Zombie Head

Zombie Head
Zombie Head.png: Infobox image for Zombie Head the block in Minecraft
Invicon Zombie Head.png: Inventory sprite for Zombie Head in Minecraft as shown in-game with description:
Rarity tier

Uncommon

Renewable

Yes

Stackable

Yes (64)

Tool

Any tool

Blast resistance

1

Hardness

1

Luminous

No

Transparent

Yes

Waterloggable

JE: No
BE: Yes

Flammable

No

Catches fire
from lava

No

A zombie head is a block modeled after the head of a zombie.

Obtaining

Breaking

A zombie head can be mined using any item,[1] and drops itself when broken.

Block
Hardness 1
Breaking time (secs)
Default 1.5
Legend
  • incorrect tool, drops nothing
  • correct tool, drops nothing or something other than the block itself
  • correct tool, drops the block itself
  • italicized can be instant mined

If a zombie head is pushed by a piston or comes in contact with water or lava, it breaks off as an item.

When destroyed by an explosion, the zombie head always drops as an item.

Mob loot

Zombie heads are always dropped by a zombie if it dies due to a charged creeper's explosion. In Bedrock Edition, if multiple mobs are killed by the same charged creeper, all of them drop their heads, however in Java Edition only one mob selected at random drops its head.[2]

Java Edition:

MobQuantity / Chance / Average
DefaultLooting ILooting IILooting III
Zombie[A]1100.00%1.001100.00%1.001100.00%1.001100.00%1.00

MobQuantity / Chance / Average
DefaultLooting ILooting IILooting III
Zombie[A]111111111111

MobAmountProbability
DefaultLooting ILooting IILooting III
Zombie[A]11 (100.00%)1 (100.00%)1 (100.00%)1 (100.00%)
Average1 (1.00)1 (1.00)1 (1.00)1 (1.00)

Drops1
MobExpected Number of Kill
DefaultLooting ILooting IILooting III
Zombie[A]1.001.001.001.00

  1. Only when killed by a charged creeper.

Bedrock Edition:

MobQuantity / Chance / Average
DefaultLooting ILooting IILooting III
Zombie[A]1100.00%1.001100.00%1.001100.00%1.001100.00%1.00

MobQuantity / Chance / Average
DefaultLooting ILooting IILooting III
Zombie[A]111111111111

MobAmountProbability
DefaultLooting ILooting IILooting III
Zombie[A]11 (100.00%)1 (100.00%)1 (100.00%)1 (100.00%)
Average1 (1.00)1 (1.00)1 (1.00)1 (1.00)

Drops1
MobExpected Number of Kill
DefaultLooting ILooting IILooting III
Zombie[A]1.001.001.001.00

  1. Only when killed by a charged creeper.

Usage

Decoration

Zombie heads can be oriented in 16 different directions on top of a block, and 4 directions on the sides of blocks, similar to signs. They can be placed on top of, or beside each other by shift clicking.

Wearing

See also:  § Renders

The player can wear zombie heads, similarly to pumpkins or helmets. This overlays the second layer of the player's skin.

Disguise

Wearing a zombie head reduces the detection range for zombies to 50% of the normal range. This is similar to (and stacks with) the reductions in detection range from sneaking and from the Invisibility status effect.

In Bedrock Edition, wearing a zombie head makes the player invisible to other players on a locator map.

Dispensers

A dispenser can equip a zombie head on a player, mob, or armor stand with an empty helmet slot, within the block the dispenser is facing.

Crafting ingredient

Ingredients Crafting recipe
Zombie head +
Gunpowder +
Any Dye
Invicon Gunpowder.png: Inventory sprite for Gunpowder in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Gunpowder with description: GunpowderInvicon Zombie Head.png: Inventory sprite for Zombie Head in Minecraft as shown in-game with description:Invicon White Dye.png: Inventory sprite for White Dye in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to White Dye with description: White DyeInvicon Light Gray Dye.png: Inventory sprite for Light Gray Dye in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Light Gray Dye with description: Light Gray DyeInvicon Gray Dye.png: Inventory sprite for Gray Dye in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Gray Dye with description: Gray DyeInvicon Black Dye.png: Inventory sprite for Black Dye in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Black Dye with description: Black DyeInvicon Brown Dye.png: Inventory sprite for Brown Dye in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Brown Dye with description: Brown DyeInvicon Red Dye.png: Inventory sprite for Red Dye in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Red Dye with description: Red DyeInvicon Orange Dye.png: Inventory sprite for Orange Dye in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Orange Dye with description: Orange DyeInvicon Yellow Dye.png: Inventory sprite for Yellow Dye in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Yellow Dye with description: Yellow DyeInvicon Lime Dye.png: Inventory sprite for Lime Dye in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Lime Dye with description: Lime DyeInvicon Green Dye.png: Inventory sprite for Green Dye in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Green Dye with description: Green DyeInvicon Cyan Dye.png: Inventory sprite for Cyan Dye in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Cyan Dye with description: Cyan DyeInvicon Light Blue Dye.png: Inventory sprite for Light Blue Dye in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Light Blue Dye with description: Light Blue DyeInvicon Blue Dye.png: Inventory sprite for Blue Dye in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Blue Dye with description: Blue DyeInvicon Purple Dye.png: Inventory sprite for Purple Dye in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Purple Dye with description: Purple DyeInvicon Magenta Dye.png: Inventory sprite for Magenta Dye in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Magenta Dye with description: Magenta DyeInvicon Pink Dye.png: Inventory sprite for Pink Dye in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Pink Dye with description: Pink Dye
Invicon White Firework Star.png: Inventory sprite for White Firework Star in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to White Firework Star with description: Firework Star WhiteInvicon Light Gray Firework Star.png: Inventory sprite for Light Gray Firework Star in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Light Gray Firework Star with description: Firework Star Light GrayInvicon Gray Firework Star.png: Inventory sprite for Gray Firework Star in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Gray Firework Star with description: Firework Star GrayInvicon Black Firework Star.png: Inventory sprite for Black Firework Star in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Black Firework Star with description: Firework Star BlackInvicon Brown Firework Star.png: Inventory sprite for Brown Firework Star in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Brown Firework Star with description: Firework Star BrownInvicon Red Firework Star.png: Inventory sprite for Red Firework Star in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Red Firework Star with description: Firework Star RedInvicon Orange Firework Star.png: Inventory sprite for Orange Firework Star in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Orange Firework Star with description: Firework Star OrangeInvicon Yellow Firework Star.png: Inventory sprite for Yellow Firework Star in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Yellow Firework Star with description: Firework Star YellowInvicon Lime Firework Star.png: Inventory sprite for Lime Firework Star in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Lime Firework Star with description: Firework Star LimeInvicon Green Firework Star.png: Inventory sprite for Green Firework Star in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Green Firework Star with description: Firework Star GreenInvicon Cyan Firework Star.png: Inventory sprite for Cyan Firework Star in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Cyan Firework Star with description: Firework Star CyanInvicon Light Blue Firework Star.png: Inventory sprite for Light Blue Firework Star in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Light Blue Firework Star with description: Firework Star Light BlueInvicon Blue Firework Star.png: Inventory sprite for Blue Firework Star in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Blue Firework Star with description: Firework Star BlueInvicon Purple Firework Star.png: Inventory sprite for Purple Firework Star in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Purple Firework Star with description: Firework Star PurpleInvicon Magenta Firework Star.png: Inventory sprite for Magenta Firework Star in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Magenta Firework Star with description: Firework Star MagentaInvicon Pink Firework Star.png: Inventory sprite for Pink Firework Star in Minecraft as shown in-game linking to Pink Firework Star with description: Firework Star Pink

Enchantments

Zombie heads can receive the following enchantments, but only through an anvil.

Name Max level Method
Curse of Binding I Anvil
Curse of Vanishing I Anvil

Note blocks

Placing a zombie head above a note block causes the note block to play the zombie's ambient sound when activated.

The block below the note block does not affect the mob sound it creates.

Sounds

Generic

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 stone.png: Sprite image for stone in Minecraft stone 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.stone0.370.5
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

Unique

Java Edition:

Sounds
SoundSubtitlesSourceDescriptionResource locationTranslation keyVolumePitchAttenuation
distance
​Zombie groansJukebox/Note BlocksWhen a zombie head is played using a note blockblock.note_block.imitate.zombiesubtitles.entity.zombie.ambient3.01.016
​Gear equipsPlayersWhen a zombie head is equippeditem.armor.equip_genericsubtitles.item.armor.equip1.01.016

Bedrock Edition:

Sounds
SoundSourceDescriptionResource locationVolumePitch
Jukebox/Note BlocksWhen a zombie head is played using a note blocknote.zombie?0.84 [sound 1]
PlayersWhen a zombie head is equippedarmor.equip_generic1.01.0
  1. Actually equal to 124, which is about 0.8409

Data values

ID

Java Edition:

NameIdentifierFormItem tagsTranslation key
BlockSprite zombie-head.png: Sprite image for zombie-head in Minecraft Zombie Headzombie_headBlock & Itemskullsblock.minecraft.zombie_head
BlockSprite zombie-wall-head.png: Sprite image for zombie-wall-head in Minecraft Zombie Wall Headzombie_wall_headBlockblock.minecraft.zombie_wall_head
NameIdentifier
BlockSprite zombie-head.png: Sprite image for zombie-head in Minecraft Block entityskull

Bedrock Edition:

NameIdentifierAlias ID Numeric ID FormItem ID[i 1]Translation key
BlockSprite zombie-head.png: Sprite image for zombie-head in Minecraft Zombie Headzombie_headskull / 2-966Block & Giveable Item[i 2]Identical[i 3]item.skull.zombie.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 zombie-head.png: Sprite image for zombie-head in Minecraft Block entitySkull

Block states

See also: Block states

Java Edition:
Floor

Name Default value Allowed values Description
poweredfalse trueThe block receives a redstone signal.
falseThe block receives no redstone signal.
rotation0 0The block is facing south.
1The block is facing south-southwest.
2The block is facing southwest.
3The block is facing west-southwest.
4The block is facing west.
5The block is facing west-northwest.
6The block is facing northwest.
7The block is facing north-northwest.
8The block is facing north.
9The block is facing north-northeast.
10The block is facing northeast.
11The block is facing east-northeast.
12The block is facing east.
13The block is facing east-southeast.
14The block is facing southeast.
15The block is facing south-southeast.

Wall

Name Default value Allowed values Description
poweredfalse trueThe block receives a redstone signal.
falseThe block receives no redstone signal.
facingnortheast
north
south
west
The direction the head is facing.
Opposite from the direction a player is facing when placing it.

Bedrock Edition:

NameMetadata Bits Default value Allowed valuesValues for
Metadata Bits
Description
facing_direction0x1
0x2
0x4
0 11On the floor (rotation is stored in the tile entity)
22On a wall, facing north
33On a wall, facing south
44On a wall, facing east
55On a wall, facing west
00Unused


Block data

A zombie head has a block entity associated with it that holds additional data about the block.

Java Edition:

  • [NBT Compound / JSON Object] Block entity data
    • Tags common to all block entities see Template:Nbt inherit/blockentity/template
    • [String] custom_name: Optional. The custom name of the skull.
    • [String] note_block_sound: Optional. The sound event this skull plays when played with a note block. Is not preserved when removed.
    • [String][NBT Compound / JSON Object] profile: Information about the owner of this player head. If defined as a string, corresponds to [String] name.
      • [String] name: The name of a player profile, i.e. its username. If this is the only tag provided, it resolves into the other ones below. Optional.
      • [Int Array] id: The UUID of the owner. Used to update the other tags when the chunk loads or the holder logs in, in case the owner's name has changed. Optional.
      • [NBT List / JSON Array] properties: A list of properties. Optional.
        • [NBT Compound / JSON Object]: A single property.
          • [String] name: The name of the property. Can be textures.
          • [String] value: The texture data json, encoded in base64.
          • [String] signature: Optional. Mojang's signature of the value, encoded in base64.

Bedrock Edition:

See Bedrock Edition level format/Block entity format.

Achievements

IconAchievementIn-game descriptionActual requirements (if different)Gamerscore earnedTrophy type (PS)
PS4Other
CamouflageKill a mob while wearing the same type of mob head.30Bronze

History

There is an associated page listing all historical changes related to the appearance and/or sounds associated with this block in further detail than below; see /Asset history.
Java Edition
1.4.212w36a Added zombie heads, obtainable only from the Creative inventory.
12w37a Changed item textures.
1.4.612w49aA zombie head can now be used to craft a firework star with creeper-face effect.
1.814w29aZombie heads now display a cracking animation.
14w30a Zombie heads in inventories and held by mobs/players now display as blocks.
Zombie heads are now displayed on the armor layer. Previously, the zombie head replaced the mob/player's head texture; the hat layer appeared over the zombie head.
Zombie heads are now available in Survival. The player can obtain them by killing a zombie with a charged creeper.
14w30bA single charged creeper explosion no longer yields more than one mob head. The mob head that drops is chosen randomly.
1.915w31aZombie heads now appear larger in the inventory.
15w32aZombie heads can now be worn to reduce detection by zombies by 50%.
15w33cThe disguise that is given by zombie heads now reduces detection range to 37.5% of normal.
15w36aThe disguise that is given by zombie heads now reduces detection range to 50% of normal again.
15w39aDispensers can now equip zombie heads onto players, mobs and armor stands.
15w49aZombie heads no longer turn red when the player or mob takes damage.[3]
1.1317w47aZombie heads now play a sound when placed.
Zombie heads can no longer be placed inside entities.[4]
18w21aThe rarity of zombie heads has been changed from "Common" to "Uncommon".
1.19.4
Experiment
Update 1.20
23w03aZombie heads can now be placed on top of note blocks without sneaking.
1.19.423w05aZombie heads can now be swapped with other pieces of headgear in the head inventory slot by using them.[5]
Pocket Edition Alpha
v0.12.1build 1 Added zombie heads.
The zombie heads use the Java textures prior to 14w30a.
v0.14.0build 1Zombie heads can now be worn as armor.
Bedrock Edition
1.2.0beta 1.2.0.2Zombie heads can now be used to craft firework stars.
beta 1.2.0.11 Zombie heads in inventories and when held by mobs/players now display as blocks.
1.19.60
Experiment
Next Major Update
Preview 1.19.60.20Heads can now be placed on top of note blocks without sneaking.
1.21.30Preview 1.21.30.21The rarity of zombie skulls has been changed from "Common" to "Uncommon" to match Java Edition.
Legacy Console Edition
Xbox 360Xbox OnePS3PS4PS VitaWii USwitch
TU12CU11.001.001.00Patch 11.0.1 Added zombie heads to the Creative inventory.
TU19CU71.121.121.12A zombie head can now be used to craft a firework star with creeper-face effect.
TU31CU191.221.221.22Patch 3 Zombie heads in inventories and held by mobs/players now display as blocks.
Zombie heads are now available in Survival. The player can obtain them by killing a zombie with a charged creeper.
TU34CU221.251.251.25Patch 4Zombie heads can now be swapped with other pieces of headgear in the head inventory slot by using them.
TU49CU391.421.421.42Patch 18Zombie heads are now held the same way as on Java Edition in first person.
New Nintendo 3DS Edition
0.1.0 Added zombie heads.

Data history

Bedrock Edition
1.21.40Preview 1.21.40.20The separate and direct item forms of the skull block ID have been merged and its data values have been split up into their own IDs.

Issues

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

Gallery

Renders

In other media

References

  1. MC-192905 — Heads & Skulls have no assigned tool
  2. MC-63534 — resolved as "Works As Intended".
  3. MC-85756
  4. MC-2208
  5. MC-216270 — resolved as "Fixed".

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