Bedrock /summon Command: Spawning Entities

Basic Syntax

The /summon command creates entities at a specified location. The syntax is:

/summon <entityType> [x] [y] [z] [spawnEvent] [nameTag]

If no coordinates are given, the entity spawns at the command executor's position.

Spawning Mobs

Hostile Mobs

/summon zombie
/summon skeleton ~ ~2 ~
/summon creeper 100 64 200
/summon wither
/summon ender_dragon
/summon blaze ~ ~ ~5
/summon phantom

Passive Mobs

/summon cow
/summon pig ~ ~ ~
/summon horse
/summon villager_v2
/summon cat
/summon wolf
/summon parrot

Utility Entities

/summon armor_stand
/summon minecart
/summon boat
/summon tnt
/summon lightning_bolt
/summon xp_orb

Spawn Events

Bedrock Edition has a unique feature called spawn events that modify the entity when it is created. Spawn events control things like mob variants, baby versions, and special states:

/summon zombie ~ ~ ~ minecraft:as_baby                    # Baby zombie
/summon villager_v2 ~ ~ ~ minecraft:become_farmer           # Farmer villager
/summon cat ~ ~ ~ minecraft:become_black                    # Black cat
/summon horse ~ ~ ~ minecraft:make_white                    # White horse
/summon sheep ~ ~ ~ minecraft:entity_born                   # Baby sheep
/summon creeper ~ ~ ~ minecraft:become_charged              # Charged creeper

Spawn events are specific to Bedrock Edition. Java Edition uses NBT data instead. The available spawn events can be found in the behavior pack definition files for each entity.

Named Entities

You can give spawned entities a name tag by adding the name as the last parameter:

/summon cow ~ ~ ~ minecraft:entity_born "Bessie"
/summon zombie ~ ~ ~ minecraft:as_baby "Mini Zombie"
/summon armor_stand ~ ~ ~ ~ "Marker"

Named entities will not despawn naturally, similar to using a name tag item on them.

Differences from Java Edition

• Java uses NBT data in curly braces to customize spawned entities. Bedrock cannot use NBT.
• Bedrock uses spawn events (a unique system) instead of NBT for entity variants.
• Entity type IDs may differ. For example, Bedrock uses villager_v2 while Java uses villager.
• Some entities have different IDs: Bedrock uses evocation_illager while Java uses evoker.

Practical Uses

• Testing farms: Summon specific mobs to test farm designs and kill chambers.
• Map making: Place mobs precisely for adventure maps and minigames.
• Boss fights: Summon bosses like the Wither or Ender Dragon for custom challenges.
• Decorations: Use armor stands and boats as decorative elements in builds.
• Village management: Summon villagers with specific professions to populate trading halls.

Tips

• Use /summon with command blocks and redstone for automated spawning systems.
• Summoning too many entities at once can cause lag. Spread spawning over multiple ticks using chain command blocks with delays.
• The entity will face the same direction as the command executor when summoned without rotation parameters.
• Check the Bedrock Wiki for a complete list of spawn events for each entity type.