Minecraft skin Classic or Slim: what is the difference?
When you upload a Minecraft skin you have to choose a body model. The choice is small, but if it does not match the skin, the character looks odd around the arms.
The difference: arm width
In the Classic model (often called Steve) the arms are 4 pixels wide. In the Slim model (often called Alex) they are 3 pixels wide. All other body parts are the same size.
Why the choice matters
A skin painted for Classic has one extra pixel column on the arms. If you select Slim, that column is missing and the arm looks cut off or gets a gap. The other way round, a Slim skin in the Classic model shows a transparent or empty strip on the arm.
How to tell which model is right
- Look at the arms in the 3D preview and watch for gaps or cut-off edges.
- On Slim skins the outermost pixel column of the arm areas is often empty.
- When in doubt, try both. The right one looks closed around the arms.
In the Craftory skin editor
In the editor and the character studio you can switch between Classic and Slim at any time and see right away how the skin looks. On download, the model is noted in the file name.
Switch the model and compare
In the skin editor you switch between Classic and Slim and see the difference right away.
Open the skin editor