ChatHighlighter
by uku
With ChatHighlighter, words, phrases and patterns typed in chat stand out on screen, so a player can spot a name or keyword during a busy conversation.
What it does
Highlighting is applied to lines that match a configured term. Terms can be plain words or phrases, and the mod also accepts regular expressions for matching patterns. Each highlight can use a configurable color with adjustable opacity, and a notification sound can play when a match arrives, so a player hears a mention without watching the chat closely.
The mod runs only on the client, so a player can add it to a single-player world or a multiplayer session without the server needing anything installed. ChatHighlighter is published for Fabric, NeoForge and Quilt, with files for 1.18.2 – 26.3 as the supported range, and its code is open source under the MIT License.
Key features
Keyword highlighting
Words and phrases typed in chat are drawn with a color that the player picks for each match.
Pattern matching
Regular expressions let a single entry catch several related forms of a word instead of listing each one.
Adjustable color opacity
The strength of each highlight can be lowered or raised, so the marking stays readable against the chat background.
Notification sound
A sound can be set to play when a highlighted line appears, so a mention is noticed even when the chat is not in view.
Compatibility
Latest build for each game version and loader.
26.x5 of 5 versions with builds
1.21.x12 of 12 versions with builds
1.20.x7 of 7 versions with builds
1.19.x3 of 3 versions with builds
1.18.x1 of 1 version with builds
Only full game releases are shown. This mod publishes no snapshot builds.
Use cases
Busy multiplayer chat
On a server with many players, highlighting a username or a callout keeps the important lines visible among constant messages.
Team voice-free coordination
Groups playing together in chat can mark their own role names or coordinates so each member picks out the messages meant for them.
Who it’s for: Players who read a lot of chat on multiplayer servers, and anyone who wants mentions and keywords to stand out without changing what the server sends.
How it compares
Chat Alert is a Fabric mod for 1.21.1 – 1.21.11 under the MIT License, but it is not open source, and it differs in its version range. Color Me Outlines is a Fabric mod for 1.19 – 1.20.1 under the MIT License and open source, and it highlights block outlines rather than chat lines. Pickup Notifications is a client and server mod for 1.18.2 – 26.3 under the MIT License, so both sides must run it, unlike ChatHighlighter which needs only the client.
| Mod | Loaders | Game versions | Environment | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ChatHighlighter | Fabric, NeoForge and Quilt | 1.18.2 – 26.3 | Client-side only | 2026-09-15 |
| Chat Alert | Fabric | 1.21.1 – 1.21.11 | Client-side only | 2026-08-24 |
| Color Me Outlines | Fabric | 1.19 – 1.20.1 | Client-side only | 2023-06-17 |
| Pickup Notifications | Fabric, Forge, NeoForge and Quilt | 1.18.2 – 26.3 | Client and server | 2026-09-20 |
Questions
Does ChatHighlighter have to be installed on the server?
Which loaders can ChatHighlighter be used with?
Can highlight patterns use regular expressions?
In the catalog
ChatHighlighter is one of 36,990 Utility mods on ModsFinder, and one of 25,772 Utility mods for Fabric. 8,071 mods support Minecraft 26.3.
More from uku
Similar mods
What the author says
ChatHighlighter is a simple mod which highlights words or phrases in chat!
Official listing
- Modrinth page
- modrinth.com/mod/chathighlighter
- Owner
- uku
- Published
- 2022-12-31
- Updated on Modrinth
- 2026-09-15
- Facts verified
- 2026-10-15