Minecraft download & install size
Minecraft needs roughly ~1–2 GB base (grows well beyond as worlds/mods are added), and the exact size varies by platform (see the table below).
| Platform | Download / install size |
|---|---|
| PC – Java Edition | ~1–2 GB base (grows well beyond as worlds/mods are added) |
| PC – Bedrock Edition (Windows) | ~1–1.5 GB base |
| Consoles (Bedrock) | ~1–3 GB base |
| Mobile (Bedrock, iOS/Android) | ~300 MB–1 GB base |
Sources · Last verified: July 12, 2026.
Minecraft's base install is famously tiny compared with modern AAA games: roughly 1 GB for the core Java or Bedrock client, and both official spec sheets list only ~1 GB of required free space (Mojang recommends allowing ~4 GB on Java). The reason is that the world itself is generated by an algorithm rather than shipped as pre-built assets, so the download is mostly code, textures and sounds. Install footprint then grows with use: every world you explore writes new chunk data to disk, so a heavily explored survival world can add hundreds of megabytes to several gigabytes on its own. Where the number really balloons is modding on Java Edition – large modpacks, shader packs and high-resolution resource/texture packs (plus the extra RAM they demand) can push a single instance past 5–10 GB. Bedrock stays leaner because it is more locked down and its marketplace content is streamed/managed. To reduce size you can delete unused worlds, prune old snapshot/version jars in the Java launcher, and remove unused resource packs. An SSD is not required but speeds up world loading and chunk generation, especially with render distance turned up or with mods.
Minecraft — frequently asked
How big is Minecraft and why does the install grow?
Sources
- Minecraft.net – Java & Bedrock Edition for PC (store/price)
- Minecraft Help – System Requirements for Minecraft: Java Edition
- Minecraft Wiki – Java Edition hardware requirements
- Minecraft Help – Java & Bedrock Edition for PC FAQ (editions/crossplay)
- Wikipedia – Minecraft (release, developer, platforms)
- Last verified: July 12, 2026. Sizes and specs can change with patches — tell us if something is out of date.