Minecraft:Pack format

Pack format, sometimes referred to as pack version, is a number used in Template:Mono to describe what Template:Edition versions a Minecraft:resource pack or Minecraft:data pack is compatible with. Each version specifies the pack formats it supports in its Template:Mono. The pack format can be obtained by running Template:Cmd, or using the F3 + V Minecraft:debug hotkey.

Pack formats help Minecraft identify whether a resource or data pack was built for the correct version of the game. If the format number in a pack's Template:Mono file is higher than the one the game supports, the pack appears as "incompatible". This system ensures that new pack features introduced in later versions do not cause crashes or missing content in older ones.

Technical details

Each pack format corresponds to specific internal changes in how Minecraft reads data or assets. These include updates to registries, loot tables, tags, advancements, and model syntax. Both resource packs and data packs use the same numbering system but apply it differently:

• Data packs focus on gameplay logic – structures, recipes, tags, loot tables, and functions.
• Resource packs deal with textures, models, block states, sounds, and text assets.

For example, when upgrading from format 12 to 15, several JSON structures (such as predicates and item components) changed to match new engine rules.

Below is an example of a streamlined pack.mcmeta file compatible with Minecraft 1.21.8 and earlier versions:

{
  "pack": {
    "description": "Example datapack for Minecraft 1.21",
    "pack_format": 48
  }
}

If this number does not match the game's supported format, Minecraft displays a warning in the pack list.

Since 25w31a, the pack format has been changed to work with "Template:Mono" and "Template:Mono" fields instead of the previous "Template:Mono" field. Both data packs and resource packs have this change.

Here is the recommended pack.mcmeta configuration for Minecraft 1.21.9 and newer:

{
  "pack": {
    "description": "Example datapack for Minecraft 1.21.9",
    "min_format": 88,
    "max_format": 88
  }
}

Data pack format history

Below is a list of all valid data pack formats with corresponding Template:Edition versions.<ref group="note">Tag changes, additions and removals are not listed here.</ref> Template:Data pack format Template:Collapse

Resource pack format history

Below is a list of all valid resource pack formats with corresponding Template:Edition versions.Template:Resource pack format Template:Collapse

See also

• Minecraft:Resource pack – how pack files and folders are structured
• Minecraft:pack.mcmeta – metadata file used by both resource and data packs
• Minecraft:version.json – internal version file that defines supported pack formats