"How many GB is Minecraft?" is one of the most searched questions about the game, and the answer is less straightforward than you might expect. The file size depends on which edition you play, how many worlds you have, whether you use mods and which platform you play on. This article lays out all the numbers for 2026 and also answers the question: what does Minecraft actually cost?
File size: Java Edition
Minecraft Java Edition is the version for Windows, macOS and Linux that you play through the Minecraft Launcher. The file size consists of several parts:
| Component | Size | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Minecraft Launcher | approx. 200 to 400 MB | The launcher that starts the game and manages updates. |
| Game files (26.x) | approx. 400 to 600 MB | The actual game files for the active version. |
| Java runtime | approx. 200 to 300 MB | The launcher installs the correct Java version automatically. |
| Total (base) | approx. 800 MB to 1.3 GB | Without worlds, mods or extra versions. |
This is the base installation. In practice the folder grows quickly because the launcher keeps older versions (if you have played them) and because worlds take up storage.
File size: Bedrock Edition
Bedrock Edition is available on Windows (via the Microsoft Store), Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, iOS and Android. The file size varies by platform:
| Platform | Size (approximate) |
|---|---|
| Windows (Microsoft Store) | 1 to 1.5 GB |
| Xbox Series X/S | 1.5 to 2 GB |
| PlayStation 5 | 1.5 to 2 GB |
| Nintendo Switch | 1 to 1.5 GB |
| iOS / Android | 400 to 800 MB |
Bedrock Edition does not include the Java runtime separately (it is built in) and is generally more compact than Java Edition. Marketplace content (skins, worlds, texture packs) you download is on top of that.
How much storage does a world use?
A Minecraft world starts small but grows as you explore. Every chunk (an area of 16x16 blocks, from bedrock to the build height) is saved the first time you visit it. The more you explore, the larger the world becomes.
Approximate sizes:
- New world, just created: 5 to 20 MB.
- After a few hours of playing: 50 to 200 MB.
- Extensively explored survival world: 500 MB to 2 GB.
- Large multiplayer world with many builds: 2 to 10 GB.
- Extreme cases (servers with years of data): 20 GB or more.
The size depends heavily on how much terrain has been explored. A player who always builds near spawn generates fewer chunks than someone who has traveled thousands of blocks in every direction. The Nether and End count as separate folders and add to the total.
Tip: if you want to save storage, set a world border. That prevents players from traveling infinitely far and constantly generating new chunks.
RAM usage: how much memory does Minecraft need?
RAM is the working memory Minecraft uses while running. Too little RAM leads to lag, stuttering and crashes. The requirements vary considerably by situation:
Singleplayer (your own computer)
| Situation | Recommended RAM allocation |
|---|---|
| Vanilla, no shaders | 2 to 4 GB |
| With shaders (Iris/OptiFine) | 4 to 6 GB |
| Light modpack (10 to 30 mods) | 4 to 6 GB |
| Heavy modpack (100+ mods) | 6 to 10 GB |
In the Minecraft Launcher you set the RAM allocation in the profile (Installations, choose your profile, More Options, and adjust the number after -Xmx). Do not allocate more than half of the total RAM in your computer; the operating system and other programs need memory too.
Multiplayer server
| Situation | Recommended server RAM |
|---|---|
| Vanilla, 1 to 5 players | 2 GB |
| Vanilla, 5 to 15 players | 3 to 4 GB |
| Plugins (Paper), 10 to 30 players | 4 to 6 GB |
| Modpack, 5 to 10 players | 6 to 8 GB |
| Large modpack, 10 to 30 players | 8 to 16 GB |
On a server, the RAM counts only the server process. The graphics card plays no role because a server does not render any visuals.
Total disk space: a realistic picture
If you play Minecraft Java Edition with a handful of worlds and a modpack, the total looks roughly like this:
- Launcher + game files: 1 to 1.5 GB
- One or two worlds: 0.5 to 2 GB
- Modpack (Fabric or NeoForge + mods): 1 to 5 GB
- Resource packs and shaders: 0.2 to 1 GB
- Total: approx. 3 to 10 GB
Without mods and with limited exploration you can easily get by on 2 to 3 GB. An avid player with multiple modpacks and large worlds can go toward 15 to 20 GB. For most players, 10 GB is more than enough.
What does Minecraft cost in 2026?
Minecraft is a one-time purchase; there is no monthly subscription required to play the game itself.
| Edition | Platform | Price (approx., 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Java Edition | Windows, macOS, Linux | 29.99 EUR |
| Bedrock Edition | Windows (MS Store) | 29.99 EUR |
| Bedrock Edition | Xbox, PlayStation | 19.99 to 29.99 EUR |
| Bedrock Edition | Nintendo Switch | 29.99 EUR |
| Bedrock Edition | iOS / Android | 6.99 to 7.99 EUR |
Java and Bedrock together: if you buy Minecraft via minecraft.net for Windows, you get both Java Edition and Bedrock Edition since 2022. You pay once and have access to both versions.
Xbox Game Pass: Minecraft Bedrock Edition is included with Xbox Game Pass (both the console and PC version). You do not need to buy the game separately as long as you have an active subscription. Java Edition is not included with Game Pass.
Realms: Minecraft Realms is Mojang's own hosting service. Realms for Java Edition costs approx. 7.99 EUR per month for a maximum of 10 players. Realms for Bedrock costs approx. 3.99 EUR per month (Realms) or 7.99 EUR per month (Realms Plus, including Marketplace content). Realms is the simplest way to play with friends, but offers limited customization: no mods (Java), no plugins and no custom server software.
Does Minecraft cost money after purchase?
The game itself does not. After the one-time purchase you can play Minecraft indefinitely, including all future updates. There are no mandatory microtransactions and no season pass. You can achieve everything in the game without paying extra.
Optional costs you may encounter:
- Marketplace content (Bedrock): skins, worlds and texture packs in the Marketplace cost Minecoins (the in-game currency). Minecoins are bought with real money. This is entirely optional.
- Server hosting: if you want to run a server for multiplayer, you can host it for free on your own computer, but a rented server offers better performance and 24/7 availability (see below).
- Realms: the monthly subscription for Mojang's own hosting mentioned earlier.
Free Minecraft server vs paid hosting
There are free hosting services like Aternos and Minehut. They are popular, but have limitations:
- Queue. With Aternos you join a queue before your server starts up. This can take minutes to tens of minutes, depending on how busy it is.
- Automatic shutdown. The server turns off when nobody is online. Players have to wait until someone starts the server again.
- Limited performance. Free servers run on shared hardware with little RAM. With more than five players or a few plugins you will notice.
- No guarantees. No SLA, no guaranteed uptime, no priority during outages.
- Ads. Some free services show advertisements in the panel or require you to click links to start the server.
For a friend server with two or three players who play occasionally, a free service is perfectly fine. If you want a serious server with plugins, mods and regular players, paid hosting is the better choice.
What does a Minecraft server cost at a host?
Prices for Minecraft server hosting vary by provider and plan. Typical prices in 2026:
| RAM | Suited for | Price indication (per month) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 GB | Vanilla, 1 to 5 players | 2 to 5 EUR |
| 4 GB | Plugins, 5 to 15 players | 4 to 10 EUR |
| 6 GB | Light modpack, 10 to 20 players | 6 to 15 EUR |
| 8 GB | Heavier modpack, 15 to 30 players | 8 to 20 EUR |
| 12 to 16 GB | Large modpack, 20 to 50 players | 12 to 40 EUR |
At HostValues Minecraft hosting starts from 1.40 EUR per GB per month. All plans can be cancelled monthly and include DDoS protection, the Pterodactyl game panel, automatic backup options and support.
How much storage does a Minecraft server use?
A Minecraft server uses less disk space than you might think. The server.jar (the server program) is under 50 MB. The world grows gradually, just like in singleplayer. Plugins and mods add a bit on top of that.
Indicative for a server:
- Fresh Vanilla server: under 100 MB.
- After a month of play (small community): 200 MB to 1 GB.
- After half a year (active server, 10+ players): 1 to 5 GB.
- Large server with plugins, Dynmap and an extensive world: 5 to 20 GB.
Dynmap (a plugin that renders a map of your world) is by far the biggest storage consumer. The map files can grow to several gigabytes. If storage is a concern, consider limiting Dynmap's render distance.
Can I play Minecraft on an old computer?
Minecraft is not particularly demanding, but there are minimum requirements. For Java Edition in 2026 (version 26.x) you need at least:
- Processor: Intel Core i3 or AMD equivalent (from 2015 or newer).
- RAM: 4 GB total (of which 2 GB for Minecraft).
- Graphics card: OpenGL 4.6 support. Integrated graphics (Intel UHD, AMD Vega) work but give lower frame rates.
- Disk space: at least 2 GB free, 5 GB recommended.
- Java: included automatically by the launcher.
Bedrock Edition generally runs smoother on the same hardware because it is better optimized for lower specs. On an older laptop, Bedrock is often the better choice.
Want to play Java Edition on a weaker computer? Install Sodium (Fabric) or OptiFine (Forge). Both mods optimize rendering and can double your frame rate or more. Also lower the render distance (8 to 12 chunks) and turn off fancy graphics.
How large does Minecraft get after updates?
Every major update adds new content (blocks, items, mobs, biomes), but Minecraft does not grow quickly in file size. An update from 26.2 to 26.3 typically adds 10 to 50 MB of game files. The real growth is in your worlds: new biomes and structures are generated in chunks you visit for the first time, and those chunks cost storage. Over multiple years and many updates your .minecraft folder can grow to tens of gigabytes, but that is almost entirely due to world data rather than the game itself.
Summary
Minecraft is compact for a game with so much content. The base installation of Java Edition is under 1.5 GB, and with a world and some mods you are around 3 to 10 GB. Bedrock Edition is even smaller. The game costs a one-time fee of approx. 29.99 EUR (on PC) and after that you pay nothing more for the game itself. You can run your own server for free through services like Aternos, but for serious use, paid hosting starting at a few euros per month is the more reliable option.
Looking for a Minecraft server? Check out the Minecraft hosting plans at HostValues, with prices from 1.40 EUR per GB, servers in the Netherlands and instant delivery after payment.
