The map in Minecraft is divided into coordinates, namely XYZ and each of the X, Y and Z coordinate values are used to indicate a player’s location on the map. Here’s exactly how Minecraft’s coordinate system works:
- X – Mark your east/west location on the map. While positive value increases your position to the east and negative value increases it to the west.
- Y: Show your position up/down on the map. While positive value increases your position upwards and negative value increases it downwards.
- Z: Indicates your South/North position on the map. While positive value increases your position to the south and negative value increases it to the north.
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Activating coordinates in Minecraft
- Java version: Press F3 key on Windows or FN + F3 on Mac. Your exact coordinates are listed in the “XYZ” line. You can also refer to the “Block” row, but it doesn’t show your exact coordinates as the numbers are rounded.
- Bedrock version:
- When you create your world for the first time, activate the Show Coordinates option in the World Options menu.
- If you forgot or didn’t activate the Show coordinates option the first time, don’t worry. Go back to the main menu, then click the pen icon or edit button next to your world and turn on Show Coordinates.
- Pocket Edition: Pause the game, select Settings in Game Settings, scroll down to World Options, then activate the Show Coordinates button.
Understanding Minecraft coordinates
Like any three-dimensional space, Minecraft has three coordinates, X, Y and Z. With these three you can pinpoint the exact location of any particular block or object in the Minecraft world. Here’s what determines each of these three coordinates.
- The X coordinate determines your East/West position on the map. If the value is positive, it means that the position in question is east of the central part of the map. Negative value determines a position in the West.
- The Y coordinate determines your vertical position on the map. The further you move up, the more the positive value will increase. Alternatively, the further you go into the bedrock, the value decreases. The sea is always Y=64.
- The Z coordinate determines your position on the south/north map. As you move your location south, the positive value will increase. Go north and the numbers will go negative.
Z coordinates:
Z coordinates represent north or south coordinate as:
- If the z coordinate value is positive, it represents the south side, but its value decreases as one moves towards the southern slope (+Z).
- If the z coordinate value is negative, it represents the north side, but its value increases as you move towards the south side (-Z).
How to see coordinates in Minecraft: Java Edition
In Java, there are no cheat options like in Bedrock. Instead, you’ll enter a command that will teleport you to exactly where you already are. The game will then show where you are. Press T to open game chat and enter /tp ~ ~ ~. The game will tell you where you are then.
You can also open the Debug menu and find your coordinates, but a lot of information will be displayed on the screen at the same time. All you have to do is press F3 and look towards the middle left of the screen to find the XYZ Coordinates section. Press F3 again to make the Debug menu disappear.