Minecraft Region File Finder
Enter your in-game coordinates to find which .mca region file holds that area — handy for deleting, backing up or regenerating a specific part of your world.
r.0.0.mca How region files work
Minecraft (Java) saves the world in region files using the Anvil format. The math is two divisions: a chunk is 16×16 blocks, so chunk = floor(block ÷ 16); a region is 32×32 chunks (512×512 blocks), so region = floor(chunk ÷ 32). The file is named r.<regionX>.<regionZ>.mca.
Where region files live
- Overworld:
world/region/ - Nether:
world/DIM-1/region/ - End:
world/DIM1/region/
Deleting or regenerating a region
Delete a region file to force that 512×512 area to regenerate fresh on next load — useful for clearing a corrupted or laggy zone, or resetting terrain after a worldgen change. Back up your world first; deleting an .mca file permanently removes everything built in that area.
FAQ
What is a region (.mca) file?
Minecraft stores the world in region files inside the world/region folder using the Anvil format. Each .mca file holds a 32×32 area of chunks — 512×512 blocks, full world height.
How do I find which region file a coordinate is in?
Divide the block X and Z by 16 (round down) to get the chunk, then divide the chunk X and Z by 32 (round down). The file is r.<regionX>.<regionZ>.mca. The tool above does both steps for you.
Where are region files stored?
Java Edition: world/region (Overworld), world/DIM-1/region (Nether), world/DIM1/region (End). Bedrock uses a LevelDB database instead of .mca files, so this tool is for Java.
Why would I delete a region file?
To regenerate a corrupted or extremely laggy area, or to reset terrain so it generates fresh on next load (useful after a worldgen/datapack change). Always back up the world first — deletion is permanent.
How big is a region?
One region = 32×32 chunks = 512×512 blocks across X/Z, spanning the full build height.
How do I open or edit an .mca file?
Region files are binary (Anvil/NBT), so use a dedicated tool — MCA Selector, NBTExplorer or Amulet — not a text editor. MCA Selector also lets you select and delete individual chunks on a map without removing the whole region.
How do I fix a corrupted region or chunk?
Back up the world first, then use MCA Selector or Minecraft Region Fixer to locate and delete the corrupted chunks — the game regenerates them on next load. Deleting the whole r.x.z.mca file works if a large area is damaged.
What’s the difference between .mcr and .mca?
.mcr is the old McRegion format; .mca is the current Anvil format introduced in Minecraft 1.2. Modern worlds use .mca.