Minecraft Map Art Generator: turn an image into Map Art

A preview in actual map colors, a materials list, a building plan, and a datapack with instructions through to the filled map. For an image on one map using the default settings (flat, with reference row), you need 16,512 blocks, for example: 128 × 128 for the image plus 128 for the reference row. The default palette offers 32 flat map colors or 96 shades with height levels. Build at the starting corner using /forceload add ~ ~-1 ~127 ~127, /function pixel_art:build, and then /forceload remove ~ ~-1 ~127 ~127.

Place the datapack in your world's datapacks folder and load it with /reload. Stand at the northwest corner of a map, load the chunks with /forceload add, run the displayed /function, then release the chunks with /forceload remove. Next, use an Empty Map on the finished image at the center of the map area. Lock it with a Glass Pane in a Cartography Table, and make copies with another Empty Map. All commands are listed step by step below the tool.

Unzoomed maps always cover exactly 128 × 128 blocks, and these areas follow a fixed grid: the X and Z coordinates of the northwest corner are both 128 × k − 64, for example −64 / −64. If your image is offset, it will span multiple maps. From the starting corner, the datapack builds east (+X) and south (+Z).

In flat mode, all blocks sit on one level, and each map color has one shade. With height levels (Staircase), a block appears lighter if the block north of it is lower, and darker if that block is higher. This gives each map color three shades, but creates a stepped landscape whose height you can limit with “Maximum build height.” The reference row north of the image ensures the first row is shaded correctly; you can turn it off.

The tool supports 1 × 1, 2 × 1, 1 × 2, and 2 × 2 maps (128 × 128 to 256 × 256 blocks): 16,384 to 65,536 blocks plus the reference row. The materials list shows the quantity of each block, broken down into stacks of 64, and the Shulker Boxes you'll need.

The tool selects one block per map color, preferring Wool, then Concrete, then Terracotta, then other blocks. Gravity-affected blocks like Sand are excluded because blocks can float in height mode. Choose a palette such as “Survival-friendly,” or pick your own blocks under “Choose individual blocks.” Your selected version filters out blocks not yet available in it.

You don't need Mods: the datapack (.zip) builds the image in vanilla Minecraft using /function, which requires operator permissions. You can also download .mcfunction files, the preview, and the building plan as PNGs. The tool does not export schematic or Litematica files.

The blocks, commands, and datapack are designed for Java Edition. Select your version in the tool so it only uses blocks available in that version. From Java 1.20.2 onward, the datapack works in all newer versions; for older versions, it only works in the selected version. The tool does not support Bedrock Edition.

The generator is free and requires no sign-in. Conversion, previews, and downloads happen in your browser; your image is not uploaded to a server.