Want to make heads turn as you glide around the world? Or are you looking to level up your look but Armor Trims don’t seem enough? The only solution you need is a cape. It adds a new layer of design to your appearance and also makes your Elytra look better. But, exactly how can you get a cape in Minecraft? Let’s find out!

How to Get a Cape in Minecraft (2024)

Capes work differently in both editions of Minecraft. So, explore our guide thoroughly to learn all you need to know before donning one. 

What is a Cape in Minecraft

A cape is a decorative item in Minecraft that you can wear on top of your in-game skin. Players use capes as a part of their identity even though it doesn't serve any practical purpose. Moreover, wearing a cape also changes the way your Elytra in Minecraft looks.

Often, the Elytra gets a new texture similar to the cape you are wearing. But, other than making you easier to recognize on Minecraft SMP servers, the textured Elytra also doesn't give you any advantage.

Capes in Java and Bedrock

As you might know, the two editions of Minecraft: Java and Bedrock, have a bunch of major differences. But, nothing stands out as much as the differences between the cape system. On one hand, we have Bedrock players with a history of events and a marketplace filled with official capes. All they need to do is select the type of cape they want and there's one waiting for them.

On the other hand, Java players only have a handful of skins. But, even those are only available to players who were there at the right place at the right time. The remaining ones are left behind with capes from the amazing Minecraft community. Some of these can even surpass official capes if you know where to find them.

How to Get Capes in Minecraft Bedrock (without Mods)

Getting a cape is quite an easy task for Minecraft Bedrock players. Some are paid while others are completely free to download and use. Let's explore each of these methods in detail.

Skin Packs

The simplest way to get a cape in Minecraft Bedrock is to download a skin pack that comes with a cape. There are even packs dedicated to only giving you capes. You can find them for various prices and even for free on the official Minecraft marketplace.

But, you don't have to rely upon those options. If you want to venture beyond, there are several free community-based skin packs too. Just make sure the source you choose to get a cape in Minecraft from is a trustworthy one. Here are some two that we recommend:

• Curse Forge
• MCPEDL

Events

Unless you are living under a rock, you must have heard of the Minecon. Now a history, it was the annual Minecraft event where players came together to celebrate the event. Before 2017, the event was ticketed and completely offline which allowed only a select number of layers to join it.

Every player who participated in these offline events got a free cape added to their account. But later, this event went online only to become Minecon Live (now, Minecraft Live) and capes faded away from the picture.

But, all hope isn't lost yet. All the Bedrock players from Minecon Live 2019 got a free cape irrespective of them joining the event. More recently, players who voted for Mob Vote 2023 got a free "Founder's" cape. This confirms that official capes while being less frequent, are here to stay. All you need to do is bookmark our page to stay up to date!

Contribute to Minecraft

Do you have an idea that holds the potential to change the world of Minecraft forever? If you believe in your idea and can convince the developers, your character might get an exclusive cape. At least, that was the case for the players who came up with the ideas for Pigmen (now Piglins) and turtles. The same was the case for a few Minecraft record setters and breakers.

Not to forget, all the employees at Mojang also get their special in-game capes. Due to the circumstances involved, these official capes are some of the rarest ones in the game. But, unless you want to make Minecraft your career, it's time to start pumping out new ideas. A great place to test them would be our Minecraft Discord server which is home to thousands of creative players.

How to Get Capes in Minecraft Java

As you might already know, Java players cannot use the official marketplace to get a cape in Minecraft. Instead, they have to rely upon limited-time events and community creations. Both come with their own set of benefits and limitations. Let's explore how.

Attending Official Events

Much like Minecraft Bedrock, Java players can also get free capes by attending official events like Minecraft Live. The most recent example of the same is the Founder's Cape, a reward for voting in Minecraft Mob Vote 2023. So, even if their vote might have lost to the adorable armadillos, they didn't go home empty-handed.

But, there is no saying which official event or even an anniversary would get you a cape. Your only option is to keep an eye on all Minecraft social channels for major announcements. Plus, most of these campaigns are time-sensitive and you must act quickly enough to claim your free cape.

Best Cape Mods

With the official methods out of the way, it's time to turn to the Minecraft community for help. There are a ton of amazing Minecraft cape mods out there but all of them have one fatal flaw. Unless the other player on the best Minecraft servers has the same mod, they cannot see your cape.

With capes being a decorative item, other players not being able to see it limits its purpose. Luckily, you can fix it in most cases by downloading OptiFine. This is the most popular visual mod in the game that also provides capes for its donators. All the other OptiFine users can view these capes and this option also allows you to support this mod.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Minecraft capes free?

Unless you are purchasing them from the Minecraft marketplace, all the capes for Minecraft are completely free. You can use various free mods to get them in no time.

Does Minecon still give capes?

Unfortunately, Minecon (now known as Minecraft Live) doesn't give capes on every event. But, you can occasionally get them by participating in Mob Vote or watching live streams. So, make sure to keep an eye out.

Do OptiFine capes cost money?

You have to donate to the OptiFine mod to get access to its capes. This cape is visible to all other players using this mod.

Get and Use Capes in Minecraft

With a cape behind your back and a fire in your heart, it’s time to start your big adventure in Minecraft! You can find tall mountains, mysterious mobs, and at times, even some parrots. But, what are you most eager to discover? Share your adventures with our community of players like yourself on Discord.