How Big Is A Chunk In Minecraft?

We all love Minecraft. Whether we grew up playing it during its first release back in 2011 or have picked it up later down the line, we have all been guilty of spending too much time hunting for diamonds, building mansions, or exploring the seemingly endless world that makes Minecraft, Minecraft.

If you still actively play or get the urge to once again play the game that occurs a few times a year, then you will have noticed Minecraft is a completely different game from what it started out as, yet with all the changes, it still has that same old Minecraft feeling.

Many of us have wondered how large our Minecraft world truly is. There is a definitive answer, and we will discuss it later but before we learn the size of the world we inhabit, let’s find out what a chunk is and how large they are.

What Is A Chunk?

So if you do not know what a chunk is before we discuss the size of them, let’s find out what they are.

A chunk is an area of blocks that extend from the top to the bottom of the world. Every time you cause the game to spawn new terrain, the land that generates spawns in chunks.

So why is the chunk not different when you adventure far from where you built your home and then return?

As land loads, the chunks far away will not be present until you are close enough to spawn. However, as you return to your base, the game will have the previously loaded chunks stored in the database, meaning you will still have the same chunks.

The Size Of A Chunk?

So now we know what a chunk is, let’s go into detail about the makeup of a chunk. Simply put, a chunk is a 256-block tall, 16×16 segment that makes up a world in Minecraft.

The game generates these chunks to break the game into smaller sections that are much easier to map out for the game’s engine.

Chunks are the foundation for any Minecraft seed. To put it plainly, there would be no world generation without a chunk.

All in all, a chunk measures 65,536 blocks compared to the 30 million blocks in every direction of a game world, it seems relatively small, but these chunks are needed to effectively create a world.

Vertical Distance Of A Chunk

Each chunk in Minecraft will begin at the lowest layer of the world, right up to the very highest layer.

So, with this, there is a vertical limit, meaning that at a certain point, you won’t be able to go up any higher.

The lowest layer is usually referred to as “layer 0” or “layer 1”, but others call it “layer -64,” which is in reference to its Y coordinate, being that this level is around 64 blocks below sea level.

This is where you’ll find Bedrock, which cannot be destroyed in any capacity.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, you have the highest point of a chunk, which is around 320 blocks above sea level, but this is more commonly referred to as the “build limit”.

The name is exactly as you’d guess. You cannot place any blocks above layer 320.

Chunk Generation

The chunk generation works in an interesting way. If you have the seed number for a specific world, you will create a world that is exactly the same as the previous world.

Everything will spawn in the same place (for the most part), and everything will be in the same places, like Ocean Monuments and Nether Fortresses.

The only thing that won’t be carried over is anything you’ve built in the previous load, so just be aware of that.

Map Seeds And Chunk Generation

The main thing that would affect how generating an old seed works would be the game’s version number and the map generator. To avoid this, you can set the map generation up from the menu prior to creating a new world.

Regarding the version number, this is just what version of the game you’re playing on. If you have recently updated the game, a new update may not allow old worlds from spawning as they used to.

So why would you use an old seed if you know where everything will be?

Well, people like to use this mechanic to begin afresh in a world where they like the layout. Knowing beforehand where everything is and where everything will spawn can make the game much easier and enjoyable for some people.

What About Events In Pre-Loaded Chunks?

You’ll only have certain events happen in loaded chunks. These events usually pertain to mob spawning of all types, as these mobs cannot exist in chunks that have not been loaded yet.

Even your pets, such as dogs, cats, or horses, will not stay generated, but as long as you give them a name tag, they’ll stay loaded in your game.

Farming will also require you to stay relatively close, as crops will only grow in loaded chunks.

This usually requires planning to ensure that your crops grow while you’re away. A good idea would be to build your farm over where you mine, as your crops will continue to grow, even whilst you’re away.

Sometimes, in worlds where chunk spawning is quite slow, you may find tame mobs, such as your dog trapped in an unloaded chunk.

So, if you find that your pet is missing, make sure to retrace your steps into chunks previously loaded.

This will allow the chunk where your pet is stuck to reload, and you’ll find that the pet is instantly teleported back to your side.

This is unless the pet was told to sit; in that case, the pet will load, but it will not teleport back to you.