To get custom heads in Minecraft, you use commands in Java Edition to summon heads with specific texture codes, or you install add-ons in Bedrock Edition. The custom heads Minecraft players use most often come from online databases where you copy a texture value and paste it into a give command.
What you need to know before you start
The biggest difference between Java and Bedrock editions is how custom heads work. In Java Edition, you have full control through commands, you can grab any player's head by name or apply any texture value you find online. Bedrock Edition does not natively support custom heads through direct in-game commands in the same way as Java Edition, so your options there are limited to marketplace content or third-party add-ons. If you play on Java, you get the complete experience with thousands of heads available. If you play on Bedrock, you need to work around the system with add-ons.
Get custom heads with commands in java edition
The fastest way to get a custom head in Java Edition is to use the give command with a player's name. This works for any player who has joined your server or world, letting you collect heads of friends, enemies, or even yourself. The command structure is straightforward:
- Open your chat window by pressing the slash key.
- Type the give command with your username and the player's name.
- Press enter to receive the head in your inventory.
For example, if you want a head from a player named Steve, you would use the command format with the SkullOwner tag. This gives you a head that displays Steve's exact skin texture. If you want a head that looks like a mob or a custom design, you need to use a texture value code instead.
Find and use codes from online head databases
Online head databases are the best source for decorative heads that don't come from real players. Sites like minecraft-heads.com host thousands of heads organized by category, animals, monsters, food, blocks, and more. Each head has a unique texture value code that tells the game exactly what skin to display. To use these codes:
- Browse the database and find a head you like.
- Copy the Value code associated with that head.
- Paste the code into the give command using the SkullOwner tag with the texture value.
This method lets you spawn any decorative head in your world, from a dragon to a pumpkin with a face. The texture value is a long string of characters that the game reads to render the custom skin. Once you paste it into the command and press enter, the head appears in your inventory ready to place or wear.
How to get custom heads in bedrock edition
Bedrock Edition players face a different situation. Since Bedrock lacks native commands for custom heads, you cannot use the same give command with texture values. The verified fact is that Bedrock does not support custom heads through direct in-game commands the way Java does. Your alternative is to use the Minecraft Marketplace, where you can find add-ons that add custom head functionality. One popular option is the Custom Player Heads add-on, which lets you obtain player heads through gameplay mechanics rather than commands. These add-ons typically require you to download them from a trusted source and then activate them in your world settings. Once installed, you can collect heads from players you defeat in PvP or from mobs you kill, depending on the add-on's features. If you are on Java Edition, you can get a player head in Minecraft directly through commands instead. This approach works within Bedrock's limitations while still giving you access to custom heads for decoration.
