Minecraft /clone Command
Duplicates or moves all blocks from a source bounding box to a destination coordinate, supporting masking filters and overlap modes.
Version Compatibility
Command Syntax
/clone <begin> <end> <destination> [filtered|masked|replace] [force|move|normal] [<filter>]/clone <begin> <end> <destination> [maskMode] [cloneMode] [tileName] [tileData]Arguments Explained
beginCoordinatesRequiredFirst corner of the source cuboid bounding box.
endCoordinatesRequiredOpposite diagonal corner of the source bounding box.
destinationCoordinatesRequiredThe lower northwest corner (minimum X, minimum Y, minimum Z) where the cloned region will be pasted.
maskModeMask Modereplace (copies all blocks including air, default), masked (copies non-air blocks only), filtered (copies only blocks matching a specific block ID).
cloneModeClone Modenormal (fails if source and destination overlap, default), force (allows overlapping regions), move (cuts and pastes: replaces source with air).
Practical Examples
/clone 10 64 10 20 74 20 100 64 100 replace normalDuplicates a 11x11x11 building to coordinates 100, 64, 100.
Structure duplication.
/clone ~-5 ~ ~-5 ~5 ~10 ~5 ~15 ~ ~ replace forceCopies a structure 20 blocks East, allowing overlapping boundaries.
Extending hallways or wall segments.
/clone ~-3 ~ ~-3 ~3 ~6 ~3 ~ ~10 ~ masked normalCopies a structure without overwriting existing ground with air blocks.
Tree or statue placement on uneven terrain.
/clone ~-5 ~ ~-5 ~5 ~5 ~5 50 64 50 move normalCuts and pastes an elevator carriage to a new position, deleting the source blocks.
Piston-free elevator systems.
Common Mistakes
Mistake:
Misunderstanding the destination corner: expecting destination to be the center of where you paste
Fix:
Destination is ALWAYS the minimum corner (lowest X, lowest Y, lowest Z).
Mistake:
Source and destination overlapping without specifying "force" or "move"
Fix:
If source and destination overlap, Minecraft errors with "Source and destination cannot overlap". Always append "force" or "move".
Mistake:
Attempting to clone between dimensions directly with /clone
Fix:
/clone only operates within the current dimension. Use Structure Blocks for cross-dimensional duplication.
Java vs Bedrock Differences
Java Edition supports the "filtered" mask mode with optional block state filtering. Bedrock Edition supports clone limits up to 524,288 blocks on powerful devices, while Java is limited to 32,768 blocks per command.
Command Block Usage & Automation
Crucial for animated structures such as drawbridges, portcullises, opening vault doors, and elevators. Store pre-built stages of the door in hidden buffer coordinates and sequentially /clone them to the active doorway using Repeating and Chain command blocks with tick delays.
Useful Tips
Use masked mode when copying natural features like trees or rocks so the rectangular air box does not erase grass and terrain.
Use move mode for animated gates and elevators to automatically delete the old position in a single tick.
Important Notes
Destination is always the minimum coordinate corner (most negative X, Y, and Z values) of the target area. The volume cannot exceed 32,768 blocks in Java Edition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does /clone copy chest inventories and sign text?
Yes! Block entities (chests, furnaces, signs, dispensers) have their full inventory and data duplicated.
Can /clone rotate structures?
No, /clone cannot rotate or mirror blocks. Use Structure Blocks with the Load and Rotate feature if orientation must change.
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