Scatter all players around 0 0
/spreadplayers 0 0 50 500 false @aEvery player lands at least 50 blocks from the others, up to 500 blocks from the center.
/spreadplayers command in Minecraft
The /spreadplayers command teleports players or other entities to random spots on the surface, around a center and with a minimum gap between them. It is the standard start of a battle royale, a UHC or a hide and seek game, and it can keep teams together.
Syntax
/spreadplayers <center> <spreadDistance> <maxRange> (<respectTeams>|under)| Argument | Expects | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| center | Position (x z) | X Z center of the area, e.g. 0 0, or ~ ~ for your own position. |
| spreadDistance | Numberat least 0 | Minimum distance in blocks between two targets, or between two teams. |
| maxRange | Numberat least 1 | Maximum distance from the center in blocks, at least 1. Keep it well above spreadDistance. |
| respectTeams | true / false | true keeps members of the same team together; false spreads every target on its own. |
| targets | Entity selectorone or several | Entities to spread: @a for all players, @a[team=red] for one team, or @e[type=minecraft:cow] for mobs. |
| maxHeight | Whole number | Highest Y used for landing, after under. Needed in the Nether to stay below the bedrock roof. |
All 2 forms
- /spreadplayers <center> <spreadDistance> <maxRange> <respectTeams> <targets>
- /spreadplayers <center> <spreadDistance> <maxRange> under <maxHeight> <respectTeams> <targets>
Examples
Keep teams together
/spreadplayers ~ ~ 10 100 true @aEach team lands as a group around your position, teams at least 10 blocks apart.
Spread in the Nether below the roof
/spreadplayers 0 0 20 200 under 100 false @aRun in the Nether: every landing spot stays below Y 100.
Build your commandFill in the fields, then copy the command.
Command generatorHow the spread works
Each target lands on the highest block at a random X and Z inside the area. The game tries to respect the minimum distance. If the area is too small for that, it stops with "Could not spread ... entity/entities" and suggests the largest spread distance that would fit, so lower that value or raise the range.
With respectTeams set to true, each team from /team counts as one point and its members land together.
Nether and caves
Without under, the highest block in the Nether is the Bedrock roof, so players end up on top of it. Add under 100 to look for ground below Y 100 instead. The same option helps in a map with a ceiling.
Tips
- Set the arena with /worldborder first, then spread the players inside it.
- It works on mobs too:
@e[type=minecraft:cow]scatters a herd. - The confirmation gives the average distance between targets, useful to tune the values.
- Run it from a Command Block or through /execute to start a round automatically.
✓ Checked in Java Edition 26.3 · updated 2 November 2026
/spreadplayers: FAQ
Why are players spread on top of the Nether roof?
In the Nether the highest block is the bedrock roof. Use the under option with a maximum height, for example under 100.
Can /spreadplayers keep teammates together?
Yes. Set respectTeams to true and every team lands as a group, at least spreadDistance away from the other teams.
How do I use /spreadplayers?
Type it in the chat with cheats on: /spreadplayers <center> <spreadDistance> <maxRange> (<respectTeams>|under).
Who can use /spreadplayers?
Cheats on, or operator level 2.