Minecraft capes

Bedrock Edition designs[]

This section needs expansion. 
You can help by Edition designs expanding it.Instructions: Image of Bedrock Edition Cape Selection Menu (Capes Tab Image)

Character Creator capes

See also: Character Creator

Skin Pack capes

See also: Skin pack

Minecon skin pack capes

Temporary capes

History[]

Update history[edit | edit source]

This information has been compiled as part of the update history project. Some updates may not be included — see here for how to help out!

• patch 5 October 2015 (Update):

  Capes no longer detach from the player model while wearing the colonist’s dress top, musketeer’s tops, highlander’s tops or the Citharede robe top.

• patch 4 January 2011 (Update):

  Some Hunter animations have been updated to work better with capes.

• patch 19 July 2010 (Update):

  Fixed 3rd Age armour while wearing various capes.

• patch 25 February 2009 (Update):

  Some cloaks were not correctly attached to the player.

• patch 28 October 2008 (Update):

  Human animations have been extensively modified to stop players appearing to glide around. You should also notice less ‘clipping’ with items like capes and armour when performing various actions or using emotes.

• update 28 October 2008 (Update):

  A large number of sound effects and changes to sound effects have been added, especially to capes and the skillcape emotes.

• update 8 December 2001 (Update):
  • Dyeable capes have been added.

Java vs. Bedrock Editions

Minecraft Java and Bedrock Editions differ significantly. When it comes to capes, each one has its pros and cons. While more caped skins are available online for the Bedrock Edition, Java allows more cape customization options. More mods are available for Java, and they are generally easier to install. Plus, as mentioned in previous sections, Java Edition players can now receive a free cape for migrating their Mojang account to Microsoft account. The physics are different, too. Surprisingly, an older Java Edition released in 2011 offers more realistic cape physics. The cape can move freely in all directions, while in Bedrock, it can only move up and down. In other words, if a cape is truly important for you, Minecraft Java Edition is a better option.

How to Get a Cape in Minecraft

Minecraft players can obtain capes both for money and free. In this section, we’ll share three different methods of acquiring one.

Migrate Your Account

Recently, Minecraft developers issued a notice for Java Edition players. All Mojang accounts have to be migrated to Microsoft accounts. This requirement is related to safety reasons and is mandatory, though the exact date of the migration period end is yet unknown. If a player fails to move the account, they won’t be able to play the Java Edition anymore. Thankfully, this process doesn’t change anything about the game. Furthermore, every player gets a free cape for their efforts. Here’s how to move your Mojang account to Microsoft:

1. Run Minecraft Launcher or log in to Minecraft.net with your Mojang account.
2. You should see an invitation to migrate. Click it.
3. Create a new Microsoft account or sign in with an existing one.
4. Create an Xbox.com account. There’s no need to own an Xbox to do this.
5. Confirm the migration of your Mojang account.
6. When you relaunch the game, a new cape should appear in your inventory.

Buy Minecraft Skins

The account migration requirement only relates to Minecraft Java Edition. Thus, you can’t obtain a free cape if you play Minecraft Bedrock Edition. However, you can purchase or download a free skin with a cape. Follow the steps below to do this:

1. Visit Minecraft Marketplace or any other site you prefer and browse for the skin you like. Download it to your device.
2. Log in to Minecraft.net and click “Preferences,” located in the upper-left corner of your screen.
3. You should now see your current Minecraft skin. Click “Choose File,” located to the right from it.
4. Select your .png skin file and upload it.
5. Your new skin’s name should appear to the right from the “Choose File” button. Click the “Upload” button next to it.
6. The website will refresh, and your character will appear dressed in the new skin. When you launch the game, the character will wear a cape (or any other skin you uploaded.)

Use Mods

Although players can get a free cape in Minecraft Java Edition, this game version is quite limited when it comes to skin selection. You can get various capes using mods, but other players will only see them if they have the same mod. If you want to obtain a cape for personal reasons rather than to show off, though, it’s worth a shot. Here are some of the best mods allowing you to wear a cape in Minecraft Java:

1. Advanced Cape Mod. Minecraft Forge is required for installation. To set a cape, press the “C” key and enter the URL of your desired cape. Any URL will work as long as it ends with “.png.” You can also add custom capes.
2. Optifine Mod. The main objective of this mod is game optimization and FPS boost. Players can also add a cape to their skin. Other players won’t see it, but this option is great for streaming.

Xbox 360 Avatar capes[]

These capes are available for your Xbox 360 Avatar as additional cosmetic item.

Obtaining[]

Minecraft.net cape selection menu

Currently, the only obtainable cape in Java Edition is the migrator cape, which comes from migrating a Mojang account to a Microsoft account. The rest cannot be obtained. There are also various mods like Optifine that allow players to obtain one, only visible to that player (or in some cases, other users of that mod). Only official capes are listed in this article.

MINECON capes before Minecon Earth 2017 were obtained by attending or buying a ticket to the year’s MINECON. Minecraft events from 2017 and onward are done via livestream. A cape celebrating Minecon Live 2019 was available in Bedrock Edition to promote the character customizer, though it was not a reward for those who watched the event.

In Bedrock Edition of the game, some skins from various skin packs include capes.

Players of Bedrock Edition can equip or unequip certain capes for their skin via the Character Creator.

On May 12, 2020, Mojang disabled all unused MINECON cape codes.

FAQ

Can I craft a cape in Minecraft?

Yes. Numerous sites online allow players to create a custom cape and download it for free. One of these sites is Minecraftcapes.net. With the cape editor tool, you can make a cape with any design in a couple of minutes. Follow the instruction below:

1. Click the large red rectangle to choose a color.

2. Left-click anywhere on the cape template to color that area. You can also hold the left click while moving your mouse to color the required area quicker.

3. Right-click to erase the required area.

4. Mix colors and draw patterns as you wish. Once done, click “Download.”

5. Upload your custom cape to Minecraft.net to apply the skin.

Some mods, such as Optifine for Minecraft Java Edition, also have a cape editor.

Is there a method I can use to get a free cape?

While you can purchase a pre-made caped skin, all methods of obtaining a cape in Minecraft described in previous sections are free. Java Edition players can get a free cape for migrating their Mojang account. Both Java and Bedrock Edition players can create custom cape designs and upload them to Minecraft.net, cost-free. Most mods also don’t require players to pay anything to use them. In other words, a cape in Minecraft isn’t some kind of lavish piece available only for nobles.

Cloaks[edit | edit source]

Installation:

Before we start, the first thing you will need is a file archive program, two popular programs for this on Windows are WinRAR and 7-Zip.

When we mention the Minecraft folder on your computer, this will mean the following folder location:
Depending on what operating system you are using, it will be in one of these places:

• Windows 7/8: /Users/Your Computer Username/AppData/Roaming/.minecraft
• Windows XP/Vista: /Documents and Settings/Your Computer Username/Application Data/.minecraft
• Linux: /home/Your Computer Username/.minecraft
• Mac OS X: ~/Library/Application Support/minecraft

For installing MCCapes in Minecraft 1.6 and above:

In these instructions, we will use 1.6.2 as the example version, but these instructions also apply to later versions of Minecraft. It is assumed that you have already used the new launcher to play Minecraft at least once and you have anunmodified version of Minecraft installed that you wish to mod.

In your Minecraft folder, you need to open the versions folder.

In your versions folder, there should be a folder called the version name of Minecraft you want to mod. Make a copy of this folder including its contents and name it something such as “1.6.2 MCCapes”.

Open your newly created folder and you should see two files, one called “1.6.2” and the other called “1.6.2.json“. You need to rename both of these files to the exact same name as you gave to the folder. In our case we would then be left with the two files named “1.6.2 MCCapes” and “1.6.2 MCCapes.json“.

Next, open the “1.6.2 MCCapes.json” file with a text editor such as Notepad. With this file open, near the beginning of the text you should see 1.6.2, you also need to change this to same name as the file, e.g. it should say “id”: “1.6.2 MCCapes”. Save the file and close the text editor.

Open your 1.6.2 MCCapes file with your file archive program and delete the folder called META-INF – if you do not delete this folder, Minecraft will not work with the mod installed and you will get a black screen when you try to start the game.

Finally, use your file archive program to open the MCCapes zip file you have downloaded. Depending on the version of the mod you have downloaded, there can be a different number of files in this zip file but you need to copy and paste/hold and drag ALL of these files into your 1.6.2 MCCapes file which is open in another window of your file archive program.

Open the Minecraft launcher and you should see that “Version” shows release 1.6.2 MCCapes. Everything should now be working with the mod installed. You can now open Minecraft and you’ll have your cape!

For installing MCCapes in Minecraft 1.5.2 and below:

In your Minecraft folder, you need to open the bin folder.

Inside the bin folder, you need to open your minecraft.jar file with the file archive program you have installed. This file may be called minecraft without the .jar file extension depending on your operating system settings.

With your minecraft.jar file opened, you need to first delete the folder called META-INF – if you do not delete this folder, Minecraft will not work with the mod installed and you will get a black screen when you try to start the game.

Next, use your file archive program to open the MCCapes zip file you have downloaded. Depending on the version of the mod you have downloaded, there can be a different number of files in this zip file but you need to copy and paste/hold and drag ALL of these files into your minecraft.jar file which is open in another window of your file archive program.

Everything should now be working with the mod installed. You can now open Minecraft the way you usually do and you’ll have your cape!

Unused capes[]

Minecon 2011

These capes were featured in a poll where MINECON 2011 attendees could vote for their cape of choice. The red creeper cape won MINECON 2011, and the blue cape with the pickaxe was for MINECON 2012. These following capes are still unused though may appear in the future.

Minecon 2011 Cloak Candidates

These capes are recreated and do not have original colors. The blue cape is the closest one to the original.

Bedrock Edition skin pack capes

These capes are from Bedrock edition skin packs and are currently not used in any skin pack.

These capes have original colors.

How do you get Minecraft capes?

Migrating accounts:

“After you’ve moved, everything you love about Java will still be there. You’ll still be able to create and use mods and skins (while keeping your existing ones, of course), as well as play with friends on Java servers (regardless of version). You’ll also keep your Minecraft Java username, and new players will still get to choose their Minecraft username. The only difference? You’ll receive a cool reward once you’ve logged in with your Microsoft account: a special cape!”

Downloading mods:

You can get one of the capes in the game, or rather any cape you can imagine, using mods such as the Advanced Capes. However, other players you meet on multiplayer Minecraft servers might not be able to see your cape unless they also have the same mods installed. The only way to get capes that everyone can see is by being given official capes from Mojang.

Purchasing Skin Packs:

In the bedrock edition of Minecraft, several skin packs contain capes. To get a cape in that edition players will have to purchase those skin packs and can equip or unequip certain capes for their skin via the Character Creator. A few examples of skin pack capes are as follows:

Minecon:

Every year, MineCon activities were the only way to gain a new limit. There were official events organized by Minecraft that took place throughout the year. Players would have to sign up for the event and ensure that their tickets have been redeemed. Only then a Cape was then awarded for their inclusion in the event. All events from 2017 onwards were conducted online, and no reward for participation was awarded; on May 12, 2020, Mojang has disabled all unused MINECON Cape codes. Here are some of the MINECON capes from the past.

By innovating a potential concept:

People in the past have been awarded capes for giving ideas which were later incorporated into Minecraft. A great example is Reddit user u/billyk_ who was given a personal turtle cape for suggesting that turtles be added to Minecraft.