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"Frame" redirects here. For other uses, see Frame (disambiguation).

An item frame is an entity[JE only] or block entity[BE only] that displays the item or block that is inside it.

A glow item frame keeps itself and the item inside it illuminated, even in the dark.

Obtaining[]

Breaking[]

In Java Edition, an empty item frame can be broken simply by punching it. If the item frame contains an item, punching it drops the item, leaving the frame on the wall.

Because item frames are entities in Java Edition, they can be broken in Adventure mode. They will also be targeted by commands using the @e selector.‌[Java Edition only]

Natural generation[]

An item frame containing a pair of elytra generates in each end ship.

BoatElytra

An item frame naturally generating in an end ship.

Crafting[]

Name Ingredients Crafting recipe
Item Frame Stick +
Leather

Glow Item Frame Glow Ink Sac +
Item Frame


Trading[]

Expert-level cartographer villagers have a chance to sell an item frame for 7 emeralds.

Usage[]

Item display[]

Item Frame (map filled partial)

Item frame with partially filled map

Item frames can be placed on the sides of cactus blocks, pressure plates, fences, trees, slabs, cobblestone walls, chests, doors, and all solid blocks. They can also be placed on the top and bottom of these blocks. To place on chests and doors, the player needs to be sneaking. As item frames are an entity, multiple item frames can occupy the same block, although on different faces. It also allows non-solid blocks to occupy the same space.‌[Java Edition only]

Players can place items in the frame by using the item. If a map is placed in an item frame, it enlarges to show the map in the size of a full block, with the item frame's location displayed as a green pointer on the map, pointing in the direction the item frame is facing. If this is done in the Nether, the green cursor spins around similar to the white cursor (players). If an item in an item frame has been renamed using an anvil, it displays its custom name when the cursor is over the item frame. If the player places a block inside the frame, it is displayed in miniature half in, half out of the block. This can be most notably seen on stairs or slabs.

Pick block may be used on item frames by players in creative mode only, the control has no effect for players in Survival or Adventure mode. When the item frame is displaying an item, pick block picks the displayed item instead of the item frame.

Item frames can be placed on the lid of a shulker box that is positioned horizontally, but pop off when the lid is opened.‌[Java Edition only]

Rotation[]

The displayed item can then be rotated by right-clicking the frame. Items displayed in the item frame can turn 45° diagonally, with a total of 8 possibilities (90° and 4 possibilities if it is a map), and the frame outputs a redstone signal depending on the rotation phase that can be interpreted by a redstone comparator (note that this rotation value is separate from the clock or compass rotation). As long as the frame remains placed, it remembers the orientation of the last item it held, and uses it for the next item it holds.‌[Java Edition only]

Glow item frames[]

Item Frames Comparison

Comparison between ordinary item frame and glow item frame in the dark.

When an item is placed inside a glow item frame, it appears to glow, even though it does not emit any light level.

Sounds[]

Item frames and glow item frames share the same sounds.

Generic[]

Bedrock Edition:

SoundSourceDescriptionResource locationVolumePitch
BlocksOnce the block has brokenblock.itemframe.break1.00.8-1.0
BlocksWhen the block is placedblock.itemframe.place1.00.8-1.0
BlocksWhile the block is in the process of being brokenhit.wood0.220.5

Unique[]

Java Edition:

SoundSubtitlesSourceDescriptionResource locationTranslation keyVolumePitchAttenuation
distance
Item Frame fillsFriendly CreaturesWhen an item is placed in an item frameentity.item_frame.add_itemsubtitles.entity.item_frame.add_item1.01.016
Glow Item Frame fillsFriendly CreaturesWhen an item is placed in a glow item frameentity.glow_item_frame.add_itemsubtitles.entity.glow_item_frame.add_item1.01.016
Item Frame breaks[sound 1]Friendly CreaturesWhen an item frame is broken or pops offentity.item_frame.breaksubtitles.entity.item_frame.break1.01.016
Glow Item Frame breaks[sound 1]Friendly CreaturesWhen a glow item frame is broken or pops offentity.glow_item_frame.breaksubtitles.entity.glow_item_frame.break1.01.016
Item Frame placedFriendly CreaturesWhen an item frame is placedentity.item_frame.placesubtitles.entity.item_frame.place1.01.016
Glow Item Frame placedFriendly CreaturesWhen a glow item frame is placedentity.glow_item_frame.placesubtitles.entity.glow_item_frame.place1.01.016
Item Frame emptiesFriendly CreaturesWhen an item is removed from an item frameentity.item_frame.remove_itemsubtitles.entity.item_frame.remove_item1.01.016
Glow Item Frame emptiesFriendly CreaturesWhen an item is removed from a glow item frameentity.glow_item_frame.remove_itemsubtitles.entity.glow_item_frame.remove_item1.01.016
Item Frame clicksFriendly CreaturesWhen an item is rotated in an item frameentity.item_frame.rotate_itemsubtitles.entity.item_frame.rotate_item1.01.016
Glow Item Frame clicksFriendly CreaturesWhen an item is rotated in an item frameentity.glow_item_frame.rotate_itemsubtitles.entity.glow_item_frame.rotate_item1.01.016
  1. a b MC-194948

Bedrock Edition:

SoundSourceDescriptionResource locationVolumePitch
BlocksWhen an item is placed in an item frameblock.itemframe.add_item1.01.0
BlocksWhen an item is removed from an item frameblock.itemframe.remove_item1.01.0
BlocksWhen an item is rotated in an item frameblock.itemframe.rotate_item1.01.0

Achievements[]

Icon Achievement In-game description Actual requirements (if different) Gamerscore earned Trophy type (PS4)
PS4 Other
Map RoomPlace 9 fully explored, adjacent map items into 9 item frames in a 3 by 3 square.The frames have to be on a wall, not the floor.40GSilver

Data values[]

ID[]

Java Edition:

ItemIdentifierFormTranslation key
Item Frameitem_frameItemitem.minecraft.item_frame
Glow Item Frameglow_item_frameItemitem.minecraft.glow_item_frame
EntityIdentifierTranslation key
Item Frameitem_frameentity.minecraft.item_frame
Glow Item Frameglow_item_frameentity.minecraft.glow_item_frame

Bedrock Edition:

Item FrameIdentifierNumeric ID FormItem ID[i 1]Translation key
Itemframe513Itemitem.frame.name
Blockframe199Block & Ungiveable Item[i 2]item.frame
Itemglow_frame623Itemitem.glow_frame.name
Blockglow_frame594Block & Ungiveable Item[i 2]item.glow_frame
  1. ID of block's direct item form, which is used in savegame files and addons.
  2. a b Unavailable with /give command
NameSavegame ID
Block entityItemFrame
Block entityGlowItemFrame

Block states[]

See also: Block states

Bedrock Edition
Item Frame:

NameMetadata Bits Default value Allowed valuesValues for
Metadata Bits
Description
facing_direction0x1
0x2
0 50East facing item frame
41West facing item frame
32South facing item frame
23North facing item frame
1UnsupportedUp facing item frame
0UnsupportedDown facing item frame
item_frame_map_bit0x4falsefalse
true
0
1
If this item frame contains a map.
item_frame_photo_bitNot Supportedfalsefalse
true
UnsupportedIf this item frame contains a photo.

Glow Item Frame:

NameMetadata Bits Default value Allowed valuesValues for
Metadata Bits
Description
facing_directionNot Supported0 5UnsupportedEast facing item frame
4UnsupportedWest facing item frame
3UnsupportedSouth facing item frame
2UnsupportedNorth facing item frame
1UnsupportedUp facing item frame
0UnsupportedDown facing item frame
item_frame_map_bitNot Supportedfalsefalse
true
UnsupportedIf this item frame contains a map.
item_frame_photo_bitNot Supportedfalsefalse
true
UnsupportedIf this item frame contains a photo.


Item data[]

Java Edition:

Main article: Player.dat format
  •  tag tag: The item's tag tag.
    •  EntityTag: Stores entity data that is applied to the entity when created.

Unlike spawn eggs, cannot change the type of entity created using the id tag. Data that item frames do not normally use (see below) has no effect.

Entity data[]

Main article: Entity format

In Java Edition, item frames have entity data that define various properties of the entity.

  • Entity data
      • Tags common to all entities
    • Tags common to all hangables
    •  Fixed: 1 or 0 (true/false) - true to prevent it from dropping if it has no support block, being moved (e.g. by pistons), taking damage (except from creative players), and placing an item in it, removing its item, or rotating it.
    •  Invisible: 1 or 0 (true/false) - Whether the item frame is invisible. The contained item or map remains visible.
    •  Item: The item, without the slot tag. If the item frame is empty, this tag does not exist.
      • Tags common to all items
    •  ItemDropChance: The chance for the item to drop when the item frame breaks. 1.0 by default.
    •  ItemRotation: The number of times the item has been rotated 45 degrees clockwise.

Block data[]

In Bedrock Edition, an item frame has a block entity associated with it that holds additional data about the block.

See Bedrock Edition level format/Block entity format.

Video[]

History[]

Java Edition
August 15, 2012Item Frame (pre-release) Dinnerbone showed the first image of item frames.
August 15, 2012Item Frame (item) (pre-release) Dinnerbone showed item frame in item form.
August 15, 2012Item Frame (pre-release 2) Jeb showed the item frames with new model.
August 16, 2012Item Frame (item) JE1 BE1 Dinnerbone showed the item frame in item form with new texture.
1.4.212w34aItem Frame JE1 BE1 Item Frame (item) JE1 BE1 Added item frames.
There is currently a bug where attempting to place an item frame in multiplayer causes an internal server error, as well as other bugs.
12w34bThe multiplayer item frame bug has been fixed.
12w38aItem frames no longer despawn when the player moves 20 blocks away.
1.7.213w36aItems renamed using an anvil now display their name when looked at up close.
13w38aMaps placed in an item frame now cover the whole block face, allowing seamless tiling of adjacent maps. This makes undiscovered areas of maps invisible.
13w43aItem Frame (map) JE1 BE1 Incomplete maps placed in item frames now display the item frame texture underneath.
1.814w04aItems and blocks displayed in the item frame now rotate 45 degrees when rotated instead of 90 degrees, and a comparator outputs a redstone signal depending on the rotation phase.
14w10aMultiple item frames can no longer be placed on the same block face.
1.915w41aAn item frame now generates in the treasure room of end ships, above the shulker that guards the treasure. It holds elytra.
15w49aItem frames are no longer destroyed by lightning bolts.
15w50aAdded sounds to item frames: entity.itemframe.add_item, entity.itemframe.break, entity.itemframe.place, entity.itemframe.remove_item, and entity.itemframe.rotate_item.
1.1116w32aThe entity ID of item frames has been changed from ItemFrame to item_frame.
1.1317w47aPrior to The Flattening, this item's numeral ID was 389.
17w50aItem frames can now be put on floors and ceilings.
1.1418w43aItem Frame JE2 BE2 Item Frame (map) JE2 BE2 Item Frame (item) JE2 BE2 The textures of item frames have been changed.
19w11aItem frames are now sold by cartographer villagers.
1.1519w38aItem Frame 19w38a Item Frame Map 19w38a Item frames now appear dark, same as suffocating mobs.[1]
19w39aItem frames are now colored correctly.
1.1620w10aThe NBT Invisible and Fixed have been added to item frames.
1.1721w03aGlow Item Frame JE1 BE3 Glow Item Frame (map) JE1 BE3 Glow Item Frame (item) JE1 BE1 Added glow item frames.
21w10aAdded new subtitles for glow item frames.
1.1821w41aItem Frame (item) JE3 Glow Item Frame (item) JE2 The textures of item frames and glow item frames as item have been changed.
1.1922w15aItem frames now adjusts its hitbox to account for the larger size of a framed map.
Pre-release 3Reverted the change in 22w15a.
Pocket Edition Alpha
v0.14.0build 1Item Frame JE1 BE1 Item Frame (map) JE1 BE1 Item Frame (item) JE1 BE1 Added item frames.
Item frames are considered as a block entity instead of an entity.[2]
Pocket Edition
1.0.0alpha 0.17.0.1An item frame containing elytra now generates in end city ships.
Bedrock Edition
1.10.0beta 1.10.0.3Item Frame JE2 BE2 Item Frame (map) JE2 BE2 Item Frame (item) JE2 BE2 The textures of item frames have been changed.
1.11.0beta 1.11.0.4Item frames can now be bought from cartographer villagers.
1.13.0beta 1.13.0.9Item frames can now be placed on the top and bottom of blocks.
1.16.0beta 1.16.0.57Trading has been changed, item frames are now offered by expert-level cartographer villager.
Caves & Cliffs (experimental)beta 1.16.210.59Item Frame Item Frame (map) JE2 BE2 Glow Item Frame (item) JE1 BE1 Added glow item frames.
Has the default item frame block texture.
beta 1.16.210.60Temporarily removed glow item frames due to a crash.
beta 1.16.220.50Item Frame JE2 BE2 Item Frame (map) JE2 BE2 Glow Item Frame (item) JE1 BE1 Re-added glow item frames.
beta 1.16.220.52Glow Item Frame BE2 Glow Item Frame (map) BE2 Glow Item Frame block texture uses update block texture due to a bug.
1.17.0beta 1.16.230.52Item Frame Item Frame (map) JE2 BE2 The glow item frame block textures have been reverted back to the previous one.
beta 1.17.0.50Glow Item Frame JE1 BE3 Glow Item Frame (map) JE1 BE3 The textures of glow item frames have been changed to match Java Edition.
Now produces redstone signals.
beta 1.17.0.52Maps now glow in glow item frames.
Glow Item Frames are no longer available only through Experimental Gameplay.
1.18.10beta 1.18.10.20Item Frame (item) JE3 Glow Item Frame (item) JE2 The textures of item frames and glow item frames as item have been changed.
Legacy Console Edition
TU9CU1 1.0 Patch 11.0.1Item Frame LCE1 Item Frame (item) JE1 BE1 Added item frames.
TU11The limit for item frames in a world has been increased. A message is now displayed when the maximum number of item frames are reached.
TU12Item Frame JE1 BE1 The entity texture of item frames has been changed.
TU31CU19 1.22 Patch 3Items and blocks displayed in the item frame now rotate 45 degrees when rotated instead of 90 degrees, and a comparator now outputs a redstone signal depending on the rotation phase.
TU43CU33 1.36 Patch 13Added sounds for item frames.
TU56CU47 1.55 Patch 261.0.6If the item in the item frame has a name (from an anvil) it now shows as if there is a name tag on the item frame.
1.90 Item Frame JE2 BE2 Item Frame (map) JE2 BE2 Item Frame (item) JE2 BE2 The textures of item frames have been changed.
New Nintendo 3DS Edition
0.1.0Item Frame JE1 BE1 Item Frame (map) JE1 BE1 Item Frame (item) JE1 BE1 Added item frames.

Issues[]

Issues relating to "Item Frame" are maintained on the bug tracker. Report issues there.

Trivia[]

  • The item frame is based upon a suggestion on Reddit, like the ender chest and flower pot.[3]
  • The item frame is the only entity to reference a block model.‌[JE only] Because of this, the texture of the frame border is the same as the birch planks texture.
  • Item frame is the only placeable item that can interfere with other non-full block entities.
  • Due to the way layer textures are displayed in Minecraft, maps float on item frames, similar to how icons float on the map itself.

Gallery[]

Renders[]

Screenshots[]

Development images[]

See also[]

References[]

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