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How to Make and Use Maps in Minecraft

January 8, 2025

January 8, 2025

3 minutes

Hey explorers. Ready to ditch getting lost in your brick worlds and become a master navigator? So you got learn how to make a map in Minecraft, because they are essential tools for any Minecrafter, helping you chart your surroundings, plan epic expeditions, and even show off your awesome creations. 

In this guide, we’ll show you how to make a map in Minecraft and use it effectively, from basic crafting to advanced cartography techniques. Let’s dive in and conquer those uncharted territories.

How to Make a Map in Minecraft

Knowing how to make a map in Minecraft is a crucial skill for any player who wants to explore the world effectively. With a map in hand, you can track your location, mark points of interest, and navigate your surroundings with ease.

Check the troubleshooting guide on how to fix lag in Minecraft for a seamless experience.

Minecraft cartography table: what is it?

Beforehand, to know how to make a map in Minecraft, we need to understand the cartography table mechanic.

The cartography table is your best friend when it comes to advanced mapmaking in Minecraft. This handy block allows you to clone, expand, and lock your maps, giving you greater control over your cartographic endeavors.

Tipos for using Minecraft cartography tables:

  • Cloning maps: Create copies of your existing maps to share with friends or keep backups for your explorations.
  • Expanding maps: Increase the zoom level of your maps to cover a wider area, perfect for mapping out large builds or distant biomes.
  • Locking maps: Prevent further modifications to your maps, ensuring that your cartographic masterpieces remain unchanged.

How to make a map in Minecraft

Crafting a basic map in Minecraft is surprisingly simple. Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you started:

Crafting maps

  1. Gather your materials: You’ll need eight pieces of paper and one compass.
  2. Open your crafting table: Arrange the paper around the compass in the crafting grid, leaving the center slot occupied by the compass.
  3. Craft the map: Collect your newly crafted empty map from the output slot.

Map crafting recipe

For those who prefer a visual guide, here’s the map crafting recipe:  

The recipe for crafting a map in Minecraft differs between Java Edition and Bedrock Edition.  

Java Edition

To craft a map in Java Edition, you’ll need the following:

  • 8 pieces of paper: Made from sugar cane.
  • 1 compass: Crafted with 4 iron ingots and 1 Redstone dust.  

Place the compass in the center of the crafting grid and surround it with the paper.

Imagem de Java Edition map crafting recipe

Bedrock Edition

In Bedrock Edition, you only need:

  • 9 pieces of paper  

Fill the entire crafting grid with paper to create a map.

Imagem de Bedrock Edition map crafting recipe

Expanding and exploring with maps

Once you have a basic map, you can expand its zoom level using a cartography table. This allows you to chart larger areas and explore further without needing to create multiple maps. 

Remember to use your map frequently to update its contents as you venture into new territory.

Read more: Top games that are cross platform You Can Play Anywhere

Community maps to download and inspire

Looking for some cartographic inspiration? The Minecraft community is brimming with talented mapmakers who create stunning and detailed maps of their worlds. 

You can find everything from intricate city maps to sprawling adventure maps available for download. Check out some popular Minecraft forums and websites to discover these amazing creations and get inspired for your own mapping projects.

ExitLag: builders tool to boost the connection

While you’re busy mapping out your Minecraft world, don’t let lag and latency interrupt your explorations. ExitLag optimizes your connection, reduces ping, and ensures a smooth, lag-free gaming experience. 

With ExitLag, you can focus on what matters most: charting new territories, discovering hidden treasures, and creating your own cartographic masterpieces. So, there you have it. Now you know how to make a map in Minecraft, from basic crafting to advanced techniques. Grab your compass, craft some maps, and embark on epic adventures. Happy exploring.

About The Author

Leandro Sandmann, graduated in Computer Science from FEI, is the co-founder of ExitLag, a company created to improve stability and internet connections for online games. He has been sharing his knowledge about games and technology through various channels, contributing to the Blog's articles.

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