This Minecraft tutorial explains how to use the /fill command to change water to air with screenshots and step-by-step instructions.
In Minecraft, you can use the /fill command to replace a specific type of block with another. In this case, we want to replace all water blocks with air blocks within a fill range. Let's explore how to do this in Minecraft.
SubscribeSupported Platforms
The /fill command is available in the following versions of Minecraft:
| Platform | Supported (Version*) |
|---|---|
 Java Edition (PC/Mac) | Yes (1.8) |
 Pocket Edition (PE) | Yes (0.16.0) |
 Xbox 360 | No |
 Xbox One | Yes (1.2) |
 PS3 | No |
 PS4 | Yes (1.14.0) |
 Wii U | No |
 Nintendo Switch | Yes (1.5.0) |
 Windows 10 Edition | Yes (0.16.0) |
 Education Edition | Yes |
* The version that it was added or removed, if applicable.
NOTE: Pocket Edition (PE), Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch, and Windows 10 Edition are now called Bedrock Edition. We will continue to show them individually for version history.
Requirements
To run game commands in Minecraft, you have to turn cheats on in your world.
Fill Command to Replace Water with Air
- Java
- PE
- Xbox
- PS
- Nintendo
- Win10
- Edu
Command in Minecraft Java Edition (PC/Mac)
In Minecraft Java Edition (PC/Mac) 1.13, 1.14, 1.15, 1.16, 1.17, 1.18, 1.19 and 1.20, the syntax to change water to air using the /fill command is:
/fill <x1> <y1> <z1> <x2> <y2> <z2> air replace water
In Minecraft Java Edition (PC/Mac) 1.11 and 1.12, the syntax is:
/fill <x1> <y1> <z1> <x2> <y2> <z2> air 0 replace water
Definitions
- x1 y1 z1 is the starting coordinate for the fill region (ie: first corner block).
- x2 y2 z2 is the ending coordinate for the fill region (ie: opposite corner block).
Command in Minecraft Pocket Edition (PE)
In Minecraft Pocket Edition (PE), the syntax to change water to air using the /fill command is:
/fill <from> <to> air [] replace water []
Definitions
- from is the starting x y z coordinate for the fill region (ie: first corner block).
- to is the ending x y z coordinate for the fill region (ie: opposite corner block).
Command in Minecraft Xbox One Edition
In Minecraft Xbox One Edition, the syntax to change water to air using the /fill command is:
/fill <from> <to> air [] replace water []
Definitions
- from is the starting x y z coordinate for the fill region (ie: first corner block).
- to is the ending x y z coordinate for the fill region (ie: opposite corner block).
Command in Minecraft PS4 Edition
In Minecraft PS4 Edition, the syntax to change water to air using the /fill command is:
/fill <from> <to> air [] replace water []
Definitions
- from is the starting x y z coordinate for the fill region (ie: first corner block).
- to is the ending x y z coordinate for the fill region (ie: opposite corner block).
Command in Minecraft Nintendo Switch Edition
In Minecraft Nintendo Switch Edition, the syntax to change water to air using the /fill command is:
/fill <from> <to> air [] replace water []
Definitions
- from is the starting x y z coordinate for the fill region (ie: first corner block).
- to is the ending x y z coordinate for the fill region (ie: opposite corner block).
Command in Minecraft Windows 10 Edition
In Minecraft Windows 10 Edition, the syntax to change water to air using the /fill command is:
/fill <from> <to> air [] replace water []
Definitions
- from is the starting x y z coordinate for the fill region (ie: first corner block).
- to is the ending x y z coordinate for the fill region (ie: opposite corner block).
Command in Minecraft Education Edition
In Minecraft Education Edition, the syntax to change water to air using the /fill command is:
/fill <from> <to> air 0 replace water
Definitions
- from is the starting x y z coordinate for the fill region (ie: first corner block).
- to is the ending x y z coordinate for the fill region (ie: opposite corner block).
TIP: Read our tutorial called Understanding the Coordinate System to learn about the XYZ coordinates in Minecraft and how to find your current coordinates.
Examples
- Java
- PE
- Xbox
- PS
- Nintendo
- Win10
- Edu
Example in Java Edition (PC/Mac) 1.13, 1.14, 1.15, 1.16, 1.17, 1.18, 1.19 and 1.20
In Java Edition 1.13, 1.14, 1.15, 1.16, 1.17, 1.18, 1.19 and 1.20, to replace all water with air in the fill region with a starting coordinate of ~10 ~0 ~40 and an ending coordinate of ~-40 ~-3 ~-40:
/fill ~10 ~0 ~40 ~-40 ~-3 ~-40 air replace water
Example in Java Edition (PC/Mac) 1.11 and 1.12
In Java Edition 1.11 and 1.12, to replace all water with air in the fill region with a starting coordinate of ~10 ~0 ~40 and an ending coordinate of ~-40 ~-3 ~-40:
/fill ~10 ~0 ~40 ~-40 ~-3 ~-40 air 0 replace water
Example in Pocket Edition (PE)
To replace all water with air in the fill region with a starting coordinate of ~5 ~0 ~8 and an ending coordinate of ~-10 ~-4 ~-15:
/fill ~5 ~0 ~8 ~-10 ~-4 ~-15 air [] replace water []
Example in Xbox One Edition
To replace all water with air in the fill region with a starting coordinate of ~5 ~0 ~8 and an ending coordinate of ~-10 ~-4 ~-11:
/fill ~5 ~0 ~8 ~-10 ~-4 ~-11 air [] replace water []
Example in PS4 Edition
To replace all water with air in the fill region with a starting coordinate of ~4 ~1 ~6 and an ending coordinate of ~-7 ~-3 ~-12:
/fill ~4 ~1 ~6 ~-7 ~-3 ~-12 air [] replace water []
Example in Nintendo Switch Edition
To replace all water with air in the fill region with a starting coordinate of ~5 ~0 ~8 and an ending coordinate of ~-10 ~-4 ~-15:
/fill ~5 ~0 ~8 ~-10 ~-4 ~-15 air [] replace water []
Example in Windows 10 Edition
To replace all water with air in the fill region with a starting coordinate of ~2 ~0 ~7 and an ending coordinate of ~-15 ~-3 ~-12:
/fill ~2 ~0 ~7 ~-15 ~-3 ~-12 air [] replace water []
Example in Education Edition
To replace all water with air in the fill region with a starting coordinate of ~2 ~0 ~5 and an ending coordinate of ~-11 ~-5 ~-12:
/fill ~2 ~0 ~5 ~-11 ~-5 ~-12 air 0 replace water
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.
at the top of the screen.
on the controller.
on the controller.2. Type the Command
In this example, we are going to replace all water with air in the fill region with a starting coordinate of ~10 ~0 ~40 and an ending coordinate of ~-40 ~-3 ~-40 in Minecraft Java Edition (PC/Mac) with the following command:
/fill ~10 ~0 ~40 ~-40 ~-3 ~-40 air 0 replace water
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, all water blocks in the fill range will be replaced with air blocks.
You will see the message "1640 blocks filled" appear in the lower left corner of the game window to indicate that the fill command has completed.
TIP: If the /fill command does not replace enough of the water with air, the remaining water will flow back and fill up the area again! So make sure you enter a large enough fill region with your coordinates.
Congratulations, you have learned how to use the /fill command to replace water with air in Minecraft.
Other Fill Cheats
You can use other fill commands in Minecraft such as:
