Minecraft Maps

December 12, 2022

How to create a Minecraft map

There are two ways to create a Minecraft map: Java Edition and Bedrock Edition. You can create a Minecraft map in Java by placing a Compass around 8 pieces of paper on a Crafting table. You will need 9 pieces of paper for Bedrock. One per tile is required in the Crafting Table window.

The map will start blank. Simply right-click on the map to make it “active”, so that it can be explored and filled out. This will make your current location the center of the map.

Java's Compass is an addition to the map recipe that allows you to always see your current location marked on the map. To get this functionality in Bedrock, combine the Map and a Compass in an Anvil.

It's a great way to explore your Minecraft surroundings and create a map. Every Minecraft world seed is unique, and each one offers new discoveries and surprises.

How to mark a map

Interacting with a Banner placed in the world can mark a location on a map. The marker will match the colour of the Banner to mark the location of the Banner on the map.

The marker will be there until you re-explore the area. After that, the map will reflect the new location and will remove it.

How to create and use a Cartography Table

A Cartography Table can enhance maps in Minecraft. You can create a Cartography Table by placing two pieces of paper on top of a grid of Wooden Planks 2×2 in a Crafting Table.

The following are the results you can get by combining the following items and your Cartography Table map.

It is quite obvious why you might want to zoom in or clone a particular map. You can lock a map to prevent further exploration for many reasons. However, the most popular use is to create adventure maps or special scenarios on Minecraft servers.

Map zoom levels

A default Minecraft map covers an area of 128×128 block. Zooming out the map with a Cartography Table can be used up to 4 times. This will allow you to expand the area by 256×256 or 512×512 blocks, 1024×1024, 2048×2048, and 1024×1024, respectively.

The default map has the origin as your position when you activated it. Zoomed maps will have the origin in the top-left corner.

What are Explorer maps?

Explorer Maps are a special type of map that works differently from regular maps. Explorer Maps are used to show areas where there is a unique structure type, such as a Buried Treasure or a Woodland Mansion. An icon will mark the location of the rare structure on the map.

Explorer Maps can't be made. You will need to trade Emeralds with a Cartography Villager for one. For Buried Treasure Maps, however, you can find them in Shipwrecks or underwater Ruins.

Explorer Maps can often show areas far from the player. However, you will always be able see the player marker to determine where you are relative to the map. Your player marker will appear on the border of the map if you are outside of its boundaries. The marker will grow larger as you get closer. After you have passed the boundary of the map, you can explore the area and fill in the map as a normal map.

A Minecraft map viewer

Map items and Cartography Tables will allow you to keep within Survival Minecraft's limits. If you aren't afraid to use third-party tools, you can try an online Minecraft map viewer to see the best view of your world.

The Chunk Base Seed Map webpage is currently the best map viewer. Simply enter your Minecraft version number and your seed to see everything for thousands blocks at the world's spawn point.

Many Minecraft mods exist that add minimaps or full-screen maps to Minecraft, just like other games. JourneyMap is the most well-known mod. It gives you powerful maps to use in-game or in a web browser. It tracks your location and allows you to explore in real time.