Pattern

A pattern describes the block, mixture, gradient, or generated distribution that WorldEdit places during an operation.

The pattern placeholder appears as:

<pattern>

The placeholder is not written literally. Replace it with a valid pattern:

stone
stone,andesite,gravel
70%stone,20%andesite,10%gravel
$wood.rad
#blob5(stone,dirt)

Single Block Patterns

The simplest pattern is a block identifier.

stone
spruce_planks
glowstone

Minecraft blocks can also use the complete namespace:

minecraft:stone

Blocks from another add-on must include their namespace:

my_addon:custom_block

To inspect the identifier of the block you are looking at:

;blockid

Block States

Block states control properties such as orientation, axis, growth, variant, or upper and lower placement.

Use brackets after the block identifier:

block[state=value]

Separate multiple states with commas:

block[state1=value,state2=value]

Example:

stone_slab[stone_slab_type=brick,top_slot_bit=true]

When a state is omitted, WorldEdit uses that block’s default state.

Data Values

Some legacy block variants can use a numeric data value:

block:value

Example:

wool:1

To inspect a block identifier together with its data value:

;blockid -d

Do not combine a data value and block states in the same block pattern:

wool:1[state=value]

For new builds, prefer written block identifiers and explicit states.

Random Mixes

A random mix selects one of several patterns for each affected position.

Separate the entries with commas and do not add spaces:

stone,andesite,gravel

Without weights, each entry has approximately the same probability:

Another example:

spruce_planks,stripped_spruce_wood,mangrove_wood

Weighted Random Mixes

Place a weight before % to control how frequently each entry is selected.

weight%pattern,weight%pattern

Example:

70%stone,20%andesite,10%gravel

Weights can also be relative and do not need to total 100:

7%stone,2%andesite,1%gravel

The 7/2/1 ratio is equivalent to 70/20/10.

Normalize Relative Weights

Use this formula to convert relative weights into percentages:

percentage = individual weight / sum of all weights × 100

For weights 7, 2, and 1:

total weight = 7 + 2 + 1 = 10
stone        = 7 / 10 × 100 = 70%
andesite     = 2 / 10 × 100 = 20%
gravel       = 1 / 10 × 100 = 10%

Each weighted entry can also be another pattern type:

20%*wool,80%stone

In this example:

• 20%*wool uses random valid states for wool.
• 80%stone uses a fixed stone pattern.

Estimated Block Counts

Random selection produces different exact totals each time, but you can calculate an estimate.

estimated blocks = total positions × percentage / 100

For 10,000 positions and the following mix:

70%stone,20%andesite,10%gravel

The estimated distribution is:

For 3,456 positions:

stone       = 3456 × 0.70 = 2419.2
andesite    = 3456 × 0.20 = 691.2
gravel      = 3456 × 0.10 = 345.6

Blocks cannot be fractional, so the actual results are nearby whole numbers and may vary because the pattern is random.

Calculate a Percentage from a Desired Amount

percentage = desired blocks / total positions × 100

For approximately 750 glowstone blocks in 5,000 positions:

750 / 5000 × 100 = 15%

The resulting pattern can be written as:

15%glowstone,85%stone

Random States with *

The * prefix selects random valid states for the specified block identifier.

*block

Example:

*log

Another example:

*oak_stairs

The result depends on the states supported by that block identifier.

*log does not guarantee every wood type because several woods use different identifiers.

Preserve or Change States with ^

The ^ prefix changes a block type or selected states while attempting to preserve the remaining properties.

Change the Type and Preserve States

^acacia_stairs

This can change the material of a stair block while attempting to preserve its orientation and placement.

Change Only Specific States

^[growth=7]

This preserves the current block type and changes only the specified state.

A block type and states can also be combined:

^block[state=value]

Clipboard Pattern

#clipboard uses copied content as a repeating pattern.

#clipboard

Use an offset to move the pattern origin:

#clipboard@[x,y,z]

Example:

#clipboard@[0,1,0]

This shifts the repeating pattern origin one block upward.

Hand Pattern

#hand uses the block held in the main hand.

#hand

The held item must represent a valid block.

The void Pattern

void does not place a block at that position.

void

It becomes useful when combined with other patterns:

stone,void

Approximately half of the positions receive stone, while the other positions remain unchanged.

A weighted version provides more control:

25%glowstone,75%void

void Compared with air

air

air replaces the existing block with air.

void

void skips the position and preserves the existing block.

Gradients

A gradient creates an ordered transition between multiple pattern levels.

Create a Gradient

;gradient create <name> <pattern1> <pattern2> <pattern3>

Example:

;gradient create nature stone dirt grass_block

Spaces separate gradient levels.

Commas create a random mix inside one level:

;gradient create terrain stone,andesite dirt,coarse_dirt grass_block,moss_block

The levels are interpreted as:

stone,andesite
      ↓
dirt,coarse_dirt
      ↓
grass_block,moss_block

Reference a Saved Gradient

A saved gradient uses the $ prefix:

$nature

The $ prefix is required.

Absolute Directions

$nature.north
$nature.south
$nature.east
$nature.west
$nature.up
$nature.down

Relative directions such as left, right, forward, or back are not used here.

Radial Gradient

$nature.rad

A radial gradient moves from the center of the operation toward its outer boundary:

first pattern = center
last pattern  = outer boundary

Example definition:

;gradient create light deepslate_gold_ore spruce_planks glowstone birch_planks

Use it as a radial pattern:

$light.rad

Gradient from the Player

$nature.lit

This uses the player’s position as the gradient reference.

Create a Gradient from a Selection

;gradient create -s <name>

Example:

;gradient create -s wall

WorldEdit reads the selection along its longest side and uses it as the gradient map.

Control the Transition

;gradient create -f <fade> <name> <patterns...>

Example with a hard transition:

;gradient create -f 0 contrast black_concrete white_concrete

Manage Saved Gradients

;gradient list
;gradient delete nature

Creating a gradient with an existing name replaces its previous definition.

Understand Gradient Order

A gradient is ordered, not randomly weighted.

start → A → B → C → D → end

For a radial gradient:

center → A → B → C → D → outer boundary

Reverse the pattern list to reverse the transition:

D C B A

The exact number of blocks assigned to each stage depends on the operation’s shape, size, and direction.

Blob Patterns

A Blob Pattern groups materials into patches instead of selecting every position independently.

#blob<size>(patterns)

Basic example:

#blob5(stone,dirt)

A smaller number creates smaller groups:

#blob2(stone,andesite)

A larger number creates wider groups:

#blob10(stone,andesite)

Blob Patterns can contain weighted entries:

#blob6(70%stone,30%andesite)

Example with several terrain materials:

#blob8(dirt,coarse_dirt,podzol)

Combining Pattern Types

Different pattern types can be nested or mixed.

Random Material with Unchanged Positions

20%glowstone,80%void

Random States with a Fixed Block

25%*log,75%stone

Blob with Multiple Materials

#blob5(stone,andesite,gravel)

Weighted Blob

#blob6(70%stone,20%andesite,10%gravel)

Gradient Made from Random Mixes

;gradient create terrain stone,andesite dirt,coarse_dirt grass_block,moss_block

In this definition:

• Commas create a random mix within one level.
• Spaces separate the ordered gradient levels.

Pattern Picker

The Pattern Picker is an item included in the WorldEdit kit. It lets you select materials without manually typing their identifiers.

To obtain the kit:

;kit

Use the Pattern Picker on a block without crouching to select a pattern.

Crouch and use it on additional blocks to add those materials to the mixture.

The documentation does not define a command pattern identifier such as $picker. In written commands, enter the pattern explicitly.

Minimal Usage Example

This page focuses on pattern syntax rather than the commands that consume patterns. The following example only shows where the pattern argument appears:

;set 60%stone,25%andesite,15%gravel

The pattern portion is:

60%stone,25%andesite,15%gravel

The same pattern can be used wherever WorldEdit expects a <pattern> argument.

Common Mistakes

Translating Block Identifiers

Incorrect:

birch_planks_in_spanish

Correct:

birch_planks

Confusing Logs and Wood Blocks

oak_log
oak_wood
stripped_oak_log
stripped_oak_wood

Inspect the exact block identifier when necessary:

;blockid

Confusing void with air

air  = replaces the current block with air
void = leaves the current position unchanged

Forgetting $ in a Gradient

Incorrect:

wood.rad

Correct:

$wood.rad

Adding Spaces Inside a Random Mix

Avoid:

stone, andesite, gravel

Use:

stone,andesite,gravel

Confusing Commas and Spaces in Gradients

stone,andesite dirt,coarse_dirt grass_block

• Commas mix patterns inside one level.
• Spaces separate different gradient levels.

Assuming the Pattern Picker Has an Identifier

No documented pattern identifier such as $picker is available for written commands.

Quick Reference

Reusable Templates

<block>

<block1>,<block2>,<block3>

<weight>%<block1>,<weight>%<block2>

*<block>

^<block>[state=value]

#blob<size>(<pattern1>,<pattern2>)

$<name>.rad