Minecraft map art from any image

Drop an image and get a staircased build for the map item. Colors come from the game's map color table (61 base colors) and shades from height differences between neighboring blocks, exactly the way the game renders maps. The preview shows the map as it will look in your hand, the 3D view shows what to build. Export to .litematic or .schem.

How it works

1. Drag an image in: it is fitted into a grid of 128×128 maps keeping the aspect ratio.
2. Choose how many maps across and down — up to 4×4.
3. Staircasing gives three shades of every color; turn it off for a flat 60-color map.
4. Dithering smooths gradients; the Minecraft version filter drops blocks that don't exist yet.
5. Download .litematic or .schem and build it with north up — the support row north of the map is already in the schematic.

FAQ

Why is the build staircased?

A Minecraft map shades each pixel by the height difference with its northern neighbor: higher is lighter, lower is darker. One block of difference is enough, so the schematic steps up and down along each column.

How do I align it with the map in the world?

Map areas snap to a 128×128 grid. Place the build so its top-left corner matches a map corner, with the support row to the north.

Which blocks does it use?

One convenient block per map color: wool and terracotta, diorite, prismarine bricks, spruce planks and others. Any block with the same map color can be substituted.

How many maps can I make?

Up to 4 per side; a 4×4 grid hits the preview limit, 4×3 works.

See also: Pixel art from an image · Minecraft builder tools