can hold F3 and press F4 to switch with a menu.
What is the /gamemode command?
The command is /gamemode <mode> [player]. Leave the player out to change your own mode, or name a player or a target selector such as @a to change someone else's.
| Mode | Java | Bedrock short forms |
|---|---|---|
| Survival | /gamemode survival | s or 0 |
| Creative | /gamemode creative | c or 1 |
| Adventure | /gamemode adventure | a or 2 |
| Spectator | /gamemode spectator | Name only |
| Default (the world's default mode) | Not available | d or 5 |
Hardcore is not a game mode, so /gamemode hardcore does not work: Hardcore is chosen when the world is created. See Hardcore mode.
Why does /gamemode say I don't have permission?
On Java the command needs permission level 2, which means operator (op) on a server or cheats in singleplayer. If you made the world without cheats, open the pause menu, choose World Options and turn cheats on (since Java 26.2 Open to LAN no longer grants cheats). On Bedrock the world needs cheats turned on in its settings, and turning cheats on stops that world from earning achievements. See Minecraft commands.
Is there a faster way to switch game mode?
- Java: hold F3 and press F4 to open the game mode switcher; keep holding F3 and press F4 again to move between modes, then let go to pick one. It needs the same permission as the command.
- Java: F3 + N swaps between Spectator and the mode you were in before.
- Bedrock: no switcher menu; use the command or change your personal game mode in the world settings.
What does each game mode do?
Survival has health, hunger and mining. Creative gives unlimited blocks, flying and no damage. Adventure stops you breaking or placing most blocks, so map makers use it. Spectator lets you fly through walls and, on Java, see through mobs' eyes, without touching anything. On Java, /defaultgamemode <mode> changes the default for new players; on Bedrock, change it in the world settings. Full details: game modes and difficulty.
Which commands can players use on ArtemisPvP?
Frequently asked questions
How do I change to creative in Minecraft?
Type /gamemode creative with cheats on (or as an operator on a server). On Bedrock /gamemode c also works.
Can you switch to hardcore with /gamemode?
No. Hardcore is not a game mode; it is set when the world is created.
Sources
Every fact on this page was checked against these pages; the wording is ours.