Minecraft wiki entry for Command_blocks_and_functions, associated text: The player can teleport by using the /teleport teleport or tp <y> commands, where y is the vertical difference between the upper and lower elevator entrances. The elevator can also be made to tp a player to any coordinate just by leaving out the ~ before the numbers. When ~ is left in the command, the normal (x,y,z) is set to (0,0,0) where the command was made, such as standing on a pressure plate or wherever the player is standing when the command block received power. If a pressure plate was at the coordinates of (-36,96,-12) that ran to a command block with a command of /teleport @p ~3 ~4 ~5 it would tp the player to the coordinates of (-33,100,-7). The same outcome can be achieved by having the command of /teleport @p -33 100 -7 one block must be subtracted from the x and z axis to get to the right coordinates. Using @p, @s, @a @e.