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Server Commands

How to Use the /title Command

The /title command flashes big center text across every player's screen, perfect for round wins, boss intros and event announcements. Pair it with a subtitle and custom timing and you get a clean cinematic banner with no plugins.

server console, Paper 1.21
VICTORY ROYALE
the dragon has been slain
> /title @a title {"text":"VICTORY ROYALE","color":"gold"}
[Server] Showing new title to 4 player(s)
[12:04:31 INFO]: CONSOLE issued server command: /title @a title …
The full title sequence
  1. 1
    Pick who sees it
    Use a target selector right after the word title. /title @a aims at everyone, /title @p at the nearest player, /title Steve at one name.
  2. 2
    Set the timing first
    /title @a times 10 70 20 sets fade-in, stay and fade-out in ticks (20 ticks = 1 second). Run this before the title so the next title uses it.
  3. 3
    Send the big title
    /title @a title {"text":"VICTORY","color":"gold","bold":true} shows the large center text. The JSON must be valid, mind the braces and quotes.
  4. 4
    Add a subtitle
    /title @a subtitle {"text":"the dragon is dead"} queues the smaller line. It only appears when you next send a title, so run subtitle, then title.
  5. 5
    Use actionbar or clear
    /title @a actionbar {"text":"Saved"} prints above the hotbar with no fade. /title @a clear removes a showing title; reset restores default times.

What you need

/title sub-commands
JSON text component
times (in ticks)
@a / @p selectors

Quick answers

?

Why does my subtitle not show?

A subtitle only appears alongside a title. Send /title @a subtitle … first, then /title @a title … right after. On its own the subtitle is just queued.
?

What is the times order?

It is fade-in, stay, fade-out, all in ticks. /title @a times 10 70 20 means half a second in, 3.5 seconds held, 1 second out. Run reset to go back to defaults.
?

Can I color the text?

Yes. Use JSON: {"text":"Hi","color":"gold"}. Named colors and hex like "#55ffaa" both work, plus bold, italic and underlined as true/false fields.
?

How do I clear a title early?

/title @a clear hides any title currently on screen for those players. It does not change your times; use /title @a reset to also restore default timing.
?

Does actionbar use the times?

No. The actionbar variant ignores the times values and stays for a fixed moment, refreshing if you resend it. Use it for short status text, not big reveals.
?

Why does it say invalid JSON?

The text component must be valid: {"text":"Hello"} with double quotes. In a command block escaping is automatic; in chat type the braces exactly as shown.

/title at a glance

Syntax

/title <targets>…

Who may run it

OP (L2)

What it does

Controls the title display on players' screens. Can show titles, subtitles, action bar text, and configure…

Three things /title is actually used for

/title @a title {"text":"Round 1"}
Puts big text across everyone's screen, the standard way to open a minigame round.
/title @a subtitle {"text":"Good luck"}
Sets the smaller line under the title. It only shows the next time a title is sent.
/title @a times 10 60 20
Sets fade in, hold and fade out in ticks, so this one holds for three seconds.

Every command with its full argument list lives in the command reference.

Blocks and items in this guide

Trial Key in MinecraftTrial KeyDiamond in MinecraftDiamondTarget in MinecraftTarget

All 3 of these are named in the guide above, starting with Trial Key. Look them up in the item database.

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