To get barrier blocks in Minecraft, open your chat window and type the command /give @s barrier, that’s the exact way to add these invisible, solid blocks to your inventory. The catch is that barrier blocks are not in the Creative Inventory menu in either Bedrock or Java Edition, so commands are the only way to obtain them, and you must have cheats enabled in your world for the command to work.
How to get barrier blocks in Minecraft: The exact command
Barrier blocks can only be obtained by using commands, so the first thing you need to do is make sure cheats are enabled in your world. If you’re creating a new world, turn on the “Allow Cheats” option (or its equivalent) before you spawn. If you’re already in an existing world, you can open the pause menu, select “Open to LAN,” and toggle cheats on from there.
Once cheats are active, follow these steps:
- Open the chat window by pressing the “T” key on your keyboard (or the button mapped to chat on your device).
- Type the command exactly as shown:
/give @s barrier - Press Enter to execute the command.
After you press Enter, a single barrier block will appear in your inventory. The @s part of the command targets yourself, so you don’t need to specify a player name, it works for any player who types it.
Getting multiple barrier blocks at once
You don’t have to settle for just one barrier block. To receive a specific quantity, add the desired number after the command, for example, /give @s barrier 64 will give you a full stack. Barrier blocks are stackable up to 64 items per inventory slot, so you can carry a large supply without taking up extra space. If you need more than 64, you can run the command again or increase the number (like /give @s barrier 128) to get two stacks in one go.
What barrier blocks do
Barrier blocks have a unique set of properties that make them useful for builders and map creators. Once placed and no longer held, they become completely invisible, you won’t see them at all unless you’re holding one in your hand. Despite being invisible, they act as solid, impenetrable walls, preventing players, mobs, and other entities from passing through them. This means they function as a physical obstacle without any visual cue.
In Survival mode, barrier blocks cannot be broken by any means, including tools or explosions. They are effectively indestructible in Survival, so you can’t accidentally remove them or have them destroyed by creepers or TNT. Barrier blocks can only be broken by players who are in Creative mode, which gives map makers full control over when and where these barriers exist. They were introduced to Minecraft in version 1.8, so any world or server running that version or later has access to them.
Common uses for barrier blocks
Barrier blocks are commonly used for creating invisible boundaries, adventure map elements, or protecting builds without visible structures. For example, you can place them around a parkour course to prevent players from falling off the edge, or use them to seal off a room that players shouldn’t enter until they’ve completed a quest. They’re also handy for keeping mobs in a specific area during a minigame, or for hiding the edges of a floating island so it looks like it’s hanging in mid-air.
However, there’s a caution about disrupting gameplay: because barrier blocks are invisible, players may run into them unexpectedly and become confused or frustrated. If you’re using them in a map you plan to share, make sure the invisible walls are placed logically so players don’t get stuck or think the game is broken. Always test your layout thoroughly before publishing it, and remember that only Creative mode players can remove them, so if you place one by mistake in a Survival world, you’ll need to switch to Creative to fix it.
