How to change your skin in Minecraft
A step-by-step guide for Java Edition, Bedrock Edition and third-party launchers.
Changing your skin in Minecraft takes a few clicks, but the exact method depends on the edition of the game and your platform. This guide shows you how to set a new skin in Java Edition through the official website and the launcher, in Bedrock Edition on each platform, and in popular third-party launchers such as Prism Launcher. At the end you will find fixes for the most common skin problems.
Before you start, you need a skin file in PNG format that is 64x64 pixels. If you don't have a favorite skin yet, browse our ranking of the best skin sites or create your own. You can also use our 3D skin viewer to see how a skin looks on a character model before you set it.
Java Edition: changing your skin on minecraft.net
The fastest way to change your skin in Java Edition. A skin set through the website is immediately visible to all players on every server.
Go to minecraft.net
Open minecraft.net in your browser and sign in with your Microsoft account (the same one you use to play).
Open your profile
Open the account menu in the top right corner and go to your Profile. Under Java Edition, choose "Change Skin". You should see a 3D preview of your current character.
Choose the character model
Select Classic (wide arms, like Steve) or Slim (thin arms, like Alex). This choice must match your skin file, otherwise the texture will look misaligned on the arms.
Upload the PNG file
Select the PNG file from your computer and upload it. The file should be 64x64 pixels. A file in the old 64x32 format is also accepted.
Done!
The skin is active right away. If Minecraft is already open, leave the server and join again (or restart the game) to see the change. Other players will see your new skin without any extra steps.
Java Edition: changing your skin in the Minecraft Launcher
The official Minecraft Launcher lets you change your skin without opening a browser. This method is faster if you already have the launcher open.
Open the launcher and go to the Skins tab
In the official Minecraft Launcher, make sure Java Edition is selected and click the "Skins" tab in the top menu. You will see a list of your saved skins and a preview of the current one.
Add a new skin
Click "New Skin". The launcher opens a form with a field for the name, a model choice (Classic/Slim) and a button for uploading the file.
Upload the file and save
Click "Browse", choose the PNG file, then click "Save & Use". The launcher shows a 3D preview of the skin. If something looks wrong (for example, misaligned textures), check that you picked the right character model.
Skin library
The launcher lets you save multiple skins and switch between them quickly. You can give each one a name and keep separate skins for different occasions: one for an SMP, another for an RPG server and another for events.
Bedrock Edition
In Bedrock Edition you change your skin directly in the game. The process differs slightly depending on the platform (PC, phone, console), but the general pattern is the same.
Windows 10/11, Android, iOS
Open the Dressing Room
On the main menu, select the character button (the hanger icon). This opens the Dressing Room with a preview of your current skin.
Select "Classic Skins"
In the left panel, go to "Classic Skins". Here you will see the list of default skins and the button for importing your own.
Import your own skin
Click "Choose New Skin", then pick the PNG file from your device. Bedrock accepts files of 64x64 and 128x128 pixels (and the old 64x32 format).
Choose the skin type
The game asks which model your skin uses: Steve (classic, 4px arms) or Alex (slim, 3px arms). Choose the matching one and confirm.
Consoles (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch)
On consoles you cannot import your own PNG file: custom skin files can only be imported on Windows and mobile devices. You have two options:
- Marketplace - buy a skin pack in the store built into the game. Skin packs are paid with Minecoins, although some are free. This is the main official way to get new skins on consoles.
- Default skins - Bedrock offers nine free default skins (Steve, Alex and others), so you don't need to import anything.
Skins you buy in the Marketplace are tied to your account (a Microsoft account, or your PlayStation or Nintendo account on those consoles), so you can use them on any device where you sign in.
Prism Launcher and other third-party launchers
Many players use alternative launchers such as Prism Launcher, MultiMC or ATLauncher. Each of them can change skins, but each does it a little differently.
Prism Launcher
Prism Launcher has a built-in skin manager. Open Settings > Accounts (or click your account icon in the top right corner and choose "Manage Accounts..."), select your account and click "Manage Skins". Click "Import File", choose your PNG file, select the imported skin in the list, pick the model (Classic or Slim) and confirm with "OK". The skin is uploaded directly to Mojang's servers, so it works exactly like changing it on the official website.
ATLauncher
In ATLauncher, open the Accounts tab and select your account. Right-click the skin preview and choose "Change Skin", then click "Browse" to pick your PNG file, set the skin type (Classic or Slim) and click "Upload". The "Reload Skin" option only refreshes the preview from Mojang's servers.
Pirated launchers (such as TLauncher)
Offline-mode launchers let you set a skin locally, but it is visible only on servers that support offline skins (for example, servers running the SkinsRestorer plugin). On legitimate servers with "online-mode" turned on, a skin set this way will not be visible. We do not recommend pirated launchers: buy the game and use one of the methods above to get a skin that everyone can see.
SkinsRestorer on servers
Many server admins install the SkinsRestorer plugin, which lets players change their skin with the command /skin set <nick> (the skin is taken from the player with that name) directly on the server. This workaround works regardless of which launcher you use. Check whether your favorite server supports it.
Classic vs Slim: how to choose the character model
Every skin in Minecraft is designed for one of two character models. Choosing the wrong model makes the skin look broken (black stripes on the arms or missing pixels). How can you tell which one to pick?
Classic (Steve)
- Arms 4 pixels wide
- The default model in Minecraft
- Most skins on the internet are made for Classic
- Wider, "square" arms
Slim (Alex)
- Arms 3 pixels wide
- Added in version 1.8 (2014)
- A slimmer look for the character
- Popular for female and slender characters
If you downloaded a skin and don't know which model it was designed for, open the file in any image editor and check the pixel at position (50, 16). If it is transparent (empty), the skin is for the Slim model. If it is colored, it is for Classic. Most skin sites (NameMC, Skindex) show the model next to each skin.
You can also check it in our 3D skin viewer, which detects the model automatically and displays the skin correctly.
Troubleshooting skin problems
Your skin isn't working? Here are the most common problems and their solutions:
The skin does not change after I log in
Quit the game completely (not just the server) and start it again. If that doesn't help, log out of the launcher and log back in. Sometimes Mojang's servers need a few minutes to propagate the change.
Black stripes on the arms or missing pixels
You chose the wrong character model. If the skin is made for Slim and you set Classic (or the other way around), the arms will be displayed incorrectly. Change the model in the launcher or on minecraft.net.
Other players see a default skin instead of mine
This may be a connection problem between your client and Mojang's servers. Check that your skin is set correctly on minecraft.net. If you play through a VPN, turn it off and check again.
Error when uploading the skin file
The file must be a PNG that is 64x64 pixels (Java Edition also accepts the old 64x32 format), without animation. Make sure you are not uploading a JPG or WEBP file whose extension was simply changed to .png.
The skin works in single-player but not on a server
The server may have "online-mode" turned off in server.properties, which means skins are not downloaded from Mojang's servers. Ask the admin to install the SkinsRestorer plugin.
Transparent parts of the skin show up white or black
The base (inner) layer of a skin does not support transparency. Semi-transparent pixels on the base layer are rendered as fully opaque. Transparency only works on the overlay (outer) layer. If you want transparent gloves, for example, put them on the overlay part of the template.