Ambience

Ambience (also called ambience sounds or ambient noises) are sounds that can be heard in specific conditions. Ambience is divided into 2 groups: environmental ambience and block ambience.

All ambience sounds can be played using the /playsound command. The volume of both environmental and block ambient sounds can be changed through the sound settings by changing the "Ambient/Environment" slider. However, this also affects some other sounds, such as those made by firework rockets.

Environmental ambience[edit | edit source]

Environmental ambience refers to sounds that play based on the player's presence in specific environments.

In Java Edition, apart from cave ambience, enviroment ambience sounds are not described in the subtitles.

Cave ambience[edit | edit source]

Cave ambience (also known as cave sounds, or eerie noises according to the subtitles) are sounds that occasionally play when the player is underground or in a dark area, based on the mood algorithm. These sounds can play in both the Overworld and in the End, but not in the Nether.^[1]

The code name for cave ambience is ambient.cave. There are 23 different cave ambience sounds in total.

Sounds
Name	Sound	Volume	Pitch	Attenuation distance
Cave 1		JE: 1.0 BE: 0.7	JE: 1.0 BE: 0.8-1.0	16
Cave 2
Cave 3
Cave 4
Cave 5
Cave 6
Cave 7
Cave 8
Cave 9
Cave 10
Cave 11
Cave 12
Cave 13
Cave 14
Cave 15
Cave 16
Cave 17
Cave 18
Cave 19
Cave 20
Cave 21
Cave 22
Cave 23

Underwater ambience[edit | edit source]

This feature is exclusive to Java Edition.

Underwater ambience plays while the player's head is underwater. It can be heard within a body of water of any size and in any dimension.

Underwater ambience is divided into 4 groups that all play independently of each other:

Name	ID	Description
Loop	`ambient.underwater.loop`	Plays in an endless loop
Loop additions	`ambient.underwater.loop.additions`	Plays commonly
Rare loop additions	`ambient.underwater.loop.additions.rare`	Plays uncommonly
Ultra rare loop additions	`ambient.underwater.loop.additions.ultra_rare`	Plays rarely

There are 22 different underwater ambience sounds in total.

Sounds
Name	Sound	Volume	Pitch	Attenuation distance	Group
Underwater ambience		0.65	1.0	16	Loop
Bubbles 1		1.0	1.0	16	Loop additions
Bubbles 2		1.0	1.0	16
Bubbles 3		1.0	1.0	16
Bubbles 4		1.0	1.0	16
Bubbles 5		1.0	1.0	16
Bubbles 6		1.0	1.0	16
Water 1		1.0	1.0	16
Water 2		1.0	1.0	16
Animal 1		1.0	1.0	16	Rare loop additions
Bass whale 1		0.45	1.0	16
Bass whale 2		0.5	1.0	16
Crackles 1		0.7	1.0	16
Crackles 2		1.0	1.0	16
Driplets 1		0.5	1.0	16
Driplets 2		0.5	1.0	16
Earth crack		1.0	1.0	16
Animal 2		1.0	1.0	16	Ultra rare loop additions
Dark 1		1.0	1.0	16
Dark 2		0.7	1.0	16
Dark 3		1.0	1.0	16
Dark 4		1.0	1.0	16

Nether ambience[edit | edit source]

Nether ambience plays while the player is in the Nether. Each of the five biomes has its own unique ambience.

Nether ambience is divided into 3 groups that all play independently of each other:

Name	ID	Description
Loop	`ambient.<biome>.loop`	Plays in an endless loop
Loop additions	`ambient.<biome>.loop.additions`	Plays commonly
Mood	`ambient.<biome>.mood`	Plays based on the mood algorithm

There are 126 different Nether ambience sounds in total.

Basalt deltas[edit | edit source]

Sounds
Name	Sound	Volume	Pitch	Attenuation distance	Group
Basalt deltas ambience		?	?	?	Loop
Basalt deltas active 1 ‌^{[Java Edition only]}, but unused		?	?	?	Loop additions
Basalt deltas active 2 ‌^{[Java Edition only]}, but unused		?	?	?
Basalt deltas active 3 ‌^{[Java Edition only]}, but unused		?	?	?
Basalt deltas active 4 ‌^{[Java Edition only]}, but unused		?	?	?
Basalt deltas basalt ground 1		?	?	?
Basalt deltas basalt ground 2		?	?	?
Basalt deltas basalt ground 3		?	?	?
Basalt deltas basalt ground 4 ‌^{[Java Edition only]}, but unused		?	?	?
Basalt deltas click 1		?	?	?
Basalt deltas click 2		?	?	?
Basalt deltas click 3		?	?	?
Basalt deltas click 4		?	?	?
Basalt deltas click 5		?	?	?
Basalt deltas click 6		?	?	?
Basalt deltas click 7		?	?	?
Basalt deltas click 8		?	?	?
Basalt deltas debris 1		?	?	?
Basalt deltas debris 2		?	?	?
Basalt deltas debris 3		?	?	?
Basalt deltas heavy click 1		?	?	?
Basalt deltas heavy click 2		?	?	?
Basalt deltas long debris 1		?	?	?
Basalt deltas long debris 2		?	?	?
Basalt deltas plode 1		?	?	?
Basalt deltas plode 2		?	?	?
Basalt deltas plode 3		?	?	?
Basalt deltas twist 1		?	?	?
Basalt deltas twist 2		?	?	?
Basalt deltas twist 3		?	?	?
Basalt deltas twist 4		?	?	?

Crimson forest[edit | edit source]

Sounds
Name	Sound	Volume	Pitch	Attenuation distance	Group
Crimson forest ambience		?	?	?	Loop
Crimson forest addition 1		?	?	?	Loop additions
Crimson forest addition 2		?	?	?
Crimson forest addition 3		?	?	?
Crimson forest particles 1		?	?	?
Crimson forest particles 2		?	?	?
Crimson forest particles 3		?	?	?
Crimson forest shine 1		?	?	?
Crimson forest shine 2		?	?	?
Crimson forest shine 3		?	?	?
Crimson forest shroom 1		?	?	?
Crimson forest shroom 2		?	?	?
Crimson forest shroom 3		?	?	?
Crimson forest twang 1		?	?	?
Crimson forest voom 1		?	?	?
Crimson forest voom 2		?	?	?
Crimson forest mood 1		?	?	?	Mood
Crimson forest mood 2		?	?	?
Crimson forest mood 3		?	?	?
Crimson forest mood 4		?	?	?

Nether wastes[edit | edit source]

Sounds
Name	Sound	Volume	Pitch	Attenuation distance	Group
Nether wastes ambience		?	?	?	Loop
Nether wastes addition 1		?	?	?	Loop additions
Nether wastes addition 2		?	?	?
Nether wastes addition 3		?	?	?
Nether wastes addition 4		?	?	?
Nether wastes addition 5		?	?	?
Nether wastes addition 6		?	?	?
Nether wastes addition 7		?	?	?
Nether wastes addition 8		?	?	?
Nether wastes dark 1		?	?	?
Nether wastes dark 2		?	?	?
Nether wastes ground 1		?	?	?
Nether wastes ground 2		?	?	?
Nether wastes ground 3		?	?	?
Nether wastes ground 4		?	?	?
Nether wastes mood 1		?	?	?	Mood
Nether wastes mood 2		?	?	?
Nether wastes mood 3		?	?	?
Nether wastes mood 4		?	?	?
Nether wastes mood 5 ‌^{[Java Edition only]}		?	?	?

Soulsand valley[edit | edit source]

Sounds
Name	Sound	Volume	Pitch	Attenuation distance	Group
Soulsand valley ambience		?	?	?	Loop
Soulsand valley sand 1		?	?	?	Loop additions
Soulsand valley sand 2		?	?	?
Soulsand valley sand 3		?	?	?
Soulsand valley voices 1		?	?	?
Soulsand valley voices 2		?	?	?
Soulsand valley voices 3		?	?	?
Soulsand valley voices 4		?	?	?
Soulsand valley voices 5		?	?	?
Soulsand valley whisper 1		?	?	?
Soulsand valley whisper 2		?	?	?
Soulsand valley whisper 3		?	?	?
Soulsand valley whisper 4		?	?	?
Soulsand valley whisper 5		?	?	?
Soulsand valley whisper 6		?	?	?
Soulsand valley whisper 7		?	?	?
Soulsand valley whisper 8		?	?	?
Soulsand valley wind 1		?	?	?
Soulsand valley wind 2		?	?	?
Soulsand valley wind 3		?	?	?
Soulsand valley wind 4		?	?	?
Soulsand valley with 1		?	?	?
Soulsand valley mood 1		?	?	?	Mood
Soulsand valley mood 2		?	?	?
Soulsand valley mood 3		?	?	?
Soulsand valley mood 4		?	?	?

Warped forest[edit | edit source]

Sounds
Name	Sound	Volume	Pitch	Attenuation distance	Group
Warped forest ambience		?	?	?	Loop
Warped forest addition 1		?	?	?	Loop additions
Warped forest addition 2		?	?	?
Warped forest addition 3		?	?	?
Warped forest addition 4		?	?	?
Warped forest addition 5		?	?	?
Warped forest addition 6		?	?	?
Warped forest enish 1		?	?	?
Warped forest enish 2		?	?	?
Warped forest enish 3		?	?	?
Warped forest help 1		?	?	?
Warped forest help 2		?	?	?
Warped forest here 1		?	?	?
Warped forest here 2		?	?	?
Warped forest here 3		?	?	?
Warped forest creak 1 ‌^{[Java Edition only]}		?	?	?	Mood
Warped forest creak 2 ‌^{[Java Edition only]}		?	?	?
Warped forest creak 3 ‌^{[Java Edition only]}		?	?	?
Warped forest creak 4 ‌^{[Java Edition only]}		?	?	?
Warped forest creak 5 ‌^{[Java Edition only]}		?	?	?
Warped forest mood 1		?	?	?
Warped forest mood 2		?	?	?
Warped forest mood 3		?	?	?
Warped forest mood 4		?	?	?
Warped forest mood 5 ‌^{[Java Edition only]}		?	?	?
Warped forest mood 6 ‌^{[Java Edition only]}		?	?	?
Warped forest mood 7 ‌^{[Java Edition only]}		?	?	?
Warped forest mood 8 ‌^{[Java Edition only]}, but unused^[2]		?	?	?
Warped forest mood 9 ‌^{[Java Edition only]}, but unused^[2]		?	?	?

Mood algorithm[edit | edit source]

Cave ambience and Nether mood play based on "mood", a value ranging from 0 to 100. The mood increases when the player is in a dark place, and decreases otherwise. When the mood reaches 100%, one of the sounds plays and the mood resets back to 0%.

This process is updated every tick. It involves selecting a random block within a 17×17×17 area centered around the player's eye position and adjusting the mood accordingly:

If the block has sky light, the mood decreases by ¹⁄₁₀₀₀ for each sky light level.
If the block has a block light level above 1, the mood decreases by ^{(block light level - 1)}⁄₆₀₀₀.
If the block has a block light level of 0, the mood increases by ¹⁄₆₀₀₀.

This is the simplified algorithm for computing this value in pseudocode:

def updateMood(mood):
    tickDelay = 6000
    maxLightLevel = 15
    block = select a random block in a 17×17×17 block cube centered around the player
    skyLight = block.getSkyLightLevel()

    if (skyLight > 0):
        mood = mood - (skyLight / maxLightLevel) * 0.015
    else:
        blockLight = block.getBlockLightLevel()
        mood = mood - (blockLight - 1) / tickDelay
    
    if (mood ≥ 1.0):
        player.playCaveAmbience()
        mood = 0.0
    else if (mood < 0):
        mood = 0.0

Players in complete darkness will hear cave ambience every 6000 ticks (or 5 minutes).

In Java Edition, the mood appears on the debug screen.

Block ambience[edit | edit source]

Block ambience describes sounds emitted by blocks sporadically, generally under additional conditions.

Creaking heart[edit | edit source]

Creaking hearts emit ambience sounds when active and surrounded by any types of logs, stripped logs, wood, or stripped wood in all 6 directions.

These sounds are referred to as "eerie sounds" in the subtitles.

The resource location for these sounds is block.creaking_heart.idle.

Sounds
Name	Sound	Volume	Pitch	Attenuation distance
Idle 1		1.0	1.0	16
Idle 2		1.0	1.0	16
Idle 3		1.0	1.0	16
Idle 4		1.0	1.0	16

Dead bush[edit | edit source]

Dead bushes emit ambient sounds when placed on top of 2 blocks of sand, red sand or terracotta.

These sounds are referred to as "dry sounds" in the subtitles.

The resource location for these sounds is block.deadbush.idle.

Sounds
Name	Sound	Volume	Pitch	Attenuation distance
Bushrustle 1		?	?	?
Bushrustle 2		?	?	?
Bushrustle 3		?	?	?
Creaky sand 1		?	?	?
Crickets		?	?	?
Howling wind 1		?	?	?
Insect 1		?	?	?
Leaves		?	?	?
Moving sand 1		?	?	?
Moving sand 2		?	?	?
Moving sand 3		?	?	?

Eyeblossom[edit | edit source]

Eyeblossoms emit ambience sounds when placed on top of pale moss.

These sounds are referred to as "eerie noise" in the subtitles but as "eyeblossom whispers" in the Crowdin strings.^[3]

The resource location for these sounds is block.eyeblossom.idle.

Sounds
Name	Sound	Volume	Pitch	Attenuation distance
Idle 1		1.0	1.0	16
Idle 2		1.0	1.0	16
Idle 3		1.0	1.0	16
Idle 4		1.0	1.0	16
Idle 5		1.0	1.0	16
Idle 6		1.0	1.0	16

Firefly bush[edit | edit source]

Firefly bushes emit ambience sounds at night (between 12600 and 23400 ticks) if no collidable blocks (excluding leaves) are placed above it.

These sounds are referred to as "fireflies buzz" in the subtitles.

The resource location for these sounds is block.firefly_bush.idle.

Sounds
Name	Sound	Volume	Pitch	Attenuation distance
Bush 1		1.0	1.0	16
Bush 2		1.0	1.0	16
Bush 3		1.0	1.0	16
Bush 4		1.0	1.0	16
Bush 5		1.0	1.0	16
Bush 6		1.0	1.0	16
Bush 7		1.0	1.0	16
Bush 8		1.0	1.0	16
Bush 9		1.0	1.0	16
Bush 10		1.0	1.0	16
Bush 11		1.0	1.0	16

Hanging pale moss[edit | edit source]

Hanging pale moss emit ambience sounds when attached to pale oak leaves or pale oak logs.

These sounds are referred to as "eerie noise" in the subtitles.

The resource location for these sounds is block.pale_hanging_moss.idle.

Sounds
Name	Sound	Volume	Pitch	Attenuation distance
Moss 1		1.0	1.0	16
Moss 2		1.0	1.0	16
Moss 3		1.0	1.0	16
Moss 4		1.0	1.0	16
Moss 5		1.0	1.0	16
Moss 6		1.0	1.0	16
Moss 7		1.0	1.0	16
Moss 8		1.0	1.0	16
Moss 9		1.0	1.0	16
Moss 10		1.0	1.0	16
Moss 11		1.0	1.0	16
Moss 12		1.0	1.0	16
Moss 13		1.0	1.0	16
Moss 14		1.0	1.0	16
Moss 15		1.0	1.0	16

Sand[edit | edit source]

Sandy sounds[edit | edit source]

Sand, red sand and terracotta emit ambience sounds when there is a sand, red sand or terracotta block 8 blocks away in 3 of the 4 horizontal directions and are at the surface of the world.

These sounds are referred to as "sandy sounds" in the subtitles.

The resource location for these sounds is block.sand.idle.

Sounds
Name	Sound	Volume	Pitch	Attenuation distance
Sand 1		?	?	?
Sand 2		?	?	?
Sand 3		?	?	?
Sand 4		?	?	?
Sand 5		?	?	?
Sand 6		?	?	?
Sand 7		?	?	?
Sand 8		?	?	?
Sand 9		?	?	?
Sand 10		?	?	?
Sand 11		?	?	?
Sand 12		?	?	?
Sand 13		?	?	?
Sand 14		?	?	?
Sand 15		?	?	?
Sand 16		?	?	?
Sand 17		?	?	?
Sand 18		?	?	?
Sand 19		?	?	?
Sand 20		?	?	?
Sand 21		?	?	?

Windy sounds[edit | edit source]

Sand, red sand and terracotta emit ambience sounds when there is a sand, red sand or terracotta block 8 blocks away in 3 of the 4 horizontal directions, are at the surface of the world and are placed in a desert, badlands, wooded badlands or eroded badlands.

These sounds are referred to as "windy sounds" in the subtitles.

The resource location for these sounds is block.sand.wind.

Sounds
Name	Sound	Volume	Pitch	Attenuation distance
Wind 1		?	?	?
Wind 2		?	?	?
Wind 3		?	?	?
Wind 4		?	?	?
Wind 5		?	?	?
Wind 6		?	?	?
Wind 7		?	?	?
Wind 8		?	?	?
Wind 9		?	?	?
Wind 10		?	?	?
Wind 11		?	?	?
Wind 12		?	?	?

Video[edit | edit source]

History[edit | edit source]

[hide]Java Edition Alpha
v1.0.3							Added 13 different cave ambient sounds.
[hide]Java Edition
1.2.1			12w07a				Ambience now works in multiplayer.
1.2.1			12w07a				Cave Ambience was known to play only in 3×3×3 spaces or larger, but it's been heard playing in spaces of smaller size.
1.9			15w43a				Added cave sound 14.
1.10			pre2				Added cave sounds 15 and 16.
1.12			17w13a				Added cave sounds 17 and 18.
1.13			18w02a				Added cave sound 19.
1.13			18w10a				Added 22 different underwater ambient sounds.
1.16			20w10a				Added 95 different nether ambient sounds for the nether wastes, crimson forest, warped forest, and soul sand valley.
			20w10a				Cave sounds can no longer be played at different pitches. Prior to this snapshot, Cave 1, 5, and 13 could be heard at pitches ranging from 0.65× to 1.0× the base pitch.
			20w12a				There is now a new mood detection algorithm for cave ambience. Two factors increase the mood gradually: Being underground and being in low light levels. The mood works by increasing or decreasing the percentage between 0% and 100%, and when it reaches 100%, cave ambience plays. The percentage can be seen in the debug screen.
			20w15a				Added 31 new ambient sounds for the basalt deltas. 9 more ambient sounds are reused.
1.21			24w19a				Added cave sounds 20, 21, 22 and 23.
1.21.2 Experiment Winter Drop			24w40a				Added creaking hearts and their ambient sounds.
1.21.2 Experiment Winter Drop			24w40a				Added pale hanging moss and their ambient sounds.
1.21.4			24w44a				Added eyeblossoms and their ambient sounds.
1.21.5			25w05a				Sand, red sand and terracotta now emit ambient sounds.
1.21.5			25w05a				Dead bushes now emit ambient sounds.
1.21.5			25w06a				Firefly bushes now emit ambient sounds.
[hide]Bedrock Edition
1.16.0			beta 1.16.0.57				Added cave and mood nether ambience.
1.16.0			beta 1.16.0.59				The frequency of cave and nether ambience has been tweaked.
1.16.210			beta 1.16.210.50				Added more nether ambience for the nether wastes, crimson forest, warped forest, basalt delta and soul sand valley.
1.21.0			Preview 1.21.0.23				Added cave sounds 20, 21, 22 and 23.
1.21.50			Preview 1.21.50.20				Added creaking hearts and their ambient sounds.
1.21.50			Preview 1.21.50.20				Added pale hanging moss and their ambient sounds.
1.21.50			Preview 1.21.50.25				Increased the frequency of creaking heart's ambience sounds.
1.21.50			Preview 1.21.50.25				Increased the frequency of pale hanging moss ambience sounds.
1.21.50			Preview 1.21.50.26				Eyeblossoms now emit ambient sounds.
1.21.50			Preview 1.21.50.28				Adjusted the frequency of creaking heart's ambience sounds to better align with Java Edition.
1.21.70 Experiment Drop 1 2025			Preview 1.21.70.20				Sand, red sand and terracotta now emit ambient sounds.
1.21.70 Experiment Drop 1 2025			Preview 1.21.70.20				Dead bushes now emit ambient sounds.
1.21.70 Experiment Drop 1 2025			Preview 1.21.70.22				Firefly bushes now emit ambient sounds.
[hide]Legacy Console Edition
Xbox 360	Xbox One	PS3	PS4	PS Vita	Wii U	Switch
TU12	CU1	1.00	1.00	1.00	Patch 1	1.0.1	Added 13 different cave ambient sounds.
TU25	CU14	1.17	1.17	1.17	Patch 1		Added an option to disable or enable ambient cave sounds.
TU43	CU33	1.36	1.36	1.36	Patch 13		Added cave sounds 15 and 16.
TU46	CU36	1.38	1.38	1.38	Patch 15		Added cave sound 14.
TU54	CU44	1.52	1.52	1.52	Patch 24	1.0.4	Added cave sounds 17 and 18.
TU69		1.76	1.76	1.76	Patch 38		Added cave sound 19.

Mood algorithm[edit | edit source]

In Java Edition, prior to 20w12a, the mood algorithm worked differently.^{[more information needed for Bedrock Edition]}

Every 6000 to 18000 ticks (5 to 15 minutes), the game picked one of the following blocks (with the player's feet as the origin, i.e. $(0, 0, 0)$ ): ${(x, y, z) ∣ x, y, z \in {- 4, 0, 4}}$

The game then checked these conditions:

If the block is different from the player's feet (i.e. $(0, 0, 0)$ ).
If the block is air.
If the sky light is 0.
If the block light is less than or equal to $random (0, 8)$ .

When all conditions were met, the game played a random cave ambience sound.

Issues[edit | edit source]

Issues relating to "Ambience", "Cave ambience", "Underwater ambience", or "Nether ambience" are maintained on the bug tracker. Issues should be reported and viewed there.

Trivia[edit | edit source]

When "Cave 14" is viewed in a spectrogram, it appears to show the face of a creeper.
"Warped Forest Additions 1-5" are a mix of vanilla enderman sounds and those of the endermen from Minecraft Dungeons.
- "Warped Forest Addition 6" is the sound of an enderman screaming, slowed down, and in reverse.
"Warped Forest Mood 9" is a slowed-down and reverberated idle sound of the witch.
"Dark 4" is a slowed and pitched down scream of a ghast.^[verify]
All cave and Nether ambient sounds in Bedrock Edition can play at different pitches. In Java Edition, cave sounds stay at normal pitch, but some of the nether ambient sounds can play at different pitch. For example, "Warped Forest Help 1 and Help 2" sometimes play at 0.7X pitch.
In Bedrock Edition, all "enish" sounds play either at 0.2X pitch or 0.25X pitch instead of normal pitch. In Java Edition, these same sounds play at 0.5X pitch.

References[edit | edit source]

↑ MC-189847
↑ ^{Jump up to: a} ^b MC-176201
↑ MC-277969 — Eyeblossom idle sounds use the wrong subtitles — resolved as "Works As Intended".

Navigation[edit | edit source]

[1] MC-189847

[unusedwarped-2] {Jump up to: a} ^b MC-176201

[3] MC-277969 — Eyeblossom idle sounds use the wrong subtitles — resolved as "Works As Intended".

[1]

[2]

[3]

Ambience

Contents

Environmental ambience[edit | edit source]

Cave ambience[edit | edit source]

Underwater ambience[edit | edit source]

Nether ambience[edit | edit source]

Basalt deltas[edit | edit source]

Crimson forest[edit | edit source]

Nether wastes[edit | edit source]

Soulsand valley[edit | edit source]

Warped forest[edit | edit source]

Mood algorithm[edit | edit source]

Block ambience[edit | edit source]

Creaking heart[edit | edit source]

Dead bush[edit | edit source]

Eyeblossom[edit | edit source]

Firefly bush[edit | edit source]

Hanging pale moss[edit | edit source]

Sand[edit | edit source]

Sandy sounds[edit | edit source]

Windy sounds[edit | edit source]

Video[edit | edit source]

History[edit | edit source]

Mood algorithm[edit | edit source]

Issues[edit | edit source]

Trivia[edit | edit source]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

Navigation[edit | edit source]

Navigation menu