Seed maps are one of the most useful tools for finding what a world hides, but since they are third-party, it is understandable to be hesitant or have some confusion when seeing one for the first time. So, today, we explore how to use a Minecraft Seed Map alongside the settings in our Minecraft seed map guide.

Finding Your Preferred Seed Map

• ChunkBase’s Seed Map
• MC Seed Map

There are many options for seed maps, with two of the more popular options being ChunkBase’s Seed Map and MC Seed Map. ChunkBase’s Seed Map offers a very user-friendly interface with the commonly used filters and settings visibly displayed directly around the map. This makes it a great option for those jumping into seed maps for the first time, but it does have video ads. The other popular option, MC Seed Map, divides its filters and settings among five tabs just below the map. This can be a little confusing at first, but all the commonly used filters and settings are preset alongside a few others that allow for a more refined search, such as defining the Y level. MC Seed Map also has fewer ads. Ultimately, there is no wrong option between the two. It mostly comes down to preference. But since ChunkBase’s Seed Map tends to be the one encountered by users first, we will be proceeding with that map for this particular guide.

ChunkBase

Confined and concise, ChunkBase’s Seed Map can be divided into four sections: Seed, Feature Filter, Map, and Biome Filter. Below, we explore each one and detail step by step how to make full use of what these nifty sections offer.

Entering a Seed

Before the map can be used, a seed must be entered into the text box. By default, it will have a random seed that can be erased and replaced with a custom one. Alternatively, the “Random” button can be used for a new random seed, or the “Load from Save” button can be used to upload a level.dat file from within an existing world folder. World folders on Windows Java Edition are saved within the following directory:

• %appdata%\.minecraft\saves

After entering the seed through any of these methods, ensure that the “Version” drop-down menu is accurate to the Minecraft version the map is running. It will sadly not work otherwise.

Filtering Features

The features section allows users to select what world features they would like to have icons for on their map, such as villages or lava pools. All selected features are indicated by color and a blue border. In the image above, for example, we have spawn on the map indicated by the compass icon. The name that each image represents can be viewed by clicking the drop-down arrow to expand the feature menu.

Controlling the Map

The map can be moved with mouse button one, marked with mouse button two, and zoomed in and out with the scroll wheel. Those on mobile can similarly control the map by dragging it, pinching to zoom in and out, and pressing and holding to leave a marker. While doing so, shifting numbers along the top and left of the screen adjust to represent the X and Z coordinates that would similarly be found in game. Spawn, by default, can be found around 0,0.

Filtering Biomes

Finally, the biome filter can be used to highlight specific biomes on the map. This is done by selecting the “Highlight Biomes” drop-down menu and clicking any number of biomes inside. For underground biomes, it is important to note that they will only be visible if the “Biome Height” drop-down menu is set to underground. While not related to the biome filter, a tool for jumping to exact coordinates can be found right beneath it too. This is very convenient for returning to spawn by entering 0 for both and clicking “Go.”

Finding a Sulfur Mineshaft

Putting what was discussed to use, we can try finding a rare biome and structure combination. So, let’s dive in! A mineshaft within a sulfur caves biome is the only place in the entire game where the “Bounce” music disc can be found as loot within chests. This makes it very hard to find intentionally. That is, if you don’t have a seed map! First, enter or load your world’s seed with the correct version before heading to the feature filter and deselecting everything but “Biomes” and “Mineshaft.” After that, head down to the biome filter and select “Sulfur Caves” and ensure “Biome Height” is set to “Underground.” With those settings applied, drag the map until a sulfur caves biome with mineshaft icons on it is located. The coordinates can then be noted using a marker before heading there in-game to get “Bounce” at record speed.