Level Up Your Minecraft Builds with the Fill Command

Building is a blast in Minecraft. The only limit is your imagination. But let's be honest — sometimes placing thousands of blocks to build something big can feel like a chore. Good thing Minecraft has a cool trick up its sleeve to make building way easier and faster: the fill command. Let's explore how to use it and change your building game forever!

This post was updated on February 19, 2024, with better examples of fill command options and fresh images.

To use the fill command, cheats need to be turned on. Knowing your exact coordinates in the world also really helps. If you need a refresher, there are sections below showing you how to enable cheats and find your coordinates. If you're all set, let's jump right in!

How to Use the Minecraft Fill Command

1. Filling Areas Using Coordinates

First things first — find a good open spot to build. In Creative mode, you can even fly up and build in the sky! The /fill command can also erase blocks and clear out an area. Head to one corner of the space where you want to build and jot down the coordinates. Then go to the corner directly opposite, across the area, and write those coordinates down too. You'll need the X, Y, and Z values for both spots.

To use the fill command, open the chat and type:

/fill x1 y1 z1 x2 y2 z2 <block name>

x1, y1, and z1 are the coordinates of the first corner, and x2, y2, and z2 are the coordinates of the second corner. Replace <block name> with the Minecraft block you want to use.

Example: /fill 1380 65 -5193 1389 74 -5202 minecraft:diamond_block — this will generate a large diamond block shape.

2. Filling Areas Without Coordinates

Here's how to make it even simpler. If you know how big you want something to be, you can build it right next to your current position without measuring corners. For a shape that's 20 blocks high, 10 blocks wide, and 5 blocks deep, use:

/fill ~ ~ ~ ~10 ~20 ~5 <block name>

The ~ symbol stands for your current location. The number after it tells the game how many blocks away from you to build. So ~ ~ ~ is exactly where you are, ~ ~-10 ~ is 10 blocks below you, and ~ ~20 ~ is 20 blocks above.

3. Choosing Your Blocks

When building by hand, you're limited to placing blocks one at a time. The /fill command lets you use almost any block instantly — including light blocks and air. As you type the command, the game even suggests block names to help.

Keep in mind: Some blocks, like vines or buttons, may break if they don't have support. Water and lava placed with the fill command will also flow normally rather than staying in place.

Minecraft Fill Command Options

Once you know the basic fill command, you can do even more with it by adding keywords that change how it works. Here's a breakdown of each option:

1. Replace

By default, the fill command replaces every block in the selected area. The replace option lets you target only specific blocks. Only the block type you specify will be swapped out, leaving everything else untouched.

/fill x1 y1 z1 x2 y2 z2 <block A> replace <block B>

<block A> is the block you want to place, and <block B> is the block you want to replace. Replacing blocks with air is a quick way to carve out sections of your builds.

2. Destroy

The destroy option fills the area with your chosen block, but it also drops all previously existing blocks as items — just like you mined them yourself. Underground, this creates a cool stripped mining look.

/fill x1 y1 z1 x2 y2 z2 <block name> destroy

3. Hollow

The hollow option only builds the outer walls of your shape. Instead of a solid structure, you get an empty shell. Any blocks that were inside the area get replaced with air.

/fill x1 y1 z1 x2 y2 z2 <block name> hollow

4. Outline

Similar to hollow, the outline option only creates the outer shell — but the difference is that the blocks inside the shape stay exactly as they are. This is great for surrounding structures or trapping mobs without disturbing the interior.

/fill x1 y1 z1 x2 y2 z2 <block name> outline

5. Keep

The keep option only fills empty (air) blocks in the target area. Any existing blocks are left completely alone — nothing gets destroyed or replaced. If there are no empty blocks in the area, your command won't place anything.

/fill x1 y1 z1 x2 y2 z2 <block name> keep

Important note for Bedrock Edition: You may need to add 1 before these options for them to work correctly.

How the Fill Command Works

In simple terms, the fill command fills spaces with blocks — but it can also destroy and replace them. This lets you quickly construct basic structures without placing blocks individually. Keep these points in mind when using it:

• It works with one specific block per command.
• It won't place blocks in the void or past the edge of the world.
• It can place up to 32,768 blocks at once.
• You need exact coordinates to define the start and end of the area.
• Placing a large number of blocks can slow down or crash your game if overdone.
• All fill command structures are cuboid (box-shaped) or line-based.

How to Turn On Cheats in Minecraft

Commands work like cheats, so you need to enable them in your world before using them. Here's how to do it in both editions:

Bedrock Edition

1. Pause the game by pressing ESC or your platform's pause button, then select Settings.
2. In the Game section, scroll down to Cheats and toggle Activate Cheats to ON.

Java Edition

1. Press Esc to pause, then click Open to LAN. You don't need to be playing multiplayer for this to work.
2. Turn Allow Cheats to ON, then click Start LAN World.

How to Find Your Coordinates in Minecraft

Knowing your coordinates is essential for using the fill command accurately. Here's how to find them in each edition:

Java Edition

Press the F3 key to open the debug screen. Your X, Y, and Z coordinates will be displayed on screen.

Bedrock Edition

There's no shortcut key. Go to your game or world settings and enable the Show Coordinates option. Your coordinates will then appear in the top left corner of the screen.

Whether you want to build walls around your village or clear out space for a massive project, the fill command has you covered. It might seem tricky at first, but with a little practice you'll be using it like a pro. What are you planning to build with it? Leave a comment below!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Undo a Fill Command in Minecraft?

No, you can't. That's why it's a good idea to use the keep option when working near existing structures, so your builds are protected.

What Is the Command to Clear a Large Area in Minecraft?

To clear a space, replace every block in that area with air using the following syntax:

/fill x1 y1 z1 x2 y2 z2 air

Are Fill Command Syntax the Same in All Versions of Minecraft?

Minecraft is updated frequently, and commands can change between versions. Check the Minecraft Wiki for the most up-to-date syntax to avoid errors.