Modern namespaced IDs are recommended. This numerical form is only for old Java releases.
/give @p 421 1
Give command syntax by version
Java 1.13+
/give @p minecraft:name_tag 1
Namespaced ID (current format)
Java 1.8–1.12.2
/give @p 421 1 0
Numerical ID + data value
Bedrock Edition
/give @p minecraft:name_tag 1
Same namespaced ID (namespace optional)
Rows appear only when the underlying value is verified: the Java 1.8–1.12.2 row requires a reviewed historical numerical ID, and the Bedrock row appears only when this exact namespaced ID exists in the Bedrock registry.
How to Get Name Tag
Finding Name Tag
Name Tag cannot be crafted at a crafting table. It must be obtained through normal gameplay.
Name Tag in Minecraft: Where to Find One and What to Name
Quick answer: Use minecraft:name_tag in Java Edition commands. Name tags are uncraftable: find them in structure chests, fish them up as treasure, or buy them from master librarians, then rename the tag on an anvil and apply it to a mob.
Reliable ways to get name tags
Name tags appear in chests in dungeons, mineshafts, woodland mansions, ancient cities, and a few other structures. Fishing has a small chance at treasure-tier loot that includes name tags, which makes an AFK fish farm a passive source.
The most controllable source is a master-level librarian, who sells name tags for emeralds. If you already run a villager trading hall, unlocking that trade once gives you unlimited tags for the rest of the world.
Chest loot: dungeons, mineshafts, mansions, ancient cities.
Fishing: treasure loot table, boosted by Luck of the Sea.
Trading: master librarian sells name tags for emeralds.
Naming mobs and the hidden effects
Rename the name tag on an anvil, then use it on a mob. Named mobs never despawn, which protects pets, villagers, and farm animals without pens. Naming also stops hostile mobs you want to keep, such as a zombie for a villager converter.
A few names trigger easter eggs. Dinnerbone or Grumm flips the mob upside down, jeb_ makes a sheep cycle through wool colors, and Toast gives a rabbit a special coat. These are cosmetic and safe to try on spare animals.
Name Tag Command Examples
Give 1 to nearest player: /give @p minecraft:name_tag 1
Give 1 to yourself: /give @s minecraft:name_tag 1
Give to a specific player: /give PlayerName minecraft:name_tag 1
Clear from inventory: /clear @p minecraft:name_tag
Name Tag FAQ
What is the item ID for Name Tag?
The item ID for Name Tag is minecraft:name_tag. Java Edition commands such as /give, /clear, and /setblock use this namespaced ID.
What is the numerical ID for Name Tag?
Name Tag has the historical numerical ID 421, used in Java Edition 1.12.2 and earlier. Current versions use minecraft:name_tag instead.
How do I give myself Name Tag in Minecraft?
Open the chat window and run /give @p minecraft:name_tag 1 to give the nearest player one Name Tag. Replace @p with a player name to target someone else.
How many Name Tag can stack in one slot?
Name Tag stacks up to 64 per inventory slot.
Can you craft a name tag in Minecraft?
No, name tags have no crafting recipe in Java Edition. You get them from structure chests, treasure-tier fishing, or master librarian trades, or with /give @p minecraft:name_tag in creative or command setups.
Do named mobs despawn in Minecraft?
Named mobs are protected from the normal passive despawn rules, so a named zombie, skeleton, or animal stays in the world. This makes name tags essential for keeping pets, villagers, and mob-farm residents.
What does the Dinnerbone name tag do?
Naming almost any mob Dinnerbone, or Grumm, renders it upside down. It is purely cosmetic: behavior, drops, and breeding all stay normal, and renaming the mob again restores the normal model.
Sources and Data Review
Item facts were reviewed for Java Edition 1.21.11 on .
