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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →There is no single Minecraft system-requirements table. Java Edition, Bedrock Edition, Minecraft Education, Dungeons, Legends, and Bedrock Dedicated Server have different hardware and platform rules. Mojang also raised Java Edition’s official baseline on July 21, 2026: the minimum target is 1080p at 30 frames per second on Fast settings, while the recommended target is 1080p at 60 FPS on Fancy settings. Windows PC buyers receive both Java and Bedrock, but Mac and Linux desktops use Java as the native edition. Mobile and console versions are Bedrock and should be checked through their platform listings rather than Windows PC specifications.
Quick comparison
| Product | Main platforms | Published baseline | Important caveat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minecraft: Java Edition | Windows, macOS, Linux | 8–12 GB RAM minimum; 16 GB recommended; Vulkan 1.3 graphics minimum target | Current requirements are substantially higher than older guides report |
| Minecraft Bedrock for Windows | Windows 10/11 PC | 4 GB RAM minimum; 8 GB recommended | These figures apply to Windows PC, not every phone or console |
| Bedrock mobile and consoles | Android, iOS/iPadOS, Xbox, PlayStation, Switch | Platform-specific compatibility | No universal CPU/GPU/RAM table is published |
| Minecraft Education | Windows, macOS, Chromebook, iPhone/iPad, Android | 2 GB RAM on computers; 1 GB on mobile | Older minimum versions may not receive fixes for current or future bugs |
| Minecraft Dungeons | Windows PC and supported consoles | Recommended: 8 GB RAM, Core i5-class CPU, DirectX 11 GPU | The current Windows page does not fully populate every minimum field |
| Minecraft Legends | Windows PC and supported consoles | 8 GB RAM minimum and recommended; DirectX 12 | Minimum and recommended graphics cards differ |
| Bedrock Dedicated Server | Windows and Ubuntu | 4 GB RAM, broadband internet | Player count and simulation settings can require much more |
Official references: Java requirements, Java and Windows Bedrock PC listing, edition comparison.
Minecraft Java Edition requirements
Minimum target
Mojang’s updated minimum is aimed at 1080p, 30 FPS, using the Fast graphics preset.
| Component | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 10 64-bit, Windows on ARM, macOS 12 or later, or 64-bit Linux |
| Architecture | x64 or ARM64 |
| Memory | 8 GB with a discrete GPU, or 12 GB with integrated graphics |
| Processor examples | Intel Core i3-10100, AMD Ryzen 3 3100, Qualcomm Snapdragon X, or Apple M1; at least four physical cores |
| Graphics | Vulkan 1.3-capable GPU and at least 2 GB VRAM where applicable |
| Graphics examples | NVIDIA GTX 950 or newer, Radeon RX 460 or newer, Intel Arc A310 or newer, Intel i5-6400 or newer integrated graphics, Apple M1 or newer, or Snapdragon X |
Recommended target
The recommended target is 1080p, 60 FPS, on Fancy settings.
#1 Best Overall
- DELUXE COLLECTION — Includes the base game, three add-ons (Celebration Food, Rescue Dogs, and Plenty O’ Blocks), three exclusive Character Creator items, and 700 Minecoins.
- CREATE — Build whatever you can imagine in your own infinite world that’s unique in every playthrough.
- EXPLORE — Discover biomes, resources, and mobs, and craft your way through a world filled with surprises in the ultimate sandbox game.
- SURVIVE — Experience unforgettable adventures as you face mysterious foes, traverse exciting landscapes, and travel to perilous dimensions.
- PLAY TOGETHER — Have a blast with friends, whether you’re sitting on the same couch in split screen or miles apart in cross-platform play for console, mobile, and PC.
| Component | Recommended |
|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 11 64-bit, macOS 14 or later, or 64-bit Linux |
| Architecture | x64 or ARM64 |
| Memory | 16 GB |
| Processor examples | Intel Core i5-12400, AMD Ryzen 5 5600, or Apple M2 Pro |
| Graphics examples | NVIDIA RTX 2060, AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT, Intel Arc A580, or Apple M2 Pro |
| Video memory | 6 GB VRAM |
Older computers may still launch Java, but Mojang no longer guarantees performance or visual quality below this new baseline. Future updates may expose driver or compatibility problems, particularly on older integrated graphics and some Intel Macs as Java moves away from OpenGL toward Vulkan. Meeting the RAM figure alone is not enough: a system without Vulkan 1.3 support does not meet the current minimum target.
Windows users must use at least Windows 10 and Mac users at least macOS 10.15 for online play and continued Launcher updates under Mojang’s March 2025 policy; that policy is separate from the newer Java hardware table. Install and manage the game with the official Launcher.
Minecraft Bedrock Edition for Windows
“Minecraft for Windows” is Bedrock Edition. The Windows PC purchase called Minecraft: Java & Bedrock Edition for PC includes both editions.
| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 10 version 19041.0 or later | Windows 10 version 19041.0 or later |
| Architecture | ARM, x64, or x86 | ARM, x64, or x86 |
| Memory | 4 GB | 8 GB |
| Processor examples | Intel Celeron J4105 or AMD FX-4100 | Intel Core i7-6500U or AMD A8-6600K |
| Graphics examples | Intel HD Graphics 4000 or AMD Radeon R5 | NVIDIA GeForce 940M or AMD Radeon HD 8570D |
| VR hardware | Not specified | Windows Mixed Reality motion controllers and immersive headset |
| Listed game storage | 4 GB | 8 GB |
The Java listing gives 2 GB minimum and 4 GB recommended storage. These are published game-storage figures, not a promise that the complete installation, launcher cache, worlds, add-ons, resource packs, shaders, and backups will fit exactly. Keep additional free space for updates and user content.
Rank #2
- ULTIMATE COLLECTION — Includes the base game, five add-ons (Celebration Food, Rescue Dogs, Plenty O’ Blocks, Decocraft, and Weapons + Tools), five exclusive Character Creator items, and 1000 Minecoins.
- CREATE — Build whatever you can imagine in your own infinite world that’s unique in every playthrough.
- EXPLORE — Discover biomes, resources, and mobs, and craft your way through a world filled with surprises in the ultimate sandbox game.
- SURVIVE — Experience unforgettable adventures as you face mysterious foes, traverse exciting landscapes, and travel to perilous dimensions.
- PLAY TOGETHER — Have a blast with friends, whether you’re sitting on the same couch in split screen or miles apart in cross-platform play for console, mobile, and PC.
Bedrock’s listed Windows requirements are lower and it is generally easier to run on modest hardware, but that does not guarantee higher frame rates in every world. Render distance, simulation distance, add-ons, recording, and enhanced visuals still increase the workload.
Bedrock on phones, tablets, consoles, and Chromebook
Android and iPhone/iPad
Android and iOS/iPadOS Minecraft are Bedrock. Mojang does not publish one meaningful CPU, GPU, and RAM table for every phone because device hardware varies widely. Check the current Google Play or Apple App Store compatibility result for the exact model and operating-system version. Leave storage beyond the download size and expect older devices to struggle with large worlds, multiplayer, add-ons, or enhanced graphics. Touch controls and compatible controllers are supported in Bedrock. See Mojang’s edition comparison.
Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch
Current console Minecraft is Bedrock on Xbox One and Series consoles, PlayStation 4 and 5, and Nintendo Switch. Consoles are evaluated by platform compatibility, available storage, and supported features rather than user-upgradable CPU, GPU, and RAM specifications. Newer generations generally provide more performance headroom, but a feature such as enhanced visuals may have its own device list.
A Microsoft account is used alongside the relevant platform account; Mojang documents these requirements at Accounts Required to Play Minecraft. Console online play may require Xbox Live Gold, PlayStation Plus, or Nintendo Switch Online; subscription names and policies can change, so verify the current platform rule at purchase. Mojang’s Realms guidance is at Minecraft Realms.
Rank #3
- Create and shape an infinite world, explore varied biomes filled with creatures and surprises, and go on thrilling adventures to perilous places and face mysterious foes.
- Play with friends across devices or in local multiplayer.
- Connect with millions of players on community servers, or subscribe to Realms Plus to play with up to 10 friends on your own private server.
- Get creator-made add-ons, thrilling worlds, and stylish cosmetics on Minecraft Marketplace; subscribe to Marketplace Pass (or Realms Plus) to access 150+ worlds, skin & textures packs, and more—refreshed monthly.
Chromebook
Supported Chromebooks can run Bedrock through the supported distribution channel, but Mojang’s general consumer listing does not provide a complete Chromebook hardware table. Verify the exact Chromebook model, ChromeOS version, and store compatibility. Minecraft Education has separate Chromebook requirements below. A Linux Java installation on a Chromebook is a different technical setup and is not equivalent to official Bedrock support.
Vibrant Visuals
Feature-specific visual upgrades have their own compatibility examples. Mojang lists Android Adreno 640, Mali-G68, Mali-G77, or Xclipse 530 and newer; iOS A12 or M1 and newer; and PC Minecraft running on DirectX 12, plus selected Xbox Series, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5 devices. These are not the base Bedrock requirements. Details are in Mojang’s Vibrant Visuals information.
Minecraft Education requirements
Minecraft Education publishes separate minimum supported versions at its licensing page. The page warns that devices meeting an older minimum may run the app without receiving fixes for current or future bugs.
| Platform | Minimum operating system | CPU and graphics | Memory | Storage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windows | Windows 10 and later | Intel Core i3-4150 or AMD A8-6600K; Intel HD 4400 or Radeon R5 integrated graphics, or NVIDIA GeForce 400/Radeon HD 8000 discrete graphics; OpenGL 4.4 | 2 GB | At least 2 GB for the game, maps, and files |
| macOS | macOS Big Sur 11 and later | Same CPU, graphics, and OpenGL baseline as Windows | 2 GB | At least 2 GB |
| Chromebook | ChromeOS 83 and later | Same CPU and graphics baseline; OpenGL 4.4 | 2 GB | At least 2 GB |
| iPhone/iPad | iOS/iPadOS 11 and later | Not stated as a CPU/GPU table | 1 GB | Not separately stated |
| Android | Android 8.0 and later | 32-bit or 64-bit CPU architecture | 1 GB | At least 2 GB |
Minecraft Dungeons requirements
Dungeons is a separate action-adventure game, not another Minecraft sandbox edition. Its current Windows listing at Minecraft Dungeons shows these recommended requirements:
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Rank #4
- Skins! We have biome settlers, city folk, town folk, and more!
- The Nether and all its inhabitants. Fight Ghasts and make friends with Pigmen
- Cross platform play for up to five players between Pocket Edition and Windows 10
- Revamped touch controls, controller support, and a controller mapping screen
- Enhanced Weather effects! Accumulating snow and more
| Component | Recommended |
|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 10 version 18362.0 or later |
| Architecture | x64 |
| Processor | Intel Core i5 at 2.8 GHz or equivalent |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660, AMD Radeon HD 7870, or equivalent DirectX 11 GPU |
| DirectX | Version 11 |
| Memory | 8 GB |
| Video memory | 2 GB |
The page currently displays a minimum-requirements heading but does not populate all minimum CPU, graphics, DirectX, memory, and VRAM fields. Do not substitute the recommended values as a claimed minimum.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Minecraft Legends requirements
Legends is a separate action-strategy game. Its Windows requirements are listed at Minecraft Legends Standard Edition.
| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 10 version 18362.0 or later | Windows 10 version 18362.0 or later |
| Architecture | x64 | x64 |
| Processor | Intel Core i5 at 2.8 GHz or equivalent | Intel Core i5 at 3.4 GHz or equivalent |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GTX 780, AMD Radeon 285, Intel HD 520, or equivalent | NVIDIA GTX 1060 or AMD FX-4100 Graphics |
| DirectX | DirectX 12 API with hardware feature level 11 | DirectX 12 API with hardware feature level 11 |
| Memory | 8 GB | 8 GB |
“Hardware feature level 11” is not the same wording as requiring only DirectX 11: the table specifies a DirectX 12 API plus feature level 11 hardware.
Bedrock Dedicated Server requirements
These are requirements for the server software, not for a player’s Minecraft client. Mojang lists them at Bedrock Dedicated Server.
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Best Value
- Play and share with friends on console, mobile and Windows 10
- discover community creations in the new in-game store
- access new mini games and game modes through servers
| Component | Published baseline |
|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Core i3-3210, AMD A8-7600 APU, or equivalent |
| Memory | 4 GB |
| Storage | 180 MB to 1 GB available |
| Network | Broadband internet connection |
| Windows | Windows 10 version 10.0.15063 or later, or Windows Server 2016 or later |
| Linux | Ubuntu 22.04 LTS or later |
Large worlds, many players, high simulation distance, add-ons, backups, and limited upload bandwidth can require substantially more. The official download page does not mean every Linux distribution is supported.
Which edition should you choose?
- Choose Java for traditional mods, Java servers, and desktop flexibility on Windows, macOS, or Linux.
- Choose Bedrock for console or mobile play, touch and controller support, and cross-play among Windows, Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, and mobile players.
- Choose Education for school, institutional, or lesson-focused use with the required licensing.
- Choose Dungeons or Legends only if you want their separate action-adventure or action-strategy formats.
- Use Bedrock Dedicated Server when you want to manage your own Bedrock server and can handle updates, security, backups, and network configuration.
Java and Bedrock are separate multiplayer ecosystems: Java players play with Java players, while Bedrock cross-play uses the Bedrock ecosystem. A Windows PC purchase includes both, but owning one edition does not make the other edition available on Mac, Linux, mobile, or consoles.
How to check whether your device qualifies
- Identify the product. On Windows, compare both Java and Bedrock. On Mac or Linux, compare Java. On mobile, consoles, and Chromebook, use the platform-specific listing.
- Check Windows specifications. Open Settings → System → About for Windows version, RAM, architecture, and CPU. Use Task Manager → Performance for CPU, memory, and GPU. Open Settings → System → Storage for free space.
- Check a Mac. Open Apple menu → About This Mac, or System Settings → General → About. Record the macOS version, available storage, and whether the Mac uses Apple silicon or Intel.
- Check Linux. Use your distribution’s system-information tool or commands such as
lscpu,free -h, andlsblk. Verify Vulkan support for current Java compatibility and do not assume every distribution has identical support. - Compare the weakest requirement. A laptop with enough RAM but no Vulkan 1.3 support does not meet Java’s current minimum target. Likewise, an old operating system can fail even when the hardware is fast enough.
- Classify the result. Meeting minimum means the published baseline should be attainable under its stated conditions. Below minimum may still launch, but performance and future compatibility are not guaranteed. Recommended hardware is the better target for stable play, higher distances, multiplayer, and fewer compromises.
When a device barely qualifies
- Lower Java render distance and simulation distance; use Fast graphics.
- Close browsers, launchers, recording software, and other background applications.
- Avoid shaders and high-resolution texture packs on borderline hardware.
- Update the operating system and graphics drivers, then use the official Launcher.
- Keep substantially more free storage than the listed game figure for worlds, caches, add-ons, backups, and updates.
- Back up important worlds before installing mods or changing loaders.
- For a dedicated server, reduce view and simulation distance and monitor CPU, memory, and upload bandwidth.
The Bottom Line
For a new Windows PC, target the current Java recommended class if you want the widest margin: 16 GB RAM, a modern four-core-or-better processor, Vulkan 1.3 graphics, and about 6 GB of VRAM. Bedrock’s official Windows baseline is much lighter, while phones, consoles, Chromebooks, Education, Dungeons, Legends, and dedicated servers must be judged against their own platform-specific requirements.
Quick Recap
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.
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