Guide to make and use Maps in Minecraft

Minecraft maps are essential tools and the best ally for your exploration. It helps you navigate the vast landscapes and mark some important locations. Whether you are a seasoned player or a beginner, navigating the maps can transform your Minecraft gameplay. Here is how you can make, use, and upgrade the maps like an expert explorer.

Crafting a Map

Gather the Essentials

• 8 Paper pieces- craft it using sugarcane (3 stalks are equivalent to 1 paper).
• 1 Compass- made with 1 redstone dust and 4 iron ingots (make it by smelting iron ore). Then, center the redstone in a crafting grid and surround it with iron.

Steps to Craft a Map in Java Edition

• Open the crafting table.
• Place the compass in the center slot.
• Then, surround it with 8 paper pieces.
• The empty map is now ready to be used.

Bedrock Edition

In it, skip the compass! Use a total of 9 paper pieces for the basic map that wouldn’t track your location.


Tip: enable Starting Map in the world settings to begin with the pre-made map.

Use the Map

After crafting the map, it will be blank. To fill it,

• Hold the map in your hand and right-click on it or choose the Use button.
• A map will start to record the terrain around you.
• The white dot there represents the location. Move around to reveal more of the world.

Tip: maps show the areas that you have explored. If you venture beyond borders, craft the new map or just zoom out on the existing one.

Expand your Map

Maps could be zoomed out to cover a larger area.

• Craft Table method- combine the map with 8 paper pieces.
• Cartography Table method- use 1 piece of the paper and map, for fast zooming.

You could zoom out 4 times to double the range of the map every time. But remember, it will reduce the details.

Mark Key Locations

Mark key locationsif you face concerns in finding base, village, or the treasure spot. Use the banners for it. It can be crafted with the use of 1 stick and 6 wool. Then, follow the below-mentioned steps.

• Place the banner at the desired location.
• Hold the map and then interact with the banner.
• The colored dot would appear on the map. It will match the color of the banner.
• You can name the banner with an anvil for the custom marker label.

How to Find Minecraft Maps without crafting it?

If you do not want to craft the maps, you can look for the maps in,

• Stronghold libraries (11% chance to find it in the chests)
• Shipwrecks (8% chance to find it in the treasure chests)
• Cartographer Villagers (you can trade 7 to 8 emeralds for the map)

Advanced Tips for Mastering Map

• Overlapping Maps- it ensures seamless exploration.
• Map Walls- combine multiple maps in the item frames to create a connected, giant map wall.
• Specialized Maps- use the cartography tables to create detailed maps of specific areas, like biomes or villages.

Maps are more than just Minecraft navigation tools. They are the perfect getaway for an organized exploration. Whether you are marking the hidden treasures or are planning the epic builds, the well-used map ensures the players do not lose their way in the endless world of Minecraft. Just grab the compass, gather paper, and then simply start charting the adventures.


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