- iAdd a skin to check itThe checker looks at size, format, arm model, transparency, and unused areas, and shows the skin on a 3D model.
Drop a Minecraft skin to see it on a 3D model and check that it will work in game. The checker confirms the file is a 64 x 64 PNG, tells you whether it uses the Classic (Steve) or Slim (Alex) arm model so you pick the right one when uploading, and finds see-through pixels on the base layer that would show up as black. It also catches semi-transparent pixels and stray pixels outside the skin layout. One click upgrades old 64 x 32 skins, shrinks HD skins to 64 x 64, fills holes, or cleans unused areas, then you can download the fixed skin. Hover the texture map to see which body part each pixel belongs to. Everything happens in your browser.
How to check a Minecraft skin
- Drop your skin PNG on the left, click Choose skin, or paste it with Ctrl+V.
- Look at the 3D preview. Drag to turn the model, use Front, Back, and Side for set views, and turn off Outer layer to see the base layer underneath.
- Read the checks. Green means fine, orange is a warning, and red will stop the skin from working.
- Use the fix buttons if any appear, then click Download skin.
- Upload it in the Minecraft Launcher under Skins, or on the Minecraft website for Java Edition. In Bedrock, use the Dressing Room's Classic Skins and choose Import. Pick the arm model the checker shows.
Minecraft skin requirements
| Requirement | Java Edition | Bedrock Edition |
|---|---|---|
| File type | PNG | PNG |
| Size | 64 x 64, or legacy 64 x 32 | 64 x 64 or 64 x 32 for imported skins. HD skins only in skin packs |
| Arm model | Classic (4 px) or Slim (3 px), chosen when uploading | Classic or Slim, chosen when importing |
| Base layer transparency | Not supported: drawn solid | Not supported: drawn solid |
| Outer layer transparency | Works best with fully transparent or fully opaque pixels | Supports semi-transparent pixels |
Skin layout
A skin is a flat texture that wraps around six boxes: the head, body, two arms, and two legs. Each box has six faces laid out side by side: the top and bottom along the top edge, then the outer side, front, inner side, and back. The second copy of every box, slightly larger, is the outer layer: the hat, jacket, sleeves, and pants. Turn on Labels under the texture to see where each part is, and hover any pixel for its part and face.
| Part | Base layer starts at | Outer layer starts at | Box size (w x h x d) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Head | 0, 0 | 32, 0 (hat) | 8 x 8 x 8 |
| Body | 16, 16 | 16, 32 (jacket) | 8 x 12 x 4 |
| Right arm | 40, 16 | 40, 32 (sleeve) | 4 x 12 x 4, or 3 wide for Slim |
| Left arm | 32, 48 | 48, 48 (sleeve) | 4 x 12 x 4, or 3 wide for Slim |
| Right leg | 0, 16 | 0, 32 (pants) | 4 x 12 x 4 |
| Left leg | 16, 48 | 0, 48 (pants) | 4 x 12 x 4 |
"Right" and "left" are the character's own sides, so the right arm appears on the left when the model faces you. Old 64 x 32 skins only have the top half of this layout, and the game reuses the right arm and leg, mirrored, for the left ones. Upgrading copies them the same way so you can edit each side separately.
Common skin problems
Black spots on the face or body. Pixels on the base layer were left transparent. Minecraft doesn't allow see-through base pixels, so they show as black or whatever color is hidden in the pixel. Click Fill with nearby colors, or paint them in your editor.
Arms look cut off or have a gap. The skin was uploaded with the wrong arm model. Slim skins have 3-pixel arms and need the Slim (Alex) option, and Classic skins need Classic (Steve).
The hat or jacket looks wrong in Java. Semi-transparent outer layer pixels display differently between editions. Make them fully opaque or fully transparent for consistent results.
The skin won't upload. Check that it's a PNG, not a JPG renamed to .png, and that it's exactly 64 x 64 or 64 x 32. HD skins need to be shrunk to 64 x 64 for Java.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a Minecraft skin?
64 x 64 pixels, saved as a PNG. Skins made before Java Edition 1.8 are 64 x 32 and still work, but they don't have separate left limbs or an outer layer on the body, arms, and legs.
How do I know if my skin is Steve or Alex?
Steve (Classic) skins have arms 4 pixels wide, and Alex (Slim) skins have arms 3 pixels wide. The checker looks at the arm area of the texture and tells you which one your skin uses, so you can choose the matching option when uploading.
Why does my Minecraft skin have black spots?
Some pixels on the base layer are transparent. Minecraft draws the base layer solid, so those pixels show as black. Only the outer layer, the hat, jacket, sleeves, and pants, can have see-through pixels. Use Fill with nearby colors to fix them automatically.
Can I use an HD skin in Minecraft?
Not in Java Edition, which only accepts 64 x 64 and 64 x 32 skins. Bedrock supports higher resolutions only in Marketplace and custom skin packs. The checker can shrink an HD skin that's an exact multiple of 64, like 128 x 128, down to 64 x 64.
How do I make my own skin?
Download the Classic or Slim template, open it in an image editor such as Paint.NET, GIMP, Photoshop, or Pixlr, and paint over the colored areas. Each color is a different part, and each shade is a different face. Keep the canvas at 64 x 64, save as PNG, then check it here before uploading.
Is my skin uploaded anywhere?
No. The skin is read and drawn by your browser and never sent to a server.