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This feature is exclusive to Java Edition. 
Crafting Table
This article describes content that may be included in Bedrock Edition. 
This content has appeared in Bedrock Edition 1.20.10 development versions, but the full update containing it has not been released yet.
Blue Beaker BE1
The features on this page are exclusive to Experimental Gameplay in Bedrock Edition. 
These features may be properly added in a future update, but currently require enabling one or more settings in the "Short Sneaking and Crawling" section of the Game Settings menu.
Crawling Steve
Crawling Alex

Crawling is a mechanic[1][2] that prevents the player from suffocating when inside small gaps. Crawling covers a pose that occurs when the player is in an area less than 1.5 blocks high.

Entering crawling

A player cannot crawl when there is no risk of suffocation. Crawling is initiated automatically in any situation that would cause the player's head to intersect a block in such a way that the area underneath the block is less than 1.5 blocks. For example:

  • Closing a trapdoor on the player
  • Closing a fence gate when it is at the same altitude as the player's head
  • Using a piston to push a block into the player
  • Exiting swimming mode in a one-block-high space
  • Exiting elytra mode in a one-block-high space
  • Having a tree grow over a player
  • Throwing an ender pearl into a one block space
  • Having a shulker box push the player down
    • This normally makes the player sneak instead of crawl, but when it is above a slab or a not-full block, then the player crawls.
  • Getting off a pig with a saddle if it's under a one-block-high space
  • Having a boat land on the player's head

In these circumstances, the player automatically switches to a crawling state. When enough space opens up above the player's head, the player automatically exits this state and begins standing again. In the crawling form, the player is reduced to 0.625 blocks tall, or 58 of a block, meaning that they can crawl over blocks 0.375 blocks tall, or 38 blocks tall, the height of a daylight detector.

When crawling, the player travels at sneaking speed. The speed of crawling can be increased with the Swift Sneak enchantment.

Bedrock Edition

In Bedrock Edition, exiting swimming into a one-block-high space results in the swimming animation. The player then falls to the ground and is unable to jump, while moving at sprinting speed and producing block particles.[3][4]

History

Java Edition
1.915w41aWith the advent of elytra, a position similar to crawling becomes possible. The animation is glitched.
1.1318w07aActual swimming is added, which allows the player to access this position easier. The animation is still glitched.
18w20aFixed the animation under opaque solid blocks. The player still visually stands up underneath transparent blocks, though.[5]
18w22aFixed the animation under transparent blocks.[6]
pre5The animation is broken again.
pre6Fixed the animation again.[6]
1.13.118w30aThe animation is broken.
1.1419w14aCrawling is now fixed. Originally an accidental side-effect resulting from swimming, crawling is now an integral feature in the game.[7]
The player now automatically enters crawling mode when they intersect a block.
19w14bOnly the top half of the player is checked for the collision to enter crawling, rather than the whole body.
Pre-Release 4Crawling speed has been reduced.
It is no longer possible to sprint while crawling.
Bedrock Edition
1.12.0?A glitch[verify] in this version where exiting swimming position in a one block results the player still in swimming position that is similar to crawling.[3]
This position also allows the player to float when the position is done mid-air.[8]
1.14.0?It is no longer possible to start swimming in 1-block deep water, which makes accessing the position a bit harder than before.
1.17.10beta 1.17.10.21The player no longer floats with this position mid-air.
Upcoming Bedrock Edition
Short Sneaking and Crawling
(Experimental)
beta 1.20.10.20Added proper crawling behind the "Short Sneaking and Crawling" experimental toggle.
Created new player crawling animation.
Players will now begin crawling when in a 1 block gap, similar to sneaking.
Crawling now has the same speed as sneaking.
Crawling
(Experimental)
beta 1.20.10.23Crawling is now behind the "Crawling" experimental toggle.
Players can now be forced into crawl state while flying.
beta 1.20.20.20Now player gets forced out of crawl when riding.

References

  1. "How Crawling Came to Minecraft" by Henrik Kniberg. Minecraft.net, July 21, 2020
  2. ""I'm sorry Steve. It's for science!""@henrikkniberg on X, April 2, 2019
  3. a b MCPE-46794 — "Players can swim through 1x1 tunnels without water (crawling?)" — resolved as "Works As Intended".
  4. MCPE-48958 — Can swim in the air (not the crawling 1x1 mechanic)
  5. MC-128472
  6. a b MC-129863
  7. "How crawling came to Minecraft" by Henrik Kniberg – minecraft.net, 21 July 2020.
  8. MCPE-48958
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