nocware
Quick answer
- X = east (+) and west (−). Z = south (+) and north (−). Y = height.
- Java: press F3. Bedrock: turn on Show Coordinates in world settings.
- Write down the coordinates of your base, portals and anything you want to find again.
Lost your base? Coordinates fix that forever. Three numbers tell you exactly where you are in your world.
Waypoint ManagerSave Minecraft waypoints across your worlds→
What X, Y and Z mean
| Axis | Direction | Gets bigger when you go… |
|---|---|---|
| X | East / west | East |
| Y | Up / down | Up |
| Z | South / north | South |
Easy way to rememberZ going up means you're walking south. It's the opposite of most real maps, which trips everyone up at first.
How to see your coordinates
Java
Press F3 (Fn + F3 on some laptops). Look for XYZ in the top left. The same screen also shows which way you're facing.
Bedrock
Go to world settings and turn on Show Coordinates. They appear in the top left of your screen.
F3 not showing coordinates?On some servers, the reduced debug info setting hides them. That's a server choice, not a bug.
Height: the Y numbers to know
-64bottom of the Overworld
63sea level
320build limit
Y matters for mining too. Diamonds are most common near Y -58, iron near Y 14.
Ore DistributionFind the best Y level for diamonds, iron, gold, redstone, copper and every ore→
Using coordinates in your world
- Stand on your base's front door and save the X, Y, Z.
- Save every Nether portal too. Nether coordinates are the Overworld ones divided by 8.
- To get home, move until your X and Z match, then sort out the height.
Playing Hardcore?Save the coordinates of your spare gear stash and your nearest bed. If you get lost in a cave at night, coordinates get you out without guessing.
Cheat sheet
- X east/west, Z south/north, Y up/down
- Java: F3. Bedrock: Show Coordinates
- Sea level 63, bottom -64, build limit 320
- Save base, portals and farms
Waypoint ManagerSave Minecraft waypoints across your worlds→
How Nether Portal Linking Works
Why Your Anvil Says Too Expensive
Shulker Box Storage Maths