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blocks.json File Reference

The blocks.json file is used in Minecraft: Bedrock Edition Resource Packs to define basic properties for custom and vanilla blocks.

Important

While the blocks.json file allows configuration of textures and rendering properties, components in Behavior Packs, specifying minecraft:geometry and minecraft:material_instances, will override configurations here. Components are more powerful, and they're the recommended way to specify visual properties for blocks, leaving blocks.json as just a sound configuration system.

File location

The blocks.json file should be placed in the root directory of your Resource Pack (alongside manifest.json).

File structure

The blocks.json file follows this basic structure:

{
  "format_version": "1.19.30",
  "namespace:block_name": {
    "sound": "sound_name",
    "textures": "texture_name_or_object",
    "carried_textures": "texture_name_or_object",
    "isotropic": true
  }
}

Properties

Name Description
format_version The syntax version used in the file. Generally, this should be the current version of Minecraft.
namespace Your custom namespace, e.g., demo, custom, mypack, etc.
block_name The unique name for your block.
sound The sound effect that plays when the block is placed, broken, or walked on.
textures Texture definitions (see below).
carried_textures Texture definitions (see below); if unspecified, uses textures.
isotropic Set to true to use isotropic filtering on the block for a smoother appearance.

Texture definitions

Textures are defined in the terrain_texture.json file; the values in blocks.json must refer to texture aliases defined there.

Single texture (string)

Use a string to apply the same texture to all faces:

{
  "demo:simple_block": {
    "textures": "my_texture"
  }
}

Per-face textures (object)

Use an object to specify different textures for different faces:

{
  "demo:custom_block": {
    "textures": {
      "up": "top_texture",
      "down": "bottom_texture",
      "north": "side_texture",
      "south": "side_texture",
      "east": "side_texture",
      "west": "side_texture"
    }
  }
}

In addition to up, down, north, south, east, and west for individual sides, you can use:

  • side: All four side faces (excluding up and down)
  • *: Set a default texture for any unspecified faces

Complete example

Here's a comprehensive example showing multiple blocks with different properties:

{
  "format_version": "1.19.30",
  "demo:simple_stone": {
    "sound": "stone",
    "textures": "demo_stone"
  },
  "demo:wooden_crate": {
    "sound": "wood",
    "textures": {
      "up": "crate_top",
      "down": "crate_bottom", 
      "side": "crate_side"
    },
    "carried_textures": "crate_item"
  },
  "demo:glass_block": {
    "sound": "glass",
    "textures": "demo_glass",
    "isotropic": true
  },
  "demo:die": {
    "sound": "stone",
    "textures": {
      "up": "die_1",
      "down": "die_6",
      "north": "die_3",
      "south": "die_4", 
      "east": "die_2",
      "west": "die_5"
    },
    "carried_textures": "die_red"
  }
}
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