View source for Minecraft:Skin

{{About|player skins in {{MC}}|world textures|resource pack|heroes in {{MCD}}|MCD:Hero|heroes in {{MCL}}|MCL:Hero}}
[[File:Friends.png|thumb|The nine default skins of ''Minecraft'' from left to right: [[Sunny]], [[Minecraft:Kai]], [[Minecraft:Makena]], [[Minecraft:Steve]], [[Minecraft:Alex]], [[Minecraft:Zuri]], [[Minecraft:Efe]], [[Minecraft:Ari]], and [[Minecraft:Noor]].]]

'''Skins''' refer to the textures that are placed onto the [[Minecraft:player]] character model. Skins can be created using a skin editor or the [[Minecraft:Character Creator]], or they can be purchased in [[Minecraft:skin pack]]s from the [[Minecraft:Marketplace]]. Players can change their skin in the ''[[Minecraft:Minecraft Launcher]]'' or [[Minecraft:Dressing Room]].

== Default skins ==
The default skins are always available in the ''Minecraft Launcher'' or Dressing Room, including nine ''Minecraft'' [[Minecraft:characters]]. Skins can have different arm or height sizes; Ari, Kai, Steve, Sunny, and Zuri have wide arms by default, Alex, Efe, Makena, and Noor have slim arms by default.
{| class="wikitable"
|+Skins with wide arms
![[Minecraft:Alex]]
![[Minecraft:Ari]]
![[Minecraft:Efe]]
![[Minecraft:Kai]]
![[Minecraft:Makena]]
![[Minecraft:Noor]]
![[Minecraft:Steve]]
![[Minecraft:Sunny]]
![[Minecraft:Zuri]]
|-
|[[File:Alex (classic) JE2.png|200x200px]]
|[[File:Ari (classic) JE1.png|200x200px]]
|[[File:Efe (classic) JE1.png|200x200px]]
|[[File:Kai (classic) JE1.png|200x200px]]
|[[File:Makena (classic) JE1.png|200x200px]]
|[[File:Noor (classic) JE1.png|200x200px]]
|[[File:Steve (classic) JE6.png|200x200px]]
|[[File:Sunny (classic) JE1.png|200x200px]]
|[[File:Zuri (classic) JE1.png|200x200px]]
|-
|[[File:Alex (classic texture) JE2.png|64x64px]]
|[[File:Ari (classic texture) JE1.png]]
|[[File:Efe (classic texture) JE1.png]]
|[[File:Kai (classic texture) JE1.png]]
|[[File:Makena (classic texture) JE1.png]]
|[[File:Noor (classic texture) JE1.png]]
|[[File:Steve (classic texture) JE6.png]]
|[[File:Sunny (classic texture) JE1.png]]
|[[File:Zuri (classic texture) JE1.png]]
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|+Skins with slim arms
![[Minecraft:Alex]]
![[Minecraft:Ari]]
![[Minecraft:Efe]]
![[Minecraft:Kai]]
![[Minecraft:Makena]]
![[Minecraft:Noor]]
![[Minecraft:Steve]]
![[Minecraft:Sunny]]
![[Minecraft:Zuri]]
|-
|[[File:Alex (slim) JE3.png|200x200px]]
|[[File:Ari (slim) JE1.png|200x200px]]
|[[File:Efe (slim) JE1.png|200x200px]]
|[[File:Kai (slim) JE1.png|200x200px]]
|[[File:Makena (slim) JE1.png|200x200px]]
|[[File:Noor (slim) JE1.png|200x200px]]
|[[File:Steve (slim) JE2.png|200x200px]]
|[[File:Sunny (slim) JE1.png|200x200px]]
|[[File:Zuri (slim) JE1.png|200x200px]]
|-
|[[File:Alex (slim texture) JE3.png|64x64px]]
|[[File:Ari (slim texture) JE1.png]]
|[[File:Efe (slim texture) JE1.png]]
|[[File:Kai (slim texture) JE1.png]]
|[[File:Makena (slim texture) JE1.png]]
|[[File:Noor (slim texture) JE1.png]]
|[[File:Steve (slim texture) JE2.png|64x64px]]
|[[File:Sunny (slim texture) JE1.png]]
|[[File:Zuri (slim texture) JE1.png]]
|}

== Features ==
Skins are divided into areas that act as the surface area of the character (e.g., the front head area, left leg area, etc.) They are stored as 64×64 pixels templates, consisting of an inner and outer layer; each layer consisting 1,632 usable pixels, making 3,264 total. In ''Bedrock Edition'', players can also use 128×128 pixels templates, consisting of two layers of 6,528 usable pixels, making 13,056 total. 

The outer layer of the skin is 0.5 pixels bigger than the inner layer on the body, arms, and legs; and is 1 pixel bigger than the inner layer on the head. This layer is usually used to give the character glasses, hats, or other accessories (even a bigger head).

Skins set to "slim" model lose 25% of their arms' width, and the rightmost pixels in the skins' images are ignored. Slim skins from 64×64 templates have two layers of 1,568 usable pixels, making 3,136 total, and slim skins from 128×128 templates have two layers of 6,272 usable pixels, making 12,544 total. In ''Bedrock Edition'', the arms of slim skins' model are lower than the torso by about 0.5 pixel.

=== Transparency ===
On both editions, a pixel on the skin's outer layer can be completely transparent. Semitransparent pixels, which are pixels with opacity between 0 and 255, and inner layer's transparency are dictated by each of the editions' color calculation:
* In ''Java Edition'', the skin's inner layer cannot be transparent. Any pixels that are semitransparent are forced to be fully opaque while reducing their color detail, matching its original opacity level; instead of having 256 possible shades of RGB colors, the pixel is rounded to a smaller set of values by parts per the opacity value. For example, with an opacity of 2, the RGB color values are rounded to parts per two, as one of 0/2, 1/2, or 2/2 of 255, that is 0, 128, and 255; if we apply this to an RGB colors of (255, 13, 142), it becomes (255, 0, 128), with an opacity of 255. An exception to this mechanic is a pixel with an opacity of 0, simply becoming a solid black.
* In ''Bedrock Edition'', if players set any of their skin's outer or inner layer pixels opacity to 25 (≈10%) or lower, those pixels appear invisible, otherwise, for opacity to 26 or greater, they appear visible.

=== Character Creator ===
{{main|Character Creator}}
{{exclusive|bedrock|section=1}}
[[File:Character creator.png|thumb|The Character Creator menu]]
In ''Bedrock Edition'', there are two types of skin which the players can choose from: the Character Creator skins and the "Classic Skins".

Character Creator skins are made in the Dressing Room with a range of cosmetic items that can be applied to specific parts of the character's model, such as facial features or individual body parts, or clothing items. There are two types of cosmetic item depending on the parts they are applied: body items, which apply to their body parts/features; and style items, which are worn like accessories or apparels. They can appear three-dimensional, that is, they are built on top of the character's body in 3D space, or completely replace specific body parts (like the arms or legs) with custom models. The eyes part of Character Creator skins also blink occasionally.

Cosmetic items are usually made by [[Minecraft:Marketplace]] creators, and are obtained from the featured items or the [[Minecraft:Marketplace Pass]] selection on the Character Creator menu, which can be free or paid costing [[Minecraft:Minecoins]] (or Tokens on PlayStation versions). Body items are mostly reserved by ''Minecraft'' and can be equipped for free, except the arms and legs, which are obtainable like previously mentioned. Some cosmetic items can be earned by completing certain [[Minecraft:achievements]], and historically, limited-time challenges and [[Minecraft:Event servers|in-game live events]], which make these items only obtainable during specific time periods.

[[File:Heights.png|thumb|The available options for skin heights]]
Players can adjust the character's height and arms size of Character Creator skins, where the character's model gets resized along with the texture pixels. It has no effect on the [[Minecraft:hitbox]] size, although the camera eye height does change.{{Info needed|What are the heights in meters?}}

The "Classic Skins" are standard wide or slim character models with a skin texture applied from a [[Minecraft:skin pack]] (from Marketplace or a custom skin pack), or a custom PNG image imported from the player's device. They do not have an ability to use 3D models, as this feature is restricted to the Character Creator skins, and for imported skins, they have limited visibility for players with "Only Allow Trusted Skins" option turned off in the [[Minecraft:Settings]].

In other tabs, all skin types can be modified in the Dressing Room using [[Minecraft:capes]], and [[Minecraft:emotes]] can be selected and obtained similarly to body or style items.

=== Skin signature ===
{{exclusive|java|section=1}}
In order for a skin to be displayed in the game, the player's GameProfile data containing the skin's texture URL and signature is sent by the server through [[Minecraft:Java Edition protocol/Packets#Player Info Update|Player Info Update packet]]. The signature is then validated by vanilla clients to be displayed properly in their game; this ensures that no custom skin outside the ones uploaded through the ''Minecraft'' services can be used or tampered. As a side effect, it also makes offline mode players unable to use a skin, at least without using [[Minecraft:mods]].

When a player wears a new skin, the signature for that skin is generated alongside the texture URL. This data is stored permanently in ''Minecraft'' services, even when the skin is no longer used by the original player, and can be traced back by third-party services, such as [https://namemc.com/ NameMC] or [https://mineskin.org/ MineSkin]. Notably, MineSkin has utilize this quirk to generate multiple valid signatures for user-uploaded custom skins with a limited set of accounts.<ref>https://docs.mineskin.org/docs/wiki/faq/</ref> Furthermore, these custom skins can be applied to [[Minecraft:mannequin]]s or [[Minecraft:player head]]s through the {{nbt|compound|profile}} tag or {{cd|minecraft:profile}} [[Minecraft:data component]] respectively.

== Changing player skins ==
=== ''Java Edition'' ===
Only players who have purchased ''Minecraft'' can change their character's skin. This is done on the [https://minecraft.net/profile profile page] or in the ''Minecraft Launcher'' by uploading a valid PNG image that is 64×64 pixels, or a legacy texture that is 64×32 pixels, which then replaces the default skin.

<gallery mode="packed" caption="Minecraft.net website">
File:Profile Page.png|The ''Minecraft'' website's [https://minecraft.net/profile profile] page.
File:Changing Skin Page.png|The Change Skin page on the ''Minecraft'' website
</gallery>
<gallery mode="packed" caption="Minecraft Launcher">
File:Minecraft Launcher Skin Tab.png|The ''Launcher''<nowiki/>'s Skin tab
File:Add new skin page.png|Adding a new skin in the ''Launcher''
</gallery>

Skins also have the option of having either 3 or 4 pixel wide arms, which can be changed on the profile page as well.<ref>{{tweet|MojangSupport|511889676227989504|Slim-armed skins are now available to all! Visit http://minecraft.net/profile to make changes, or https://help.mojang.com/customer/portal/articles/979200-minecraft-skins for help! ^MW|September 16, 2014}}</ref>

The {{cd|steve.png}} and {{cd|alex.png}} files in [[Minecraft:client.jar]] can also be changed and replaced via a resource pack, but the effects are visible only to players using the resource pack, and affects all players with the default skin.

=== ''Bedrock Edition'' ===
[[File:Dressing Room (Bedrock).png|thumb|The Dressing Room]]
Players can choose one of the nine default skins upon first launch or in the [[Minecraft:Dressing Room]] when creating from an empty slot. The Dressing Room, accessible from the [[Minecraft:main menu]], [[Minecraft:profile]], and [[Minecraft:Game Menu|game menu]], can also be used to switch skins, change, or remove skins from five available slots.

In the "Classic Skins" tab, players can switch to a downloaded or owned skin. Skins can be obtained as part of [[Minecraft:skin packs]] in the [[Minecraft:Marketplace]], purchased using [[Minecraft:Minecoins]]. The player has to sign in to their Microsoft (or their respective console account on PlayStation/Nintendo) to access all the skins they owned and bought from the Marketplace, on any device.

On Windows and mobile devices, custom skin files can be imported in the "Classic Skins" tab, or manually in {{Cd|[[Minecraft:com.mojang]]/custom_skins}}. The player must select a valid skin image file from their file explorer/photo gallery (a {{cd|.png}} texture from 64x32, 64x64, or 128x128 pixels), and must choose between the two model sizes (classic/slim). Players can also make their own skin packs, which must include a {{cd|manifest.json}} file, a {{cd|skins.json}} file, and all the desired skins. An additional {{cd|.lang}} file can be added inside a folder labeled {{cd|texts}} to display the skin names, but the game can register the skins without it.

== Skin packs ==
{{main|Skin pack}}

Skin packs are collections of multiple wearable skins and available {{in|bedrock}} as downloadable content. They can be acquired through:
*The [[Minecraft:Marketplace]], which officially hosts a large number of skin packs by Mojang Studios and their partners. Most of them cost Minecoins (Tokens on PS4), but some have been released for free.
*The {{cd|.mcskin}} files put in the {{cd|skin_packs}} or {{cd|development_skin_packs}} folder in the game files (inaccessible on consoles).
*External sources such as community hosted repositories for skin packs, which are automatically imported with <code>.mcpack</code> files (not on consoles). For information about the contents of a custom skin pack, see {{Slink|Skin pack|Package format}}.

=== ''Java Edition'' skin packs ===
The following skin packs were released on minecraft.net by Mojang Studios for certain events. These are technically not "skin packs" but simply collections of skin files marketed together. Although designed for {{JE}}, they can also be imported {{in|bedrock}}, except console ports.
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Image
!Name
!Description
!Release date
|-
|[[File:Minecon_Earth_2017_skins_.jpg|width=150x150]]
![[Minecraft:MINECON Earth 2017 Skin Pack]]
|Realeased in promotion of [[Minecraft:MINECON Earth 2017]]. 

It was also released as a skin pack for {{els|be|console}}.
|November 13, 2017
|-
|[[File:Builders_&_Biomes_Artwork.jpg|width=150x150]]
![[Minecraft:Builders & Biomes (skin pack)|Builders & Biomes]]
|A tie in to the ''[[Minecraft: Builders & Biomes]]'' board game. 

It was also released as a skin pack for {{BE}}.
|October 13, 2020
|-
|[[File:Striding Hero SP.jpg|150px]]
![[Minecraft:Striding Hero]]
|A tie-in to the [[Minecraft:Striding Hero]] DLC, featuring characters from the map.
|December 14, 2020
|-
|
![[Minecraft:The Garden Awakens (skin pack)|The Garden Awakens]]
|A tie-in to [[Minecraft:The Garden Awakens]].
|December 5, 2024
|-
|
![[Minecraft:Chase the Skies (skin pack)|Chase the Skies]]
|A skin pack tie-in to [[Minecraft:Chase the Skies]].
|June 26, 2025
|-
|
![[Minecraft:The Copper Age (skin pack)|The Copper Age]]
|A tie-in to [[Minecraft:The Copper Age]].
|October 8, 2025
|-
|
![[Minecraft:Mounts of Mayhem (skin pack)|Mounts of Mayhem]]
|A tie-in to [[Minecraft:Mounts of Mayhem]].
|December 15, 2025
|-
|
![[Minecraft:Tiny Takeover (skin pack)|Tiny Takeover]]
|A tie-in to [[Minecraft:Tiny Takeover]].
|April 6, 2026
|-
|
![[Minecraft:Dandelion Onesie]]
|A tie-in to [[Minecraft:Tiny Takeover]].
|April 6, 2026
|}

== Templates ==
<!-- Linked from https://help.mojang.com/customer/portal/articles/979200. Please verify, link is dead. -->
Many players prefer their own unique skin. While premade skins can be found online, players may prefer to create their own.

A custom skin is a way to personalize the player model and can be done either by using a variety of community-made [[Minecraft:Programs and editors/Skinning and texturing|skin editors]], or by editing the {{cd|steve.png}} or {{cd|alex.png}} file manually with an image editor like Photoshop, GIMP, Paint.net or similar image editors. The {{cd|steve.png}} file can be downloaded [http://assets.mojang.com/SkinTemplates/steve.png here] and the {{cd|alex.png}} file [http://assets.mojang.com/SkinTemplates/alex.png here]. When editing the {{cd|steve.png}} or {{cd|alex.png}} file manually, be sure to keep the original image dimensions and make the background of the skin (the unused pixels) completely transparent. Otherwise, ''Minecraft'' may fail to recognize the skin as intended.

Alternatively, some may find it easier to use a program, either downloadable or in-browser, which provides a live view of their character on a three-dimensional model as they are editing the skin. For example, programs may further assist players by providing them with a wide variety of pre-made selections (such as hats, boots, sweaters, etc.) to give the skin creator exactly what they want, even if the creator has little to no artistic skill.

After making a custom skin, either by using a skin editor or by editing the {{cd|steve.png}} file directly, one still needs to upload the {{cd|.png}} file at the Skin section of the Profile page on [[Minecraft:Minecraft.net]] (found [https://minecraft.net/profile/skin here]) before the skin is applied. Other players in multiplayer can also see this skin. Note that players cannot see the custom skin if they are not logged in or when playing offline.

=== Official skin templates ===
[https://help.minecraft.net/hc/en-us/articles/4408894664461-Minecraft-Skins-for-Java-Edition Minecraft Help Center Article]
<gallery class="pixel-image">
File:Alex template.png|alt=Slim Layout Skin|[http://assets.mojang.com/SkinTemplates/alex.png Alex Template]
File:Steve template.png|alt=Classic Layout Skin|[http://assets.mojang.com/SkinTemplates/steve.png Steve Template]
File:Template classic.png|alt=Classic Layout|[http://assets.mojang.com/SkinTemplates/4px_reference.png 4px Arms Template]
File:Template slim.png|alt=Slim Layout|[http://assets.mojang.com/SkinTemplates/3px_reference.png 3px Arms Template]
File:Skin example.png|Skin sample from the [[Minecraft:Tutorial Skin Pack]].
</gallery>

=== Other templates ===
<gallery class="pixel-image">
File:1.8 Skin Template.png|The modern layered skin template; every body part can have a second layer, marked by the darker palette areas.
File:1 8 texturemap redux.png|An adaptation of the previous template, color-coded to match the appropriate faces of the skin: front, back, left, right, top and bottom. The checked areas represent the secondary layer.
File:1.8 slim arms.png|A template for the slim arms/"Alex" model.
File:Corrected slim arm skin guide.png|An adaptation of the slimmer arms template, color-coded to match the appropriate faces of the skin: front, back, left, right, top and bottom. The checked areas represent the secondary layer.
File:Skin Template Dinnerbone.png|Another skin template.
File:Skintemplate.png|Color-coded old skin template with all faces labeled.
File:Skinzones.png|Another skin guide, but on a black background. For the arm and leg sections only, "right" indicates those facing outward, and "left" indicates inward.
File:TemplateSkinWide.png|A skin guide for wide skins using simple colors and marking the arms and legs as R and L, checkerboard pattern represents second layer
File:TemplateSkinSlim.png|A skin guide for slim skins using simple colors and marking the arms and legs as R and L, checkerboard pattern represents second layer
File:TemplateSkinOld.png|A skin guide for pre-1.8 skins using simple colors, checkerboard pattern represents second layer
File:TemplateSkinDeadmau.png|A skin guide for deadmau5's skin using simple colors, checkerboard pattern represents second layer
File:Deadmau5 skin.png|[http://textures.minecraft.net/texture/48db3fbf18e5f0ef266b47f5e6b54126a55f331558ff34cb17468753d84d096 Deadmau5's skin] (not a guide).
File:Deadmau5 Ears Template.png|Template for deadmau5's ears. Use other templates listed here for the skin.
</gallery>

== Videos ==
{{yt|oXKVfLTrdBM}}
{{yt|qIrmhRHuW08}}

== History ==
=== ''Java Edition'' ===
{{HistoryTable
|{{HistoryLine|java pre-classic}}
|{{HistoryLine||rd-132328|[[File:Steve JE1.png|25px]] [[Minecraft:Mob (entity)|Mob]]s were added with their skin and model from ''[[Minecraft:Zombie Town]]''. These are later used for the player.}}
|{{HistoryLine|java classic}}
|{{HistoryLine||June 10, 2009|link=https://web.archive.org/web/20110302232809/http://notch.tumblr.com/post/121044061/in-the-spirit-of-the-new-economy|Notch announces intentions to add custom skins "starting very soon".}}
|{{HistoryLine||June 13, 2009|link=https://notch.tumblr.com/post/123007470/custom-skins-downloaded-dynamically-from-the|Custom player skins are tested.}}
|{{HistoryLine||0.0.18a|Custom skins released.}}
|{{HistoryLine||0.24 SURVIVAL TEST|[[File:Steve JE2.png|25px]] The player skin was changed.
|The arms and legs of the player are now mirrored on opposite sides; they were previously [[Minecraft::File:Classic 0.0.18a_02 Screenshot 1.png|not]].
|Hat layers are released to skins, increasing customizability.}}
|{{HistoryLine||0.28|[[File:Steve JE3 BE1.png|25px]] The player skin was changed, once again, removing the beard.}}
|{{HistoryLine|java beta}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.2_02|Skins are now downloaded through an Amazon S3 server. Previously, they were downloaded from the Minecraft website.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20151004135346/http://notch.tumblr.com/post/2857128986/minecraft-beta-1202 Minecraft Beta 1.2_02] – The Word of Notch, January 21, 2011</ref> Due to this, players trying to play older versions of the game may find their custom skin unable to be loaded in-game.}}
|{{HistoryLine|java}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.0.0|dev=Beta 1.9 Prerelease 4|All "bottom" textures (including hand and foot) have been flipped 180 degrees.  It's worth mentioning that the textures were specifically flipped and not rotated because an updated texture with the bottom surface rotated as opposed to flipped may display incorrectly depending on the intended alignment with relation to the rest of the skin.}}
|{{HistoryLine||April 1, 2014|link=https://www.mojang.com/2014/04/minecraft-is-experiencing-some-problems/|On April 1st, all skins applied to players were changed and locked to [[Minecraft:villager]] skins as an April Fools' prank. Capes were still shown, however, if the user had one.}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.8|dev=14w03a|Skins have received an overhaul; right and left legs/arms can now be edited independently and the hat layer now counts for the whole body, meaning overlays can now be added on skins. This means there are now 3.06013 × 10<sup>23,581</sup> unique ''Minecraft'' skins instead of 2.29507 × 10<sup>11,328</sup> previously.}}
|{{HistoryLine|||dev=14w04a|Now displays the right arm's second layer in first person view.}}
|{{HistoryLine|||dev=pre1|[[File:Alex_(slim)_JE1.png|25px]] Added a new player model with smaller arms, and a new player skin called Alex.}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.9|dev=15w47a|Overlay layers (hat, jacket, sleeves, and pants) correctly render semitransparent pixels, instead of just fully opaque and fully transparent pixels.}}
|{{HistoryLine||August 20, 2022|link={{tweet|JasperBoerstra|1561129697857110018}}|[[File:Steve (classic) JE5.png|25px]][[File:Steve (slim) JE1.png|25px]][[File:Alex (slim) JE2.png|25px]][[File:Alex (classic) JE1.png|25px]] New skin textures for Steve and Alex were added in the ''Minecraft Launcher'', including classic and slim versions.}}
|{{HistoryLine||October 15, 2022|link=https://youtube.com/watch?v=yZRXmHiEh7U|Seven new default skins (Sunny, Efe, Zuri, Noor, Ari, Makena, and Kai) are announced at Minecraft Live 2022.}}
|{{HistoryLine||October 20, 2022|link=none|Added the seven new default skins.|New skin textures for Steve and Alex were added in the ''Minecraft Launcher''.}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.19.3|dev=22w45a|Integrated player skin now stored separately by wide and slim model.
|[[File:Steve (classic) JE6.png|25px]][[File:Alex (classic) JE2.png|25px]][[File:Steve (slim) JE2.png|25px]][[File:Alex (slim) JE3.png|25px]] Updated integrated skins of Steve and Alex.
|[[File:Ari (classic) JE1.png|25px]][[File:Kai (slim) JE1.png|25px]][[File:Noor (classic) JE1.png|25px]][[File:Sunny (slim) JE1.png|25px]][[File:Zuri (classic) JE1.png|25px]][[File:Efe (slim) JE1.png|25px]][[File:Makena (classic) JE1.png|25px]] Integrated the seven new default skins.
|The seven new default skins can be assigned to offline players now.}}
}}

=== ''Bedrock Edition'' ===
{{HistoryTable
|{{HistoryLine|pocket alpha}}
|{{HistoryLine||v0.11.0|dev=build 1|Added skins. Players can choose 'Steve' and 'Alex' models or their own custom skin (uses the same format as in Java Edition).}}
|{{HistoryLine|||dev=build 10|[[File:Baron City.png|25px]] [[File:Castaway.png|25px]] Added the first two skin packs: [[Minecraft:City Folk Skin Pack|City Folk]] and [[Minecraft:Town Folk Skin Pack|Town Folk]]. Each skin pack has 5 free skins, and purchasing the skin pack unlocks the rest of the skins. Skin packs cost USD $0.99.}}
|{{HistoryLine||v0.12.3|[[File:Creeper costume.png|25px]] [[File:Rainbow Sheep costume.png|25px]] [[File:Iron Golem costume.png|25px]]Added the [[Minecraft:Halloween Costumes Skin Pack]].}}
|{{HistoryLine||v0.13.0|dev=build 5|[[File:Desert Tamer.png|25px]][[File:Forest Archer.png|25px]][[File:Tundra Engineer.png|25px]] Added [[Minecraft:Biome Settlers Skin Pack 1]].}}
|{{HistoryLine||v0.13.1|[[File:Santa Claus.png|25px]] [[File:Gingerbread Creeper.png|25px]] [[File:Tomte.png|25px]] Added the [[Minecraft:Holiday Skin Pack 2015]].}}
|{{HistoryLine||v0.13.2|[[File:Monkey King.png|25px]] [[File:Monk Pig.png|25px]][[File:Friar Sand.png|25px]] Added the [[Minecraft:Journey to the West Skin Pack]].}}
|{{HistoryLine||v0.14.0|dev=build 7|[[File:Coder.png|25px]] [[File:Artisan.png|25px]][[File:Vanguard.png|25px]] [[File:Rail Rider.png|25px]] [[File:Scholar.png|25px]] Added the [[Minecraft:Redstone Specialists Skin Pack]].}}
|{{HistoryLine||v0.14.1|[[File:Male Jesse.png|25px]][[File:Olivia (Skin).png|25px]][[File:Axel Render.png|25px]][[File:Petra (Skin).png|25px]][[File:Lukas (Skin).png|25px]] Added [[Minecraft:Story Mode Skin Pack]].}}
|{{HistoryLine||v0.14.3|[[File:Shroom Glutton.png|25px]] [[File:Mushroom Hunter.png|25px]] [[File:Mushroom Brawler.png|25px]] [[File:Nether Tamer.png|25px]] [[File:Nether Archer.png|25px]] [[File:Nether Banished.png|25px]] Added [[Minecraft:Biome Settlers Skin Pack 2]].}}
|{{HistoryLine||v0.15.4|[[File:Stronghold Monarch skin render.png|25px]] [[File:Stronghold Seer skin render.png|25px]] [[File:Lava Fiend skin render.png|25px]] [[File:Bisector skin render.png|25px]] [[File:Swindler skin render.png|25px]] Added [[Minecraft:Villains Skin Pack]].}}
|{{HistoryLine||v0.15.9|[[File:Ocean Engineer MINECON 2016.png|25px]] [[File:Forest Fighter.png|25px]] [[File:Ice Pioneer.png|25px]] [[File:Mesa Artisan.png|25px]] Added [[Minecraft:MINECON 2016 Skin Pack]], available for a limited time.}}
|{{HistoryLine||30 September 2016|link={{tweet|Minecraft|781977172659478528}}|The ''Minecraft'' twitter starts tweeting out teasers for skins planned to be added in the [[Minecraft:Campfire Tales Skin Pack]] in [[Minecraft:Pocket Edition v0.15.10 alpha|v0.15.10]]}}
|{{HistoryLine||v0.15.10|[[File:Rancid Anne render.png|25px]][[File:Ol' Diggy.png|25px]][[File:Bedlam.png|25px]][[File:Crisp.png|25px]][[File:Skin Enderall.png|25px]]Added Campfire Tales skin pack.}}
|{{HistoryLine||4 October 2016|link={{tweet|Minecraft|783426724516270080}}|The last 'teaser-tweet' for the Campfire Tales Skin pack is sent, after the skin pack was released.}}
|{{HistoryLine||7 October 2016|link=http://www.mojang.com/2016/09/minecon-2016-skins-incoming-get-em-while-theyre-hot/|The limited-time offer for the [[Minecraft:MineCon]] 2016 Skin pack is over, it has been removed from all app stores and its redemption code is now expired. Players who obtained it while it was available are still able to use it.}}
|{{HistoryLine|pocket}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.0.0|dev=alpha 0.17.0.1|Added Festive 2016 Mash-up pack.}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.0.4|[[File:Ocean Hunter.png|25px]][[File:Farland Brewer.png|25px]][[File:End Zealot.png|25px]]Added [[Minecraft:Strangers - Biome Settlers 3]].}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.0.5|[[File:Green Ranger skin render.png|25px]][[File:Armored Red Ranger skin render.png|25px]][[File:Armored Black Ranger skin render.png|25px]] Added [[Minecraft:Mighty Morphin Power Rangers]].}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.0.6|Added Chinese Mythology Mash-up pack.}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.0.7|Added ''Fallout'' Mash-up pack.}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.0.8|Added [[Minecraft:Magic: The Gathering Skin Pack]].}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.0.9|Added Greek Mythology Mash-up pack.}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.1.0|Added Minecraft Marketplace, which has the community skin packs.|Added Skyrim Mash-up pack.}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.1.3|Added Adventure Time Mash-up pack.}}
|{{HistoryLine|bedrock}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.13.0|dev=beta 1.13.0.15|The character creator has been added in-game.}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.19.50|dev=Preview 1.19.50.21|[[File:Ari (slim) JE1.png|25px]][[File:Kai (classic) JE1.png|25px]][[File:Noor (slim) JE1.png|25px]][[File:Sunny (classic) JE1.png|25px]][[File:Zuri (slim) JE1.png|25px]][[File:Efe (classic) JE1.png|25px]][[File:Makena (slim) JE1.png|25px]] Added seven new default skins: Sunny, Efe, Zuri, Noor, Ari, Makena, and Kai.
|The textures of default skins Steve and Alex were changed.}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.21.20|dev=?|Changed default body colors of all preset skins in the character creator to approximately match {{JE}}.<ref>{{bug|MCPE-163383}}</ref>{{info needed}}}}
}}

=== Legacy Console Edition ===
{{HistoryTable
|{{HistoryLine|console}}
|{{HistoryLine||xbox=TU3|xbone=CU1|ps3=1.00|psvita=1.00|ps4=1.00|wiiu=Patch 1|switch=1.0.1|Added Character Skin Selector to allow players to choose their skin from the default skins or from downloadable skin packs.|[[File:Banjo.png|25px]][[File:Master Chief.png|25px]][[File:Cole Train.png|25px]][[File:Hero.png|25px]][[File:Trails HD Trials Rider.png|25px]][[File:MsSplosionMan.png|25px]] The first skin pack is available as downloadable content.}}
|{{HistoryLine||xbox=TU7|Added skin-related animations for skin packs.}}
|{{HistoryLine||xbox=TU24|xbone=CU12|ps3=1.16|psvita=1.16|ps4=1.16|[[File:Tennis Alex.png|25px]][[File:Tuxedo Alex.png|25px]][[File:Athlete Alex.png|25px]][[File:Swedish Alex.png|25px]][[File:Prisoner Alex.png|25px]][[File:Cyclist Alex.png|25px]][[File:Boxer Alex.png|25px]][[File:Developer Alex.png|25px]]8 'Alex' model skins added to default skin pack.}}
}}

=== Historical images ===
<gallery>
File:Classic 0.0.17a Skins.jpg|The first skins being tested in Minecraft Classic.
File:Classic 0.0.18a 02 Screenshot 1.png|A camouflage skin in Minecraft Classic.
File:Classic 0.24 Skin with hat layer.jpg|The first image of a skin's hat layer, from Notch's blog.
File:Slim Arms 1.png|First image of the slim arms option.
File:Slim Arms 2.png|Second image of the slim arms option.
File:Slim Arms 3.png|Third image of the slim arms option.
File:Slim Arms 4.png|Fourth image of the slim arms option.
File:Slim Arms 5.png|Fifth image of the slim arms option.
File:Thatsnotaminecraftskinsilly.jpg|The old Pocket Edition error message for attempting to upload (as a skin) a file that is not a skin.
</gallery>

== Issues ==
{{issue list}}

== Trivia ==
[[File:Malicious Minecraft skins.png|thumb|An example of three of the skins that were infected by malware]]
* In April 2018, {{WP|malware}} code was discovered inside of several downloadable user-made ''Minecraft'' image skins for use with the {{JE}} of the game.<ref name="avastmalware">{{citation|url=https://blog.avast.com/minecraft-players-exposed-to-malicious-code-in-modified-skins|title=Minecraft players exposed to malicious code in modified “skins”|author=Alexej Savčin|website=blog.avast.com|date=April 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/0/https://blog.avast.com/minecraft-players-exposed-to-malicious-code-in-modified-skins}}</ref><ref name="pcgamermalware" /><ref name="varietymalware1" /> {{WP|Avast}} stated that nearly 50,000 accounts were infected, and when activated, the malware would attempt to {{WP|Disk formatting#Reformatting|reformat}} the user's hard drive.<ref name="varietymalware1">{{citation|author=Stefanie Fogel|date=18 April 2018|title=Nearly 50,000 'Minecraft' Accounts Infected With Malware Thanks to Modified 'Skins' |url=https://variety.com/2018/gaming/news/minecraft-malware-1202757936/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201210205116/https://variety.com/2018/gaming/news/minecraft-malware-1202757936/ |archive-date=10 December 2020 |access-date=3 April 2021 |website={{WP|Variety (magazine)|Variety}} |publisher=Variety Media}}</ref><ref name="pcgamermalware">{{citation|author=Paul Lilly|date=18 April 2018 |title=Beware of malicious Minecraft skins that attempt to erase your hard drive |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/beware-of-malicious-minecraft-skins-that-attempt-to-erase-your-hard-drive/ |url-status=live |website={{WP|PC Gamer}} |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210403155908/https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/beware-of-malicious-minecraft-skins-that-attempt-to-erase-your-hard-drive/ |archive-date=3 April 2021}}</ref> [[Minecraft:Mojang Studios|Mojang]] promptly patched the issue, and released a statement stating that "the code would not be run or read by the game itself",<ref name="pcgamermalware" /> and would run only when the image containing the skin itself was opened.<ref>{{citation |author=Stefanie Fogel|date=19 April 2018 |title='Minecraft' Developer Issues Fix for Skins Virus |url=https://variety.com/2018/gaming/news/minecraft-virus-skins-fix-1202761270/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180907125202/https://variety.com/2018/gaming/news/minecraft-virus-skins-fix-1202761270/ |archive-date=7 September 2018 |access-date=3 April 2021 |website={{WP|Variety (magazine)|Variety}} |publisher=Variety Media}}</ref>

=== Number of skins ===
The total number of possible unique player skins varies immensely, depending on version, as well as what is considered unique. Below are tables with the number of unique skins on ''Java'' and ''Bedrock Edition'', with cells within rows and columns that correspond to different rules. Cells in the left columns consider all completely transparent pixels to be the same, while the ones on the right consider them to be unique.

{| class="wikitable"
|+''Java Edition''
! colspan="2" rowspan="2" |
! colspan="2" |Allowing Upper Layer Translucency (''o<sub>t</sub>'' = 256),
Not Allowing Bottom Layer Transparency (''o<sub>b</sub>'' = 1)
|-
!All 0-Opacity Pixels Same (''s'' = False)
!All 0-Opacity Pixels Different (''s ='' False)
|-
| rowspan="2" |64×64
(''t'' = 4)
|Slim
|(2<sup>24</sup> × 255 + 1)<sup>1568</sup> × 2<sup>37632</sup>
≈ 1.501 746 863 × 10<sup>26430</sup>
|2<sup>87808</sup>
≈ 6.947 991 250 × 10<sup>26432</sup>
|-
|Wide
|(2<sup>24</sup> × 255 + 1)<sup>1632</sup> × 2<sup>39168</sup>
≈ 9.105 734 170 × 10<sup>27508</sup>
|2<sup>91392</sup>
≈ 5.412 073 956 × 10<sup>27511</sup>
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|+
''Bedrock Edition''
! colspan="2" rowspan="2" |
! colspan="2" |Not Allowing Upper Layer Translucency (''o<sub>t</sub>'' = 2),
Allowing Bottom Layer Transparency (''o<sub>b</sub>'' = 2)
|-
!All 0-Opacity Pixels Same (''s'' = True)
!All 0-Opacity Pixels Different (''s'' = False)
|-
| rowspan="2" |64×64
(''t'' = 4)
|Slim
|(2<sup>24</sup> + 1)<sup>3136</sup>
≈ 5.268 352 583 × 10<sup>22656</sup>
|2<sup>78400</sup>
≈ 5.644 949 436 × 10<sup>23600</sup>
|-
|Wide
|(2<sup>24</sup> + 1)<sup>3264</sup>
≈ 3.060 728 626 × 10<sup>23581</sup>
|2<sup>81600</sup>
≈ 1.115 953 711 × 10<sup>24564</sup>
|-
| rowspan="2" |128×128
(''t = 8'')
|Slim
|(2<sup>24</sup> + 1)<sup>12544</sup>
≈ 7.703 699 416 × 10<sup>90626</sup>
|2<sup>313600</sup>
≈ 1.015 407 167 × 10<sup>94403</sup>
|-
|Wide
|(2<sup>24</sup> + 1)<sup>13056</sup>
≈ 8.776 054 301 × 10<sup>94325</sup>
|2<sup>326400</sup>
≈ 1.550 903 312 × 10<sup>98256</sup>
|}
The formulae below can be used to find the number of skins with a given width, template dimensions, etc. It essentially finds the number of potential states for pixels on the bottom layer, multiplies that by the number of potential states for pixels on the top layer, then sets that to the power of the total number of pixels on each layer.

<math>\left(v_b\times v_t\right)^{\left(86+16A\right)\times t^2}</math>, where:

<math>v_b=\begin{cases}
2^{24}\left(\alpha_b-1\right)+1 & \text{if } s\land \alpha_b\ne1
\\ 2^{24}\alpha_b & \text{otherwise}
\end{cases}</math> is the number of possible values for each bottom layer pixel

<math>v_t=\begin{cases}
2^{24}\left(\alpha_t-1\right)+1 & \text{if } s\land \alpha_t\ne1
\\ 2^{24}\alpha_t & \text{otherwise}
\end{cases}</math> is the number of possible values for each bottom layer pixel

<math>\alpha_b</math> is the number of possible opacity values for each bottom layer pixel

<math>a_t</math> is the number of possible opacity values for pixels on the top layer.

<math>t</math> is the thickness, equal to the number of pixels wide legs are: 4 for 64×64, 8 for 128×128 

<math>A</math> is the arm thickness/thickness ratio: 1 for wide, 0.75 for slim

<math>s</math> is the "sameness" of 0-alpha pixels: True if all 0-alpha pixels are considered the same regardless of color, False otherwise


In an AntVenom video, he calculated a total of 2<sup>81600</sup> × 5<sup>3264</sup> (≈3.060 133 22<s>0</s>1 × 10<sup>26845</sup>) skins. The rules he used were to include only wide skins, allow transparent pixels only on the top layer, consider all fully transparent pixels to be unique, and include only 100 possible opacity values (''α<sub>b</sub>'' = 1, ''α<sub>t</sub>'' = 100'', t'' = 4, ''A'' = 1, ''s'' = 0).

== Gallery ==
{{split|section=1|reason=a lot of these aren't useful when it comes to explaining the concept of skins themselves and may be more relevant for inclusion in some sort of dedicated "notable skins" page}}
<gallery class="pixel-image">
File:China Edition Background.png|Official artwork showing Steve and Alex variants from Minecraft: [[Minecraft:China Edition]]'s website.
File:Allmobheads.png|[[Minecraft:Player_Head#Marc's_Head_Format|Marc's Heads]] are accounts with specific skins made for decoration.
File:Minwi (QwertyLilley).png|An example of a custom skin.
File:AlexSkins.png|A variety of Alex skins available in the Legacy Console Edition. Left to right: Tennis, Tuxedo, Athlete, Default, Swedish, Cyclist, Prisoner, and Boxer.
File:MeetTheCast.png|A render of the full cast, used when first entering the [[Minecraft:character creator]].
File:Crossover.png|A screenshot of various skins used to promote ''Minecraft'' spin-offs; [[Minecraft:Minecraft Story Mode:Ivor|Ivor]] from ''[[Minecraft: Story Mode]]'', [[Minecraft:Character|Buff Butcher]] from ''[[Minecraft: Builders & Biomes|Builders & Biomes]]'', and [[Minecraft:Bianca]] from ''[[Minecraft: The Crash]]''.
File:Christmas-competition-winners.png|Skins created with the [[Minecraft:skin studio]].
File:Papercraft Skin.jpg|Papercraft rendition of a custom skin.
</gallery>

=== Renders ===
<gallery>
Testvan.png|Testvan's skin as seen in an early skin test screenshot.
Mezo JE1.png|Mezo's skin as seen in an early skin test screenshot.
Mezo JE2.png|Mezo in a camouflaged skin.
Steve Glasses.png|Notch's hat layer test skin.
Steve's Friend.png|Steve's friend from the [[Minecraft:Official Minecraft Trailer]].
Notch-skin.png|[[Minecraft:Notch]]'s skin.
Jeb skin.png|[[Minecraft:Jeb]]'s skin.
C418 skin.png|[[Minecraft:C418]]'s skin.
JAPPASKIN.png|[[Minecraft:Jappa]]'s skin.
Slicedlime-Skin.png|[[Minecraft:Slicedlime]]'s skin.
LadyAgnes-Skin.png|[[Minecraft:LadyAgnes]]'s skin.
Kingbdogz skin.png|[[Minecraft:Kingbdogz]]'s skin.
Searge skin.png|[[Minecraft:Searge]]'s skin.
ExcitedZe.png|[[Minecraft:ExcitedZe]]'s skin.
Dinnerbone Minecraft skin.png|[[Minecraft:Dinnerbone]]'s skin.
Eric Skin.png|[[Minecraft:Grum]]'s skin.
Mollstam yam.png|[[Minecraft:Tobias Möllstam|mollstam]]'s skin.
slamp00 skin.png|[[Minecraft:slamp00]]'s skin.
Deadmau5 blue.png|[[Minecraft:Deadmau5]]'s skin (blue version).
Deadmau5 RED.png|Deadmau5's skin (red version).
DanTDM skin.png|[[Minecraft:DanTDM]]'s skin
CaptainSparklez skin.png|[[Minecraft:CaptainSparklez]]'s skin
Mumbo.png|[[Minecraft:Mumbo Jumbo]]'s skin
Grian.png|[[Minecraft:Grian]]'s skin
LDShadowLady Skin.png|[[Minecraft:LDShadowLady]]'s skin
Technoblade skin.png|[[Minecraft:Technoblade]]'s skin
Herobrine.png|[[Minecraft:Herobrine]]'s skin
Easter Egg Villager Base.png|The base villager skin out of the 7 villager skins that all players wore during [[Minecraft:April Fools' Day jokes|April Fools' Day]] 2014.
Easter Egg Villager Butcher.png|The butcher villager skin out of the 7 villager skins that all players wore during [[Minecraft:April Fools' Day jokes|April Fools' Day]] 2014.
Easter Egg Villager Farmer.png|The farmer villager skin out of the 7 villager skins that all players wore during [[Minecraft:April Fools' Day jokes|April Fools' Day]] 2014.
Easter Egg Villager Librarian.png|The librarian villager skin out of the 7 villager skins that all players wore during [[Minecraft:April Fools' Day jokes|April Fools' Day]] 2014.
Easter Egg Villager Priest.png|The priest villager skin out of the 7 villager skins that all players wore during [[Minecraft:April Fools' Day jokes|April Fools' Day]] 2014.
Easter Egg Villager Smith.png|The smith villager skin out of the 7 villager skins that all players wore during [[Minecraft:April Fools' Day jokes|April Fools' Day]] 2014.
Villager2014EasterEggRenderImage.png|One of the 7 Villager skins that all players wore during [[Minecraft:April Fools' Day jokes|April Fools' Day]] 2014. Of note is that Nitwits were unimplemented at the time.
Dummy.png|Dummy.
Dummy (Earth).png|Dummy but in {{MCE}}.
</gallery>

== See also ==
*[[Minecraft:Mojang API]]
*[[Minecraft:Character]]
*{{EntityLink|id=mob|Mob (entity)}}
*[[Minecraft:Mobs]]
*{{EntityLink|Mob of Me}}
*{{EntityLink|Player}}
*[[Minecraft:Skin pack]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|1}}

== External links ==
* [https://help.minecraft.net/hc/en-us/articles/4408894664461-How-to-Make-a-Custom-Skin-in-Minecraft-Java-Edition How to Make a Custom Skin in ''Minecraft: Java Edition''] – [[Minecraft:Minecraft Help Center]]
Skin editors:
* [https://skinscollection.com/editor SkinsCollection]
* [https://www.blockbench.net Blockbench]
* [https://www.planetminecraft.com/skin-editor/ PMCSkin3D]
* [https://needcoolershoes.com NeedCoolerShoes]
* [https://www.minecraftskins.com/skin-editor/ Skindex]
See [[Minecraft:Tutorial:Programs and editors/Skinning and texturing]] for a more detailed list.

== Navigation ==
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