Arnis is a free, open-source third-party tool that turns real-world map and elevation data into playable Minecraft worlds. Choose a location, draw an area, select a supported world format, and generate it. How closely the result resembles your hometown depends on how much local detail has been mapped.
What Arnis creates
Arnis uses OpenStreetMap data and elevation data to build terrain, buildings, roads, and other mapped features as a Minecraft world. The project describes its output as worlds reflecting real-world geography, topography, and architecture. It supports Minecraft Java Edition 1.17 and newer, Bedrock Edition, and Luanti.
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It is a geographic representation, not a guaranteed one-to-one replica. OpenStreetMap is maintained by contributors, so unmapped buildings or other missing details will not appear in the generated world.
How to generate a map of your hometown
- Get Arnis from an official source. Use the official Arnis site or the Arnis GitHub project; the project directs users to those sources for downloads.
- Choose a location and draw an area. Use the rectangle tool to select the part of town you want to include. For a first attempt, choose a small area with good map coverage rather than a large region that may be sparse or take longer to generate.
- Select the world type and available settings. Choose the output format for the game you use. Adjust options such as scale or spawn point where available.
- Start generation. Once the world has been created, use the appropriate output: Java worlds are saved in Minecraft’s saves folder, while Bedrock worlds are provided as
.mcworldfiles.
Check map coverage before generating
The detail of the result depends on the OpenStreetMap data for the selected area. The Arnis guide warns that buildings can be missing where contributors have not mapped them. Inspect the area on OpenStreetMap before generating, and begin with a well-mapped neighborhood to see what level of detail to expect.
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#1 Best Overall
- Minecraft is a game about placing blocks and going on adventures
- Explore randomly generated worlds and build amazing things from the simplest of homes to the grandest of castles
- Play in creative mode with unlimited resources or mine deep into the world in survival mode, crafting weapons and armor to fend off the dangerous mobs
- Play on the go in handheld or tabletop modes
- Includes Super Mario Mash-Up, Natural Texture Pack, Biome Settlers Skin Pack, Battle & Beasts Skin Pack, Campfire Tales Skin Pack; Compatible with Nintendo Switch only
Area size also matters: larger selections contain more data to process. Arnis release notes describe scale-aware area warnings, which can help flag selections that may be too large for the chosen scale.
Desktop Arnis or browser-based MapSmith?
| Option | Best suited to | Cost and access |
|---|---|---|
| Arnis desktop app | People able to install software who want the free desktop generator. | Free and open source, according to the project guide. |
| MapSmith | People who prefer browser-based generation, including on mobile. | The Arnis guide says checkout prices start at €3 for small areas; check the service for current pricing. |
MapSmith is an option for browser use, not a requirement for using Arnis. The project guide describes it as a way to generate worlds in a browser.
Rank #2
- Explore randomly-generated worlds and build amazing things from the simplest of homes to the grandest of castles
- Play in Creative Mode with unlimited resources or mine deep into the world in survival mode, crafting weapons and armour to fend off the dangerous mobs
Current release and compatibility
The Arnis releases page lists version 3.3.0, released October 5, 2026, as the latest visible release. Its notes include One World for a persistent Java world, optional caves, updated building interiors, road markings, terrain controls, and performance improvements. Consult the official releases page for the latest version and details before downloading.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is Arnis an official Minecraft product?
No. Arnis is a third-party project, and its own disclaimer says it is not an official Minecraft product and is not approved by or associated with Mojang or Microsoft. Use it as an independent world-generation tool.
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Best Value
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Rank #3
- Minecraft is a game about placing blocks and going on adventures
- Explore randomly generated worlds and build amazing things from the simplest of homes to the grandest of castles
- Play in creative mode with unlimited resources or mine deep into the world in survival mode, crafting weapons and armor to fend off the dangerous mobs
- Play on the go in handheld or tabletop modes
- Includes Super Mario Mash-Up, Natural Texture Pack, Biome Settlers Skin Pack, Battle & Beasts Skin Pack, Campfire Tales Skin Pack; Compatible with Nintendo Switch only
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
