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Server & Commands

How to Use the /clone Command

The /clone command copies a whole region of blocks from one place to another in a single line. Give it two source corners and one destination corner, pick a mask mode, and the server stamps an exact copy wherever you point it.

world, survival
> /clone 100 64 200 110 70 210 -50 64 200
SOURCE 100,64,200
→
DEST −50,64,200
[Server] Cloned 1331 blocks
> 11×7×11 region copiedmode: replace normal
The two-corner rule
  1. 1
    Stand near the region
    Be within range of both the source and destination, or run it from a command block. /clone only works on already-loaded chunks.
  2. 2
    Get the two source corners
    Note the X Y Z of two opposite corners of what you want to copy, e.g. 100 64 200 and 110 70 210. F3 shows your coordinates.
  3. 3
    Pick a destination corner
    Choose one corner for the copy. It maps to the lowest source corner: /clone 100 64 200 110 70 210 -50 64 200.
  4. 4
    Choose a mask mode
    Append replace (default), masked to copy only solid blocks, or filtered <block> to copy just one block type.
  5. 5
    Run and verify
    Hit enter. The server reports Cloned N blocks. Use force if source and destination overlap.

What you need

Coordinates (F3)
Source region
Destination corner
Command block (optional)

Quick answers

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What is the basic /clone syntax?
/clone <x1 y1 z1> <x2 y2 z2> <dest x y z>. The first two sets are opposite corners of the source box; the third is where the copy's lowest corner lands.
?
How do I copy without the air blocks?
Add masked at the end: /clone 100 64 200 110 70 210 -50 64 200 masked. Only non-air blocks are written, so the copy drops onto existing terrain without punching holes.
?
What does filtered mode do?
filtered <block> copies only that one block type, e.g. ...filtered minecraft:redstone_lamp. Everything else in the region is ignored.
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Can the source and destination overlap?
Yes, but you must add force as the clone mode (e.g. ...replace force). Without it the command fails to avoid corrupting the copy.
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Is there a size limit?
Vanilla caps /clone at 32,768 blocks per call. Both the source and destination chunks must be loaded, so it will not work on unexplored areas.
?
Can I move a build instead of copying it?
Use move as the mask mode after the coordinates to clone then clear the source, effectively cutting the region: ...replace move.
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