From frosted mountain peaks to the Nether’s lava rivers, Minecraft‘s biomes can be as beautiful as they are harsh. With so much to craft and do, it can be easy to forget one of the game’s best features: an endless world to explore. Wandering directionless through sprawling forests and rolling hills is even less fun than it sounds, however. A good map will keep you on track, cutting down on aimless walking. That lets you get straight to the fun, Creeper bombs and all. Here’s how to make a locator map and get familiar with your surroundings in Minecraft.
Minecraft Locator Map Guide
Maps can make the difference between getting home safely and dying in a mangrove swamp, making them must-have items. Crafting a locator map requires paper and a compass. You can craft paper using Sugar Cane x3. If you don’t already have a compass, you can craft one using Redstone Dust x1 and Iron Ingots x4. Once you have the ingredients, here’s what you need to do:
- Craft or find a Crafting Table to use
- Place a compass in the center of the crafting grid
- Place paper in the eight surrounding spots (pictured above)
- Hold the map and press the “Use Item” button to activate it
You can also find empty maps in shipwrecks, strongholds, and villages. That makes looting a viable option if you don’t want to make your own locator map in Minecraft. Remember, however, that you’ll need to activate your map (filling it with geographic details) before using it. Once activated, the map will record nearby terrain and location markers. It might not save you from the Ender Dragon, but at least it can help keep you from wandering off a cliff or into a bottomless pit. Safe travels, miner!
