--- title: "BlueMap for Minecraft: a 3D server map in your browser | StreetHosting" description: "Install BlueMap on Paper, Fabric or Forge, accept the download in core.conf, control the first render and publish the map behind Nginx with HTTPS." url: "https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/bluemap-minecraft-3d-map" type: "page" language: "en-US" --- Minecraft · 9 min · Intermediate Published on Sep 28, 2026 · Updated on Sep 28, 2026 # How to show your Minecraft server world in 3D with BlueMap BlueMap turns your server world into a 3D map that anyone can open in a browser. Learn how to install it, open port 8100, keep the first render under control and publish the map with HTTPS. 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The map opens in the browser on port 8100. On a VPS, limit the threads of the first render and publish the map behind Nginx with HTTPS instead of leaving the port open. ## What BlueMap does[](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/bluemap-minecraft-3d-map#o-que-e) BlueMap reads the world files and builds a 3D map that anyone can open in a browser, without joining the game. You can rotate the camera, drop down to the level of the builds and see where online players are. Close to the camera it shows blocks in high resolution; farther away, it shows a simplified version that loads fast. After the first render, the map keeps up with the world on its own. When someone breaks or places blocks, that area is redrawn about a minute later, and once a day BlueMap checks the whole world for changes that slipped through. You never have to trigger an update by hand. For the community, the map becomes a showcase: you can drop the link in Discord and show off the city your players built. For the staff, it helps find abandoned builds and destroyed areas. It works only with Java Edition; Bedrock players who join through Geyser show up normally, because the server is still Java. ## Install on Paper, Fabric or Forge[](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/bluemap-minecraft-3d-map#instalar) BlueMap exists as a plugin and as a mod. Download the right file for your platform and for the exact version of your server from the project's official page: | Server | Where to put the file | Configuration folder | | ---------------------- | ------------------------------------- | ------------------------ | | Paper, Spigot or Folia | plugins folder | plugins/BlueMap | | Fabric | mods folder, together with Fabric API | config/bluemap | | Forge or NeoForge | mods folder | config/bluemap | | No running server | Command line version, run separately | Created next to the file | The newest BlueMap versions follow Minecraft 26.x and require Java 25, the same version the game itself requires from 26.1 on. If your server is still on 1.21, use the latest BlueMap version that lists 1.21 among its compatible versions. With the file in place, restart the server: BlueMap creates the configuration folder and tells you in the console that it is waiting for your authorization. The command line version is for rendering a copy of the world on another machine, without spending CPU on the game server. It is useful for huge worlds or for building a map of an old season that has already ended. ## Accept the download and pick the port[](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/bluemap-minecraft-3d-map#configurar) To draw the textures, BlueMap needs to download the Minecraft client resources straight from Mojang. It does not do this on its own: you authorize it in core.conf, and by setting it to true you also accept Mojang's terms of use for that download. Then check the port in webserver.conf: `# plugins/BlueMap/core.conf accept-download: true # plugins/BlueMap/webserver.conf enabled: true webroot: "bluemap/web" port: 8100` Save and run `/bluemap reload` in the console. The render starts, and the map already opens at http://SERVER\_IP:8100 even before it finishes. Running `/bluemap` on its own shows the progress. * **On managed hosting:** the map needs a port of its own. Minecraft plans from 8 GB up include random extra ports; put the number the control panel gave you in webserver.conf. * **On a VPS:** for a quick test, open 8100 in the firewall. For real use, follow the Nginx section and close the port again. * **Worlds you do not want on the map:** each world has a file in the maps folder. Remove the file and run `/bluemap purge` with the map name to delete what was already rendered. One detail that trips up a lot of people: the SRV record that lets players join without typing a port only works for Minecraft. Browsers do not use SRV, so the map link has to include the port, or be served from a subdomain of its own through Nginx, as in the next section. ## The first render without freezing the game[](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/bluemap-minecraft-3d-map#render-inicial) The first time, BlueMap processes every chunk already generated in the world. On a big map, that takes hours and occupies several CPU threads. Since Minecraft depends on a free core for its main thread, an unlimited render can drop the TPS right when players are online. The control lives in core.conf. The default for `render-thread-count` is -2, which means all cores minus two. On servers with 4 vCPU or fewer, set it to 1. With 6 to 8 vCPU, 2 or 3 threads usually handle the render without stealing CPU from the game. `# core.conf render-thread-count: 1 # plugin.conf # pauses the render when 10 or more players are online player-render-limit: 10` 1. Generate the world first with Chunky, as shown in the guide on [pre-generating chunks with Chunky](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/pregenerate-chunks-minecraft-chunky), and only then run the first render. 2. Use `/bluemap stop` to pause the render at peak hours and `/bluemap start` to resume it overnight. 3. Freeze maps that no longer change, such as the one from a finished event, with `/bluemap freeze`. 4. Keep an eye on disk space: large maps take up several gigabytes, even with the default compression. After the first render, BlueMap only updates the chunks that changed, and usage drops to a level most servers never notice. ## Publish with Nginx and HTTPS[](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/bluemap-minecraft-3d-map#nginx-https) On a VPS, the safest and nicest way is to serve the map on a subdomain such as map.yourdomain.com, with the HTTPS padlock and no port number in the link. First, make BlueMap listen only on the machine itself, so nobody can reach port 8100 from outside: `# webserver.conf ip: "127.0.0.1" port: 8100` Then create the site in Nginx, at `/etc/nginx/sites-available/mapa`: `server { listen 80; server_name map.yourdomain.com; location / { proxy_pass http://127.0.0.1:8100; proxy_set_header Host $host; proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-For $proxy_add_x_forwarded_for; } }` `sudo ln -s /etc/nginx/sites-available/mapa /etc/nginx/sites-enabled/ sudo nginx -t && sudo systemctl reload nginx sudo certbot --nginx -d map.yourdomain.com sudo ufw delete allow 8100/tcp` If you prefer the map on a path of your main site, such as yourdomain.com/mapa, use `location /mapa/` with `proxy_pass http://127.0.0.1:8100/;`, with the trailing slash on both. How the reverse proxy works is covered in [Nginx as a reverse proxy on a VPS](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/nginx-reverse-proxy-vps), and issuing and renewing the certificate is covered in [SSL certificate with Let's Encrypt](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/lets-encrypt-ssl-certificate-vps). On survival servers, a map open to anyone also reveals where each player's base is. If that bothers your community, protect the map with a password in Nginx itself. Create the users file and add the two authentication lines inside the location block: `sudo apt install -y apache2-utils sudo htpasswd -c /etc/nginx/.mapa_senhas membros # inside location / { ... } auth_basic "Mapa do servidor"; auth_basic_user_file /etc/nginx/.mapa_senhas;` Share the username and password only in the members channel on Discord, and change the password whenever someone leaves the staff or the community. ## Files or SQL database[](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/bluemap-minecraft-3d-map#armazenamento) BlueMap stores the map tiles in a storage defined in the storages folder. Each map points to one of them in its own file in maps. * **Files, the default:** the data sits in folders inside the server, compressed. It is the simplest option and lets Nginx serve the files straight from disk on heavily visited maps, using the template the official documentation provides. * **SQL database:** MySQL, MariaDB, PostgreSQL or SQLite, configured in sql.conf with the connection URL, user and password. It makes sense when the map is served from another machine or when thousands of small files get in the way of your backup. Take the BlueMap data folder out of the server backup. The map can be generated again from the world, and including thousands of image files makes every copy bigger and slower. Keep only the configuration folder in the backup, which is small and holds all your settings. ## BlueMap or Dynmap[](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/bluemap-minecraft-3d-map#dynmap) Both build a web map of the server, with different philosophies. The step by step for the other one is in [Dynmap on a Minecraft server](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/dynmap-minecraft-server). | Criterion | BlueMap | Dynmap | | ------------ | -------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------- | | Look | Navigable 3D, with a free camera | 2D, in flat view or perspective | | Default port | 8100 | 8123 | | Platforms | Paper, Spigot, Folia, Fabric, Forge, NeoForge and Sponge | Plugin for Paper and Spigot, with versions for Fabric and Forge | | Browser load | Heavier, needs a decent graphics card | Light, runs well on a basic phone | | Extras | Markers through the API and addons | Browser chat and many marker plugins | Pick just one. Running both at the same time doubles the render work and the disk usage with no real gain for players. If you are replacing Dynmap with BlueMap, remove the Dynmap jar and, once you have confirmed the new map is complete, delete its data folder to free up space. Tell the community about the new link, because the port and the address change. ## Where to run a server with a map[](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/bluemap-minecraft-3d-map#onde-rodar) BlueMap competes with the game for CPU during the render, so the ideal is to have spare cores beyond what the main thread uses. The Ryzen VPS plans use the Ryzen 9 9950X at up to 5.7 GHz, with DDR5 and NVMe, in São Paulo: * **4 vCPU, 8 GB and 80 GB NVMe for R$ 118.00:** small or medium world, with the render on 1 thread. * **6 vCPU, 16 GB and 160 GB NVMe for R$ 222.00:** render on 2 or 3 threads without affecting the game, and plenty of disk for the maps. * **8 vCPU, 24 GB and 240 GB NVMe for R$ 326.00:** large world, a heavily visited web map and a database on the same machine. The [VPS for Minecraft](https://streethosting.com.br/en/vps-minecraft) page lists these tiers, and the full lineup is at [Ryzen VPS](https://streethosting.com.br/en/vps/ryzen). If you do not want to deal with Nginx and a firewall, the 8 GB [Minecraft Pro](https://streethosting.com.br/en/minecraft-pro) plan, at R$ 88.00, already includes one extra port for the map, and the 10 GB plan, at R$ 110.00, includes five. The 4 and 6 GB plans have no extra port, so the web map is off the table there, and it would also compete with the game for the little memory they have. In this guide * [What BlueMap does](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/bluemap-minecraft-3d-map#o-que-e) * [Install on Paper, Fabric or Forge](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/bluemap-minecraft-3d-map#instalar) * [Accept the download and pick the port](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/bluemap-minecraft-3d-map#configurar) * [The first render without freezing the game](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/bluemap-minecraft-3d-map#render-inicial) * [Publish with Nginx and HTTPS](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/bluemap-minecraft-3d-map#nginx-https) * [Files or SQL database](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/bluemap-minecraft-3d-map#armazenamento) * [BlueMap or Dynmap](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/bluemap-minecraft-3d-map#dynmap) * [Where to run a server with a map](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/bluemap-minecraft-3d-map#onde-rodar) ## Frequently asked questions What is the default BlueMap port? The default port of the BlueMap web server is 8100, set in the webserver.conf file. On managed hosting, change it to the extra port the control panel gave you. On a VPS, it is best to leave BlueMap listening only on the machine itself and publish the map through Nginx with HTTPS. Why does BlueMap render nothing after I install it? Because it stays locked until you accept the download of the game resources. Open core.conf, set the option that allows that download to true and run /bluemap reload. Also remember that the map only shows chunks that have already been generated in the world. Does BlueMap make the Minecraft server lag? The first render is heavy, because it processes the whole world using several threads. Limit the number of threads in core.conf and, if needed, pause the render with /bluemap stop during peak hours. After the first render, it only updates the parts that changed, and the impact drops a lot. Can I use BlueMap on a Fabric or Forge server? Yes. Besides the plugin for Paper, Spigot and Folia, there are mod versions for Fabric, Forge and NeoForge. On a modded server, the file goes in the mods folder and the configuration lives in config/bluemap. Always download the version that lists your exact Minecraft version. BlueMap or Dynmap: which one should I use? BlueMap gives you a navigable 3D map and keeps up with new game versions. Dynmap generates a lighter 2D map for the browser and has a web chat and many older marker plugins. Pick just one, because running both doubles the render work on the server. Next step VPS for Minecraft Ryzen 9 VPS with root access, NVMe and Anti-DDoS to run Minecraft your way. [VPS for Minecraft](https://streethosting.com.br/en/vps-minecraft) [See Ryzen VPS Ryzen 9 9950X VPS in São Paulo with root access, NVMe and gamer Anti-DDoS.](https://streethosting.com.br/en/vps/ryzen) [See Minecraft Pro Managed hosting on Ryzen with modpacks, optimized Paper and technical support.](https://streethosting.com.br/en/minecraft-pro) ## Related guides [Minecraft Intermediate How to install Dynmap on a Minecraft server: a live online map Dynmap turns your server's world into an interactive map you can open in a browser. Here is how to install it, set the port and keep it running without slowing the server down. 3 min Read guide](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/dynmap-minecraft-server) [Minecraft Intermediate How to pregenerate chunks on a Minecraft server with Chunky Generating terrain is the heaviest job on the server. With Chunky you build the world ahead of time, while nobody is online, so player exploration runs without stutters. 3 min Read guide](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/pregenerate-chunks-minecraft-chunky) [VPS Intermediate How to set up Nginx as a reverse proxy on a VPS Your app runs on an internal port and you want to serve it on a domain with HTTPS. Nginx as a reverse proxy solves that and also brings several apps together in one place. 3 min Read guide](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/nginx-reverse-proxy-vps) [← Back to the Guide Center](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides)