You may have noticed that some players have Minecraft capes, even in fresh new games without mods. You may be wondering, just how did they get a cape and how can I get one too?
The good news is that capes are much easier to get now than they used to be! Every Bedrock Edition player can claim the free Pan Cape just by playing, and Mojang now gives away several new capes every year through login events, Twitch and TikTok drops, and in-person events. This guide covers every way to get a cape in 2026.
Capes have been around for a really long time. In fact they were available even since the game was in its beta! They are a normal part of the game (just like player skins) and it is possible for regular players to get them.
Quick Facts About Capes
- Capes are purely cosmetic and offer no visible advantage to gameplay.
- Capes are given to individual player accounts by the makers of Minecraft as rewards. You cannot craft one or buy one directly in the game.
- Capes have predetermined designs. They are not customizable like skins without the use of mods or plugins.
- If you own an elytra, your cape design also changes how your elytra wings look when you wear them.
- Once a cape is on your account, it works in both Java and Bedrock Edition (for capes released in recent years).
Which Capes Can You Get Right Now?
Two capes are available as of July 2026:
- Pan Cape. Free for all Bedrock Edition players. It has been given out since 2020 and it is the only cape with no time limit. Just sign in to Bedrock Edition with your Microsoft account and check your Dressing Room.
- Moonlight Trail Cape. Given to players who attend the Minecraft Experience: Moonlight Trail event in person. The first stop runs until August 2, 2026 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and the event will travel to more cities after that. After you complete the experience, a cape code is emailed to you within 72 hours.
More capes are always on the way. Mojang has said they are working on a YouTube cape drop, and new capes have released every few months since 2024. Keep an eye on the official Minecraft social accounts so you don’t miss the next one!
How Are New Capes Given Out?
Capes used to be extremely rare. They were provided to people who helped work on the game (such as translators or Mojang/Microsoft employees), and also players who attended conference events like MineCon in person.
That changed in recent years. Mojang now gives out capes in four main ways:
- Login promotions. Sign in to the game during the promotion window and the cape is added automatically. The Common Cape worked this way (sign in to Bedrock with a Microsoft account before May 5, 2026).
- Watching streams on Twitch or TikTok. Watch a participating Minecraft stream for a few minutes during the drop window, then redeem your code. The Home, Menace, Purple Heart, Follower’s, and Builder capes were all earned this way.
- In-person events. Events like TwitchCon and the Minecraft Experience give capes to attendees. The Crafter Cape (TwitchCon Rotterdam 2026) and the Moonlight Trail Cape are recent examples.
- Account rewards. One-time thank-you capes like the Migrator Cape (for moving a Mojang account to a Microsoft account) and the Vanilla Cape (for owning both Java and Bedrock before June 2022).
Every Official Minecraft Cape and How Players Got It
Here is a list of the capes regular players could earn, and whether you can still get them:
| Cape | Year | How players got it | Still available? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pan Cape | 2020 | Free for all Bedrock players | Yes |
| Moonlight Trail | 2026 | Attend the Minecraft Experience: Moonlight Trail event | Yes (touring) |
| MineCon capes | 2011-2016 | Attend MineCon in person | No |
| Migrator | 2022 | Migrate a Mojang account to Microsoft | No |
| Vanilla | 2022 | Own both Java and Bedrock before June 2022 | No |
| Cherry Blossom | 2023 | Participate in the 2023 Mob Vote | No |
| 15th Anniversary | 2024 | Redeem on minecraft.net for the 15th birthday | No |
| Follower’s | 2024 | TikTok drop | No |
| Purple Heart | 2024 | Twitch drop | No |
| Home | 2025 | Twitch drop (Minecraft movie event) | No |
| Menace | 2025 | TikTok drop (Minecraft movie event) | No |
| Yearn | 2025 | Complete Bedrock movie event quests | No |
| Common | 2025-2026 | Sign in to Bedrock with a Microsoft account | No (ended May 5, 2026) |
| Crafter | 2026 | Complete the sticker quest at TwitchCon Rotterdam | No |
| Builder | 2026 | Watch a Twitch or TikTok stream during TwitchCon | No (ended June 2026) |
Missed a drop? Don’t worry. Mojang has released new capes every few months since 2024, so another chance is never far away.
How to Redeem a Cape Code
Capes from Twitch, TikTok, and in-person events come as a code. Here is how to redeem it:
- Go to the redeem page at minecraft.net/redeem.
- Sign in with the Microsoft account you use for Minecraft.
- Paste your code and click Redeem.
- The cape appears in your Dressing Room (Bedrock) or cape selection (Java). Each account can hold one of each cape.
How to Change your Cape
Once your account is given a cape as a reward, you can freely switch between them. Your cape will be visible in every game you play, including single and multi player games.
- Java Edition: Change your cape on the minecraft.net profile page or in the Minecraft Launcher under skin settings.
- Bedrock Edition: Open the Dressing Room, edit your character, and pick your cape from the owned capes section.
One warning for Bedrock players: some Marketplace skin packs have capes painted onto the skin. These are just part of the skin texture and don’t work like real capes, so check before you buy.
Can You Get a Custom Cape with Mods?
If you really want a cape design of your own, mods can be used to get a “fake” cape. Capes made visible by mods typically don’t show up for other players unless they also have the same mod installed.
The most common mod used to get a cape is the OptiFine mod, however a small donation is required. Since so many people use the OptiFine mod, this is a good way to show off a custom cape.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you still get a free cape in Minecraft?
Yes! The Pan Cape is free for all Bedrock Edition players with no time limit. Mojang also runs new cape giveaways several times a year through login events and Twitch or TikTok drops.
What is the rarest cape in Minecraft?
The MineCon capes from 2011 to 2016 are the rarest. Only a few thousand players attended those events in person, and the capes can never be earned again.
Do capes work in both Java and Bedrock Edition?
Capes released in recent years work in both editions once redeemed on your Microsoft account. Some older capes (like MineCon capes) are Java only.
Do capes change your elytra?
Yes. When you equip a cape, your elytra wings take on the cape’s design. Many players collect capes just to customize their elytra!
Can you make your own cape without mods?
No. Official capes have predetermined designs and cannot be customized. Mods like OptiFine let you wear a custom cape, but only players with the same mod can see it.
That concludes our guide on how to get capes in Minecraft! Capes look great gliding around with an elytra or standing next to a glowing beacon, and they are one of the best ways to show off on a server. Looking for more ways to stand out? Check out our list of cool things to build in Minecraft. Did you manage to grab one of the 2026 capes? Leave a comment below!