Skin

Properties
Skins are divided into areas that act as the surface area of the character (for example, the front head area, left leg area, etc.). There are a total of 3,264 pixels that can be customized, with 1,632 on each layer. The second layer can be used to give the character glasses, hats, or other accessories (even a bigger head).

$$, a skin allows only a solid color; transparency is not allowed on the skin file except on the second layer, which is transparent by default; playing offline, pixels can be left free resulting in "holes" in the skin. If a skin with transparent pixels on the first layer is uploaded, the transparent pixels render as black pixels in-game. There are about 9.571 656 652 × 1031441 possible skins in this edition, with 5.412 073 956 × 1027511 compatible online.

$$, skins can have double the resolution of a normal skin. This means the skin template can be up to 128×128 instead of just 64×64. The normal templates still apply, but players get 4× the amount of pixels to work with, since both dimensions have been doubled. Transparency can be used, even on the first layer, though there needs to be at least one visible pixel on five body parts, so a fully invisible skin can't be made. The transparency must also be 0% or 100% as translucent colors are not allowed in either layer. Pixel size of the 2nd layer on body, arms and legs is 0.25 pixel bigger than the skin pixel (inner layer). For head 2nd layer (Hat layer) it is 0.5 pixels bigger than the skin layer (inner layer).

World textures
A skin can also refer to other textures in the game, such as block textures, item sprites, mob skins, etc. A list of these can be found here.

It is worth noting that a zombie and its variants can use typical player skins (and vice-versa). Skeleton mobs can use typical player skins as well, but keep in mind that they have their skinny arms and legs. If a skeleton mob skin is used as a player's skin, their legs and arms do not appear skinny.

In order to use the player skin for zombies, the user must align it to the correct place on the .png to avoid a visual break in the texture.

Java Edition
Only players who have purchased Minecraft can change their character's skin. This is done on the profile page or in the Minecraft launcher by uploading a valid  texture that is 64×64 pixels or legacy texture that is 64×32 pixels, which then replaces the default skin.

Skins also have the option of having 3 or 4 pixel wide arms, which can be changed on the profile page as well.

The  and   files in minecraft.jar (Old launcher) or Minecraft _version.jar  (New Launcher) can also be changed and replaced via a resource pack, but the effects are visible only to players using the resource pack, and affects all players with the default skin.

Legacy Console Edition


There were 18 default skin types (with the exception of the skin packs), 9 of which were based on the Steve model, and the other 9 based on the Alex model, wearing different outfits and skin colors. The skins were available to be chosen in the 'Change Skin' area of Help & Options. There were also a few other skins with the name of Alex or Steve, but they weren't default, such as Developer Alex or Party Steve. The Legacy Console Edition did not allow transparent skins, because the player could not create their own skins. This prevented issues with completely transparent skin users "haunting" other players. The player could add custom skins to the Legacy Console Edition via hacking; however, this voided the warranty of the console, and the player risked a ban from online play for an illicitly modded game or console.

Other versions of Steve and Alex in officially-released skin packs exist:

Bedrock Edition
Since Pocket Edition Alpha 0.11.0, players can choose one of the two default skins either Steve or Alex, and can apply their own custom skin. (Uses the same format as the Java edition). The player must select a valid skin image from their photo library, and must choose between the two main models. Players can also spend Minecraft Coins to buy skin packs. The Legacy Skin Pack was also implemented $$, but the player has to sign in to Xbox Live to access all the skins. It also includes five anonymous skins. Players can also make their own skin packs, which must include a manifest.json file, a skins.json file, and all the desired skins. An additional .lang file can be added inside a folder labeled texts to display the skin names, but the game can register the skins without it.



Character creator
The character creator is a feature $$ that lets players customize their skins with free and paid-for cosmetic items. It can be accessed by selecting the character profile button on the main menu. It can also be used to equip capes. Many clothing items cost Minecoins (Tokens on PlayStation 4), or can be earned by completing certain achievements.

Skin packs


Skin Packs are available $$ as downloadable content. Skin Packs add additional skins that players may choose from along with the 2 default skins packaged with the game. They often feature characters from other video games, alongside original designs.

Java Editioin Skin Packs
Those skin packs were released on minecraft.net by Mojang for certain events.

There might be more Java exclusive skin packs released by Mojang not yet listed in this table.

Templates
Many players prefer their own unique skin. While many premade skins can be found online, many players prefer to create their own.

A custom skin is a way to personalize the player model and can be done either by using a variety of community-made skin editors, or by editing the or  file manually with an image editor like Photoshop, GIMP, Paint.net or similar image editors. The file can be downloaded here and the  file here. When editing the or  file manually, be sure to keep the original image dimensions and make the background of the skin (the unused pixels) completely transparent. Otherwise, Minecraft may fail to recognize the skin as intended.

Alternatively, some may find it easier to use a program, either downloadable or in-browser, which provides a live view of their character on a three-dimensional model as they are editing the skin. For example, programs may further assist players by providing them with a wide variety of pre-made selections (such as hats, boots, sweaters, etc.), to give the skin creator exactly what they want, even if the creator has little to no artistic skill.

After making a custom skin, either by using a skin editor or by editing the file directly, one still needs to upload the  file at the Skin section of the Profile page on Minecraft.net (found here) before the skin is applied. Other players in multiplayer can also see this skin. Note that players cannot see the custom skin if they are not logged in or when playing offline.

Official Minecraft Skin templates
Minecraft Help Center Article

Other Templates
deadmau5's skin is located here.

The Java Edition 1.8 templates can be used for pre-1.8 skins on the skin server, but only the top half of the image is used. (i.e. not the individual arms and legs on the bottom and no overlay on any layer except the head) If the skin is for Java Edition 1.7, the old system must be used exactly.

To 6 significant figures, there are 3.06013 × 1023,581 possible unique Minecraft skins.