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.
Minecraft /setblock Command: Place Any Block
/setblock x y z block places one block at the coordinates you give, replacing what was there. Add keep to place it only in air, destroy to drop the old block as if mined, or replace (the default) to swap it silently. Use ~ for positions relative to you, for example /setblock ~ ~-1 ~ diamond_block.
How does /setblock work?
| Edition | Syntax |
|---|---|
| Java | /setblock <pos> <block>[states]{nbt} [destroy|keep|replace|strict] |
| Bedrock | /setblock <x y z> <block> [block states] [destroy|keep|replace] |
Modes: replace swaps the block with no drops or sound; destroy drops the old block and its contents with a breaking sound; keep only fills air; strict (Java) places the block without updating its neighbours.
What are some /setblock examples?
| Command | Result |
|---|---|
/setblock ~ ~-1 ~ gold_block | Gold block under your feet |
/setblock ~ ~ ~1 chest[facing=north] | A chest facing north (Java block states) |
/setblock 0 64 0 air destroy | Breaks the block at 0 64 0 and drops it |
/setblock ~ ~ ~ redstone_block | Powers a circuit from a command block |
Coordinates: coordinates. For many blocks at once use /fill.
What should you know about /setblock?
- It only works in loaded chunks.
- Doors and beds are two blocks; on Java, /setblock places only the half you name.
- Command blocks often use it to place a redstone block that powers the next part of a circuit; see command blocks.
- Java block states go in square brackets right after the name; Bedrock writes them as a separate argument.
Does ArtemisPvP have special blocks?
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between /setblock and /fill?
/setblock changes one block; /fill changes a whole box of blocks.
How do you break a block with a command?
/setblock x y z air destroy, which drops the old block.
Sources
Every fact on this page was checked against these pages; the wording is ours.