Structure Block

This article is about the block in Minecraft. For the block in Minecraft: Story Mode, see MCSM:Structure Block.
Not to be confused with Structure Void.
Structure Block

Structure Block.png: Infobox image for Structure Block the block in Minecraft

Structure Block Save.png: Infobox image for Structure Block the block in Minecraft

Structure Block Load.png: Infobox image for Structure Block the block in Minecraft

Structure Block Corner.png: Infobox image for Structure Block the block in Minecraft

Structure Block Data.png: Infobox image for Structure Block the block in Minecraft

Structure Block Export.png: Infobox image for Structure Block the block in Minecraft

Invicon Structure Block.png: Inventory sprite for Structure Block in Minecraft as shown in-game with description:
Rarity tier
  • Epic ‌
  • Common ‌
Renewable

No

Stackable

Yes (64)

Tool

None

Blast resistance

3,600,000

Hardness

-1

Luminous

No

Transparent

No

Flammable

No

Catches fire
from lava

No

Map color (JE)


 22 COLOR_LIGHT_GRAY

A structure block is used to generate structures manually. They can also be used to save and load structures, alongside structure void blocks.

Obtaining

Structure blocks are available using the /setblock, /fill, or /give commands, and are available in the Creative inventory in Java Edition. When placed, structure blocks are unbreakable in Survival and have the same blast resistance as bedrock. In Bedrock Edition, only save-mode structure blocks are obtainable through commands.

Usage

When placed, use the structure block to open its GUI. The GUI opens only if the player is in Creative mode, and has permission level 2 or higher.

Once a structure is named, its name appears above the structure block when highlighted, preceded by the block mode (e.g. "Save:minecraft:example").‌

Switching between modes preserves the settings of the structure block wherever possible.

In item form, the structure block uses a "blank" texture, a texture that is not used when on a placed block.

Structure blocks can't be moved by pistons, and can't be destroyed by the ender dragon.

Save

Save mode GUI for Java Edition
Save mode GUI for Bedrock Edition

BlockSprite structure-block-save.png: Sprite image for structure-block-save in Minecraft Save mode allows the player to highlight a structure in the world and save it to memory, level file,‌ or a separate file.

Structure Name
A text box for entering the resource location of the structure to be saved. Only some characters are allowed. In Bedrock Edition, it has a "mystructure:" prefix by default.
Relative Position
The X, Y, and Z offsets of the structure, relative to the bottom north-west corner of the structure block. Sets the origin of the structure outline.
In Java Edition, the origin must be at most 48 blocks away in all directions. In Bedrock Edition, the origin must be at most 64 blocks away horizontally, and 384 blocks vertically.
All invisible blocks shown by structure blocks
Show invisible blocks ‌
This section is missing information about: What color was used for structure voids prior to 21w20a? And were there any other changers since their introduction in 1.10 (ignoring the old dark outlines)?.
 
Please expand the section to include this information. Further details may exist on the talk page.
Displays invisible blocks as small colored cubes. Off by default.
Invisible blocks as shown by the "Show invisible blocks" option
Block Appearance Color Notes
Air
minecraft:air
Cave Air
minecraft:cave_air
Void Air
minecraft:void_air

 rgb(127.5, 127.5, 255)
All air types look the same by design.[1]
Structure Void
minecraft:structure_void

 rgb(255, 191.25, 191.25)
Barrier
minecraft:barrier

 rgb(255, 0, 0)
Light Block
minecraft:light

 rgb(255, 255, 0)
Structure Size
X, Y, and Z offset from the Relative Position coordinates. This sets the opposite corner of the structure, and defines the structure's size.
The maximum structure size is 48x48x48 in Java Edition and 64x384x64 in Bedrock Edition.
When successful, generates an outline surrounding the structure that's mostly white except for the red, green and blue lines that represent the X, Y and Z axis. In Bedrock Edition, the structure also gets previewed with a rotatable 3D model inside of the structure block's GUI.
Detect structure size and position
Automatically calculates the size and position of the structure using a corner block placed on the opposite corner of the structure.
The name of the structure in the save block must match the name within the corner block, or the size calculation fails.
Two corner blocks can also be used. It uses the second corner block instead of the structure block.
Remove blocks ‌
When saving the structure, if enabled, no blocks are included in the structure.
Include entities
When saving the structure, if this option is on, saves any entities within the structure as well.
Save
When all coordinates and a structure name have been entered, press this button to save the structure.
In Java Edition, this saves the structure to a file. The name of the structure is the name of the file.
Structures can be saved to a file only by manually pressing this button. If a structure block in Save mode is instead powered by redstone, the structure is only saved in memory. This is the case even if a file for that structure already exists on disk. Reloading the world clears any structures stored in memory. This is for unspecified security reasons.[2]
If no namespace is specified, a default value of minecraft is used. This can be changed by prefixing the structure name with <namespace>: in the structure block.
Structures are saved in .minecraft/saves/(WorldName)/generated/(namespace)/structures. [note 1]
In Bedrock Edition, this saves the structure into the level database file rather than a standalone file. The structure block can be configured to either save to memory or to disk (the level file) when activated by redstone.
Export ‌
Used to export a structure into a .mcstructure file, which can be used to load from the structures folder of a behavior pack. If the structure contains a custom block from a behavior pack, then the block is also saved on the structure block. This option is only available on Windows 10 devices by default and Android with resource packs.

Load

Load Mode GUI for Java Edition
Load Mode GUI for Bedrock Edition

BlockSprite structure-block-load.png: Sprite image for structure-block-load in Minecraft Load mode allows the player to load and rotate saved structures.

Structure Name
The name of the structure to load.
In Java Edition, structures are searched in the following order:
  • from memory
  • from a file (.minecraft/saves/<World Name>/generated/<namespace>/structures/)
  • from data packs
  • built-in structures from minecraft.jar
In Bedrock Edition, structures are searched for in the following order:
  • from memory
  • from disk (level database)
  • from a behavior pack
In Bedrock Edition, vanilla NBT structure files cannot be loaded with structure block.
Relative Position
The X, Y, and Z offsets of the structure, relative to the bottom north-west corner of the structure block. Coordinates may be specified as numbers between -48 and 48 In Java Edition, or between -64 and 64 In Bedrock Edition​.
Show bounding box
Highlights the outline of the structure. On by default.
Structure Integrity and Seed
Removes random blocks that compose the structure based on a user-defined seed.
Lower integrity values result in more blocks being removed. The integrity value must be between 0.0 and 1.0‌ or 100.00‌.
Strict Placement‌
When on, the blocks of the structure do not emit block updates or run their post-placement code when the structure gets loaded.
Include entities
Include any entities saved in the structure file when loading the structure. Off by default.
Waterlog blocks ‌
When loading the structure blocks that replace water become waterlogged instead of replacing blocks with air, creating air pockets.
Remove blocks ‌
When loading the structure, don't include any blocks from the saved structure.
Rotation (0, 90, 180, 270)
Sets the rotation of the structure to 0° (no rotation), 90° clockwise, 180° clockwise, and 270° clockwise (or 90° counter-clockwise).
Mirror (¦, <>, ^v)
Sets the mirroring of the structure to none (¦), left to right (< >), or front to back (^ v). At 0° rotation < > mirrors across the X-axis and ^ v mirrors across the Z-axis.​
In Bedrock Edition, the options are x and z, which can be toggled to set mirroring.
Animation mode ‌
Select the animation to show how structure is loaded. Place by layer make structure loaded layer by layer, place by block make structure loaded one block by block. Default to none.
Once the loading has started, breaking the structure block can not stop the loading process.
Loading with animation may break blocks in structures that contain multiple parts (such as beds, doors, or tall grass), or need to be attached to other blocks (such as torches), and may cause water, lava, and fire to spread out.
Animation time ‌
Adjust the animation time for loading the structure.
Load
Press to load the structure.
In Java Edition, press this button once to prepare the outline preview of the structure. When satisfied with the position, press again to generate the structure.
A redstone signal will also activate the structure block and load the structure.

Corner

Corner Mode GUI for Java Edition.
Corner Mode GUI for Bedrock Edition.

BlockSprite structure-block-corner.png: Sprite image for structure-block-corner in Minecraft Corner mode allows for an easier and automatic size calculation while saving or loading structures.

To use, place on the opposite corner of a save structure block or a second corner structure block. Then, using a save block, press "DETECT".
When successful, a bounding outline appears.
Structure Name
The name of the structure on which to calculate the size and position.
Name is case sensitive‌, it must match exactly with the name provided by the complementary save or corner structure block.

Data

Data mode GUI

BlockSprite structure-block-data.png: Sprite image for structure-block-data in Minecraft Data is a deprecated mode, which is superseded by the jigsaw block, but still used in some certain vanilla structures (igloo, end city, woodland mansion, ocean ruin, shipwreck). Structure blocks in data mode can be used only during natural generation. They mark the location to run a specified hardcoded function, which can be used only for relevant structures. In Java Edition, this mode is hidden unless the Alt key is held while switching from Corner mode. In Bedrock Edition, data mode structure block cannot be obtained with commands.

Custom Data Tag Name
The name of the function to run.
Igloo
"chest" - sets the loot table for a chest beneath the structure block to "chests/igloo_chest" and sets the loot table seed dependent on the world seed.
End city
"Chest" - Sets the loot table for a chest beneath the structure block to "chests/end_city_treasure" and sets the loot table seed dependent on the world seed.
"Sentry" - Creates a shulker at the location of the structure block.
"Elytra" - Creates an item frame entity with an elytra item inside it at the location of the structure block.
Woodland mansion
"ChestSouth" - Sets the loot table for a chest that replaces the structure block to "chests/woodland_mansion" and sets the loot table seed dependent on the world seed.
"ChestNorth" - Sets the loot table for a chest that replaces the structure block to "chests/woodland_mansion" and sets the loot table seed dependent on the world seed.
"ChestEast" - Sets the loot table for a chest that replaces the structure block to "chests/woodland_mansion" and sets the loot table seed dependent on the world seed.
"ChestWest" - Sets the loot table for a chest that replaces the structure block to "chests/woodland_mansion" and sets the loot table seed dependent on the world seed.
"Mage" - Creates an evoker at the location of the structure block.
"Warrior" - Creates a vindicator at the location of the structure block.
"Group of Allays" - Creates a group of allays at the location of the structure block.
Ocean ruins
"chest" - Creates a chest at the location of the structure block, setting its loot table to either "chests/underwater_ruin_big" or "chests/underwater_ruin_small", with seed dependent on the world seed.
"drowned" - Creates a drowned at the location of the structure block.
Shipwreck
"map_chest" - Sets the loot table for a chest that replaces the structure block to "chests/shipwreck_map" and sets the loot table seed dependent on the world seed.
"treasure_chest" - Sets the loot table for a chest that replaces the structure block to "chests/shipwreck_treasure" and sets the loot table seed dependent on the world seed.
"supply_chest" - Sets the loot table for a chest that replaces the structure block to "chests/shipwreck_supply" and sets the loot table seed dependent on the world seed.

3D Export

Export Mode GUI

BlockSprite structure-block-export.png: Sprite image for structure-block-export in Minecraft 3D Export mode‌,[note 2] is similar to save mode, but the structure is saved as a 3D render in the format of .glb rather than as an actual structure.[3] Therefore, structures saved this way can be viewed with 3D Viewer[4] or Paint 3D[5], but cannot be generated via load mode.

The 3D file exported is basically the same as the real-time rendering in the preview. End portal blocks, nether portal blocks, etc. in .glb file have only a static texture. Some blocks cannot be displayed properly, such as piston arms, chests, beds, etc. Including entities is not supported in this mode.

Structure blocks in 3D output mode cannot be activated by redstone.

Structure Name
Enter the name of the structure. Case sensitive. The player must enter a file name in order to export.
Relative Position
Enter the X, Y, and Z values for the structure here, based on the position of the structure block. Sets the origin of the structure outline.
Maximum allowed distance from the structure block is 64 blocks in any direction.
Structure Size
Enter the X, Y, and Z values to set the distance from the Relative Position coordinates. This sets the opposite corner of the structure, and defines its size.
Maximum structure size is 64×384×64.
Remove Blocks
While exporting the structure, doesn't include any blocks within saved structure.

Sounds

Java Edition:

BlockSprite stone.png: Sprite image for stone in Minecraft stone sound type
SoundSubtitlesSourceDescriptionResource locationTranslation keyVolumePitchAttenuation
distance
​Block brokenBlocksOnce the block has brokenblock.stone.breaksubtitles.block.generic.break1.00.816
​Block placedBlocksWhen the block is placedblock.stone.placesubtitles.block.generic.place1.00.816
​Block breakingBlocksWhile the block is in the process of being brokenblock.stone.hitsubtitles.block.generic.hit0.250.516
​Something falls on a blockEntity-DependentFalling on the block with fall damageblock.stone.fallsubtitles.block.generic.fall0.50.7516
​FootstepsEntity-DependentWalking on the blockblock.stone.stepsubtitles.block.generic.footsteps0.151.016

Bedrock Edition:

BlockSprite bricks.png: Sprite image for bricks in Minecraft normal sound type
SoundSourceDescriptionResource locationVolumePitch
BlocksOnce the block has brokendig.stone1.00.8-1.0
BlocksWhen the block is placeddig.stone1.00.8-1.0
BlocksWhile the block is in the process of being brokenhit.stone0.27 [sound 1]0.5
PlayersFalling on the block with fall damagefall.stone0.41.0
PlayersWalking on the blockstep.stone0.31.0
BlocksJumping from the blockjump.stone0.121.0
BlocksFalling on the block without fall damageland.stone0.221.0
  1. MCPE-169612 — Many blocks make slightly different sounds to stone

Data values

ID

Java Edition:

NameIdentifierFormBlock tagsTranslation key
BlockSprite structure-block.png: Sprite image for structure-block in Minecraft Structure Blockstructure_blockBlock & Itemdragon_immune
wither_immune
block.minecraft.structure_block
NameIdentifier
BlockSprite structure-block.png: Sprite image for structure-block in Minecraft Block entitystructure_block

Bedrock Edition:

NameIdentifierNumeric ID FormItem ID[i 1]Translation key
BlockSprite structure-block.png: Sprite image for structure-block in Minecraft Structure Blockstructure_block252Block & Giveable Item[i 2]Identical[i 3]tile.structure_block.name
  1. ID of block's direct item form, which is used in savegame files and addons.
  2. Available with /give command.
  3. The block's direct item form has the same ID as the block.
NameSavegame ID
BlockSprite structure-block.png: Sprite image for structure-block in Minecraft Block entityStructureBlock

Block states

Export Structure Block

See also: Block states

Java Edition:

Name Default value Allowed values Description
modedata cornerBlockSprite structure-block-corner.png: Sprite image for structure-block-corner in Minecraft Corner Structure Block
dataBlockSprite structure-block-data.png: Sprite image for structure-block-data in Minecraft Data Structure Block
loadBlockSprite structure-block-load.png: Sprite image for structure-block-load in Minecraft Load Structure Block
saveBlockSprite structure-block-save.png: Sprite image for structure-block-save in Minecraft Save Structure Block

Bedrock Edition:

NameMetadata Bits Default value Allowed valuesValues for
Metadata Bits
Description
structure_block_type0x1
0x2
0x4
data corner3BlockSprite structure-block-load.png: Sprite image for structure-block-load in Minecraft Corner Structure Block
data0BlockSprite structure-block.png: Sprite image for structure-block in Minecraft Data Structure Block
export5BlockSprite structure-block-export.png: Sprite image for structure-block-export in Minecraft Export Structure Block
invalid4BlockSprite structure-block-corner.png: Sprite image for structure-block-corner in Minecraft Inventory Structure Block
load2BlockSprite structure-block-save.png: Sprite image for structure-block-save in Minecraft Load Structure Block
save1BlockSprite structure-block-data.png: Sprite image for structure-block-data in Minecraft Save Structure Block


Block data

A structure block also has a block entity associated with it.

Java Edition:

  • [NBT Compound / JSON Object] Block entity data
    • Tags common to all block entities see Template:Nbt inherit/blockentity/template
    • [String] author: Author of the structure; only set to "?" for most vanilla structures.
    • [Byte] ignoreEntities: 1 or 0 (true/false): Whether entities should be ignored in the structure.
    • [Float] integrity: How complete the structure is that gets placed.
    • [String] metadata: Value of the data structure block field.
    • [String] mirror: How the structure is mirrored, one of "NONE", "LEFT_RIGHT" (mirrored over X axis when not rotated), or "FRONT_BACK" (mirrored over Z axis when not rotated).
    • [String] mode: The current mode of this structure block, one of "SAVE", "LOAD", "CORNER", or "DATA".
    • [String] name: Name of the structure.
    • [Int] posX: X-position of the structure.
    • [Int] posY: Y-position of the structure.
    • [Int] posZ: Z-position of the structure.
    • [Byte] powered: 1 or 0 (true/false): Whether this structure block is being powered by redstone.
    • [String] rotation: Rotation of the structure, one of "NONE", "CLOCKWISE_90", "CLOCKWISE_180", or "COUNTERCLOCKWISE_90".
    • [Long] seed: The seed to use for the structure integrity, 0 means random.
    • [Byte] showboundingbox: 1 or 0 (true/false): Whether to show the structure's bounding box to players in Creative mode.
    • [Int] sizeX: X-size of the structure, its length.
    • [Int] sizeY: Y-size of the structure, its height.
    • [Int] sizeZ: Z-size of the structure, its depth.

Bedrock Edition:

See Bedrock Edition level format/Block entity format.

Video

History

Java Edition
1.9March 18, 2015 Searge tweets an image of a then-mysterious dark block.
April 08, 2015Searge tweets a cryptic message containing another screenshot of the mysterious dark block.
He later asks if players would like an unobtainable block whose effects to the world are "visible and exciting."[6]
April 14, 2015Searge tweets another cryptic image, with the dark block visible in the hotbar and in the upper-right corner.
Bright dots cover a mysterious floating structure in the upper-left corner, which Searge "clarified" in a later tweet.[7]
June 24, 2015Searge explains that the mysterious block is a technical block used internally for world generation.
July 5, 2015 The usage of structure blocks was detailed in a live stream during MINECON 2015.
15w31a Added structure blocks.
Structure blocks are currently available only with the /setblock command.
Structure blocks currently do not have an interface and are used internally by the developers.
1.10May 3, 2016 Jens Bergensten tweets a screenshot of the new structure block textures.
Jeb was instructed to make structure blocks "feel mysterious."[8]
May 13, 2016ProfMobius tweets an image of the new structure blocks in action, generating what appears to be a fossil made of quartz blocks.
16w20a The textures of structure blocks have been changed.
Structure blocks are now obtainable using /give command and usable in-game.
16w21aStructure blocks no longer emit light (was previously light-level 15).
"Structure Integrity and Seed" to load mode have been added to structure blocks.
1.1317w47aThe saved structures of structure blocks are now stored in <World Name>/generated/<namespace>/structures/<name>.nbt.
Due to The Flattening, structures saved before this version are now broken and don't load in any blocks who's previous ID is not a valid ID in current versions, such as planks.
18w21aThe rarity of structure blocks has been changed from "Common" to "Epic".
1.1620w16aThe maximum size per axis of structure blocks has been increased from 32 to 48.
1.1720w46aDefault mode of structure blocks is now "Load". "Data" is now hidden by default.
"Data" can be accessed by clicking the mode button while holding the Alt key.
1.19.322w45aStructure blocks are now available in the Creative inventory, but only if cheats are enabled and the "Operator Items Tab" option in the controls menu is turned on.[9]
1.21.525w02aAdded the "Strict Placement" option.
Pocket Edition
1.0.0alpha 0.17.0.1"Added" structure blocks. While fully implemented, they have no assigned block ID and are completely unobtainable.
Bedrock Edition
1.2.0beta 1.2.0.2 Structure blocks now have a block ID and can be obtained with /give and /setblock.
Structure blocks now have a new mode called "3D Export" with a new texture. However, it's possible to use them only in Windows 10 and "3D Export" is the only mode.
1.5.0beta 1.5.0.0Structure blocks can now be obtained in iOS and Android, but cannot be used yet.
1.9.0beta 1.9.0.0The option to export using Remix3D has been removed from structure blocks. Instead, structures now export locally.
1.13.0
Experiment
Experimental Gameplay
beta 1.13.0.1Structure blocks are now usable, with save and load mode available only through Experimental Gameplay.
1.16.0beta 1.15.0.51A detect button for save mode has been added to structure blocks.
1.16.0beta 1.16.0.57Structure block functionality with save and load mode are now available outside of Experimental Gameplay.
1.17.0beta 1.16.230.54The structure placement block now has placement animation options similar to /structure command.
1.17.30beta 1.17.20.21Added corner mode to structure blocks.
Legacy Console Edition
Xbox 360Xbox OnePS3PS4PS VitaWii USwitch
TU43CU331.361.361.36Patch 13 Added the structure block's textures to terrain.png.

Data history

Java Edition
1.1116w32aThe block entity ID has been changed from Structure to structure_block.
1.1317w47aPrior to The Flattening, this block's numeral ID was 255.

Issues

Issues relating to "Structure Block" are maintained on the bug tracker. Issues should be reported and viewed there.

Gallery

Textures

Screenshots

Mojang screenshots

See also

Notes

  1. Structures created in versions before 1.13 are saved in .minecraft/saves/(WorldName)/structures.
  2. Only available on Windows 10

References

  1. MC-221834 — resolved as "Invalid".
  2. MC-105595 — resolved as "Works As Intended".
  3. "How to Use Structure Blocks in Minecraft: Education Edition" – Minecraft: Education Edition on YouTube, August 2, 2018
  4. https://apps.microsoft.com/store/detail/3d-viewer/9NBLGGH42THS
  5. https://apps.microsoft.com/store/detail/paint-3d/9NBLGGH5FV99
  6. "How about a block that players can't get, can't be found in the world, but it's effect to the world is visible and exciting?"@SeargeDP (Michael Stoyke) on X (formerly Twitter), April 8, 2015
  7. "I once met a small bright dot that enjoyed nothing more in his life than protecting big dark secrets by being painted over them in images."@SeargeDP (Michael Stoyke) on X (formerly Twitter), April 14, 2015
  8. "The instructions I got was to make them "feel mysterious" ;)"@jeb_ (Jens Bergensten) on X (formerly Twitter), May 3, 2016
  9. MC-257102 — Missing Structure Block in creative tab — resolved as "Fixed".

External links

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