Minecraft is a hugely popular game that has evolved dramatically in the last decade or so. It has received numerous updates, and, more importantly, a staggering number of mods are now available.
With so much to do, knowing the geography of your map is often critical, especially if you’re working on a construction project. This is where the coordinates come into play. You’ll need your XYZs if you’re making something big in Minecraft.

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What Is the Purpose of Minecraft World Coordinates?
Minecraft’s world is vast. Technically, it is nearly infinitely vast (at least in Bedrock Edition), as the world is generated randomly as the player moves through it. There’s plenty of walking to do, but you can also dig beneath the ground and fly through the sky.
There are numerous points of interest in the Minecraft world, ranging from the world spawn (where you spawn when you first start) and villages to mansions, ruined portals, desert temples, and more. Making notes of where these points of interest are is one of the most useful things a player can do with coordinates in Minecraft.
Realistic object creation in Minecraft is very popular, and there are many impressive examples available. These, however, would be impossible to plan and execute in the Minecraft world without the correct coordinates. Assume you want to construct a massive pirate ship. The small-scale item is relatively simple to construct; for example, count your cubes and build a house using commands.
However, projects like a massive sailing ship will necessitate planning, and without the coordinates, you’ll have a difficult time figuring it out. They are, thankfully, available in Minecraft, but not by default. To see them, you must first turn them on.
Recognizing Minecraft Coordinates
Minecraft, like any three-dimensional space, has three coordinates: X, Y, and Z. You can use these three to precisely locate any particular block or item in the Minecraft world. What each of these three coordinates determines is as follows.
- Your East/West position on the map is determined by the X coordinate. If the value is positive, it indicates that the location in question is east of the map’s center. A position in the West is determined by the negative value.
- Your vertical position on the map is determined by the Y coordinate. The greater the upward movement, the greater the positive value. Alternatively, as you get closer to bedrock, the value drops. The ocean is always Y=64.
- Your South/North map position is determined by the Z coordinate. The positive value increases as you move your position to the south. As you travel north, the numbers will become negative.
Coordinate positions are classified into two types: absolute positions and relative positions.
- An absolute coordinate in Minecraft represents a specific location. If you see the numbers 65, 239, 54, they refer to a specific location 65 blocks to the east, 239 blocks above sea level, and 54 blocks south of the map’s center.
- The relative coordinate in Minecraft represents the distance from a specific location. The format is denoted by a “” (tilde symbol). If you see numbers like “3, 1, 2,” this refers to a location 3 blocks east, 1 block up, and 2 blocks south of where you are now.
Discovering Your XYZ Coordinates
Depending on whether you are playing the Bedrock or Java edition of Minecraft, there are different methods for determining your current coordinates.
In Minecraft Bedrock Edition, how do you get the XYZ and block coordinates?
Finding your current coordinates while playing Minecraft Bedrock Edition on Windows 10/11, macOS, and Linux is a breeze. Here’s how to go about it.
- Go to the “Settings” menu, select “Game,” and scroll down to enable the “Show Coordinates” option.
Until you disable the feature, your current coordinates are displayed in the top left corner of the screen. They change as you move, which makes them extremely useful for navigation and commands.
In Minecraft Java Edition, how do you get the XYZ and block coordinates?
Unfortunately, unlike Bedrock, there is no built-in setting in Minecraft Java Edition to display only your coordinates. However, finding your current coordinates is still very simple at any time. Here’s what you should do.
- While playing the Minecraft Java game, press “F3” on Windows or “FN + F3” on Mac to bring up the “Debug Screen,” which contains a variety of text information about your game world.
- Search for the “XYZ:” and “Block” sections. You’ll see your precise coordinates (where your feet are) like “XYZ: 77.100 / 72.00000 / -205.344,” as well as the block you’re standing on like “Block: 77 72 -206.”
- If you want to use coordinates for commands, stand on the block you want to use, then check the “Block” coordinates (world block location) in the “Debug Screen.” The chunk coordinates are also listed, but they are inapplicable.
Minecraft Coordinate Applications
Coordinates are used for a variety of purposes in Minecraft. The section above titled “Why Would You Need Minecraft World Coordinates?” provides a brief explanation of why you need them, but this section explains the most common uses so that you have a better understanding of why you need them.
- In Minecraft, coordinates are commonly used for the following purposes:
- Move to another location.
- Copy blocks and move them around.
- In a specific location, replace blocks or items.
- Use coordinates to clear areas of the world.
- Save specific points of interest around the world for future teleportation needs.
- Place entities in specific locations.
- Choose a warp location.
- Create portals that connect two locations.
- Use structure blocks to duplicate buildings and other sectional areas in the world.
- Use the same world to share specific areas with others.
As shown in the preceding list, coordinates make building a large object much easier and allow you to create points of interest for yourself or other players. Of course, it’s easy to get lost in Minecraft, and trying to find your way back to a point of interest without knowing the coordinates can be a nightmare. Furthermore, if you respawn, you’ll have an even more difficult time returning to a specific area without knowing its coordinates.
Coordinates are also used when sharing level seeds to show other people where to look for things. This is extremely useful for YouTubers who frequently do Minecraft streams or people who create tutorials.
Teleportation also makes use of coordinates. They can assist you when you want to go from point A to point B without having to look for it. You may also require them when constructing portals from one area to another.
Conclusion
Finally, the whole point of Minecraft is to get lost and explore the vast world. However, if you are approaching the game from a different angle—mods, commands, YouTube, etc.—you will need coordinates. Fortunately, obtaining those Minecraft coordinates is simple, whether on Bedrock in Windows 10/11, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and so on, or on Java in Windows 10/11, Linux, or macOS.