Controls

Minecraft: Java Edition uses the standard control scheme of mouse and keyboard controls as input. The game cannot be played using only a mouse or only a keyboard using the default control scheme. The controls menu is located in the Options setting.

Non-configurable controls

 * Note:' On many notebook computers and most Macs, "Function keys" (briefly "F-keys") do not operate in their default configuration. You can often get around this by pressing the ' key or sometimes the ' key while you press an F-key. To make F-keys work in macOS, go to the Apple menu → System Preferences → Keyboard and mouse and check the "Use F1, F2 etc. as normal keys". If you choose the first option, you can then use the ' key to switch F-keys back to actions they used to do (e.g. play/pause music, etc). You can also use the F keys by holding the option button while pressing them.''

PC Minecraft uses a combination of the mouse and keyboard for controls, generically known as "mouselook/keymove". Many prior games (notably DOOM, and Quake) have used such a scheme, but those who have not played such a game before, will need some time to practice before they can get around effectively. Such folks should start with creative or peaceful mode until they have the hang of moving and looking around.

Keyboard & Mouse
The keyboard & mouse controls are similar to the Java Edition, with a few differences. These controls can be changed in the Options.

Controller
The controller controls are similar to the Xbox One Edition, with some differences. All of these controls, except the stick controls, can be changed in the Options. If controller has analog sticks, then would be used for moving and  would be used for looking. The blank spaces mean that the function is, by default, left unassigned and it is up to the player to assign a button to it.

Touch
Touch controls for touch screen devices use controls shown on the screen. Split-touch controls displays a crosshair. Split-touch controls can be toggled in the Settings. Tap and hold to break a block with split-touch controls, and tap to place a block. Whatever the crosshairs is over is the block that breaks when held down, or where a block is placed when tapping the screen.

PlayStation Vita Edition
The touchscreen can be used to control the tooltips shown at the bottom of the screen (if enabled).

Wii U Edition
The Wii U Edition can be played on the Wii U Gamepad, Wii U Pro Controller or Wii Classic Controller. It does not support the Wii Remote or Nunchuck.

Nintendo Switch Edition
The Nintendo Switch Edition can be played on a pair of Joy-Con or the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller. It does not support a single Joy-Con.

Legacy Versions
These versions have either been discontinued or long forgotten about. However, their controls are documented here for historical purposes.

Pi Edition
All of the controls in the Pi Edition are fixed and cannot be changed.

Pocket Edition: Xperia PLAY
Note: For Xperia Play owners using the gamepad, while in creative mode, the lowest two rows of items are beneath the screen, and one cannot scroll down to see them. They are still accessible, but it requires either remembering how many times one has to press the directional buttons to access them, or trial-and-error. This will hopefully be fixed soon, but is most prominent in the 4.0 update, as the amount of items has increased, and now sixteen items are hidden. The only way to see them is to turn on the option to use touch controls in the options menu.

Old Keys
Below are the list of keys which are no longer usable in the current versions of the game.

Debugging controls
These controls are used for debugging and were unintentionally left in-game in Beta 1.9 pre-release 4-5 and snapshot 12w08a. The controls below F8 are called the "deadmau5 camera".