How To Use The Testfor Command Wiki Guide

This Minecraft tutorial explains how to use the /testfor command with screenshots and step-by-step instructions.

You can test for a certain target in the game using the /testfor command in Minecraft.

TIP: Starting in Minecraft Java Edition (PC/Mac) 1.13, the /testfor command was removed from the Java Edition version of the game.

Let’s explore how to use this cheat (game command).

Requirements

To run game commands in Minecraft, you have to turn cheats on in your world.

TestFor Command

TestFor Command in Minecraft Java Edition (PC/Mac)

In Minecraft Java Edition (PC/Mac) 1.8, 1.9, 1.10, 1.11 and 1.12, the syntax to test for a target in the game is:

/testfor <player> [dataTag]

Definitions

• player is the name of a player (or a target selector) to test for.
• dataTag is optional. It is a data tag to test for, as it relates to player. It is a compound NBT tag such as {playerGameType:0}, {foodLevel:20} or {XpLevel:20}. (See NBT tags for player.)

Examples

Example in Java Edition (PC/Mac) 1.11 and 1.12

To test if there are any players within a 10 block radius (of where the command is run) in Minecraft 1.11 and 1.12:

/testfor @a[r=10]

To test for all players in the game:

/testfor @a

To test if there are mooshrooms within a 50 block radius:

/testfor @e[type=mooshroom,r=50]

To test if the nearest player has an experience level of 20:

/testfor @p {XpLevel:20}

Example in Java Edition (PC/Mac) 1.10

To test if there are mooshrooms within a 50 block radius in Minecraft 1.10:

/testfor @e[type=MushroomCow,r=50]

How to Enter the Command

1. Open the Chat Window

The easiest way to run a command in Minecraft is within the chat window. The game control to open the chat window depends on the version of Minecraft:

• For Java Edition (PC/Mac), press the T key to open the chat window.
• For Pocket Edition (PE), tap on the chat button  at the top of the screen.
• For Xbox One, press the D-Pad (right)  on the controller.
• For PS4, press the D-Pad (right)  on the controller.
• For Nintendo Switch, press the right arrow button  on the controller.
• For Windows 10 Edition, press the T key to open the chat window.
• For Education Edition, press the T key to open the chat window.

2. Type the Command

We will cover examples of how to use the /testfor command to test which players are within 10 blocks, test if there are mooshrooms within 50 blocks and test if the nearest player is at level 20 experience.

Test if Players are within 10 blocks

In this example, we will test to see if there are any players within a 10 block radius with the following command:

/testfor @a[r=10]

Type the command in the chat window. As you are typing, you will see the command appear in the lower left corner of the game window. Press the Enter key to run the command.

Once the cheat has been entered, the testfor command will check for players nearby.

You will see the message “Found xxx” appear in the lower left corner of the game window where xxx is the name of each player detected within 10 blocks of you. In this example, only ourself, 9Minecraft, was found. There were no other players found within 10 blocks.

Test if Mooshrooms are within 50 blocks

In this example, we will test if there are mooshrooms within a 50 block radius in Minecraft 1.10 with the following command:

/testfor @e[type=MushroomCow,r=50]

Type the command in the chat window and press the Enter key to run the command.

Once the cheat has been entered, the testfor command will check for mooshrooms.

You will see the message “Found Mooshroom” appear in the lower left corner of the game window for each mooshroom found within 50 blocks of you.

Test if Nearest Player is at Level 20 experience

In this example, we will test if the closest player has an experience level of 20 with the following command:

/testfor @p {XpLevel:20}

Type the command in the chat window and press the Enter key to run the command.

Once the cheat has been entered, the testfor command will test the experience level of the nearest player.

You will see the message “Found xxx” appear in the lower left corner where xxx is the name of the player who is the nearest if that player has experience that is exactly level 20. In this example, 9Minecraft was found.

Congratulations, you have learned how to use the /testfor command in Minecraft.