/msg
Sends a private message to one or more players. Also available as /tell and /w.
Overview
Sends a private message to one or more players. Also available as /tell and /w. In vanilla Minecraft Java Edition it is one of the display commands, first added in Alpha v1.0.16_02.
It is invoked as /msg <targets> <message> and accepts 2 required arguments (<targets> and <message>).
/msg also works as /tell and /w, which behave identically, so you can use whichever you prefer.
Available to all players (permission level 0). Aliases: /tell, /w. The message is only visible to the sender and the targeted player(s).
The message is visible only to the sender and the targeted players; @a sends an individual whisper to each player.
Syntax & Arguments
/msg <targets> <message>The full syntax is /msg <targets> <message>. Angle brackets < > mark required arguments and square brackets [ ] mark optional ones; a vertical bar | between words means you pick exactly one of those literals. You must always supply <targets> and <message>.
- targets
- Required, of type an entity. The player(s) to send the private message to.
- message
- Required, of type a message. The message text to send.
Parameters
| Name | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| targets | entity | Required | The player(s) to send the private message to. |
| message | message | Required | The message text to send. |
Examples
The 2 examples below are ready to copy and adapt. For instance, /msg Steve Hey, come to my base! sends a private message to Steve. Each example varies the arguments to show a different real use of /msg; read the note under every snippet to see exactly what changes.
/msg Steve Hey, come to my base!Sends a private message to Steve.
/msg @a Server maintenance in 5 minutesSends a private message to all players.
Permission Level & Requirements
/msg sits at permission Level 0 - All Players, which means any player can run it without operator status.
Permission level 0, so everyone can use it.
This reference describes the Java Edition 1.21 form of the command; Bedrock Edition may use slightly different argument formats.
Common Mistakes
- Using /msg for public announcements, other players will not see the message. Use /say for public messages.
- Forgetting that @a sends individual private messages to each player, not a group message.
Notes
Available to all players (permission level 0). Aliases: /tell, /w. The message is only visible to the sender and the targeted player(s).
Related Commands
If /msg is part of your toolkit, the commands below are the ones you will most often reach for alongside it: /say, /tellraw, and /me. They cover closely related tasks, so the links above jump straight to each one.
Frequently Asked Questions about /msg
What does the /msg command do in Minecraft?
Sends a private message to one or more players. Also available as /tell and /w. It belongs to the display command group and was first added in Java Edition Alpha v1.0.16_02.
What is the correct syntax for /msg?
/msg <targets> <message>. The required arguments are targets and message.
What permission level does /msg need?
It requires permission Level 0 - All Players. No operator status is needed.
What is a common mistake when using /msg?
Using /msg for public announcements, other players will not see the message. Use /say for public messages.
Can you give an example of /msg in use?
Yes. /msg @a Server maintenance in 5 minutes: sends a private message to all players.
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