What is the MCWORLD file format?
Files with .mcworld store data compressed as a ZIP archive that packages a Minecraft world backup for the Bedrock Edition. Inside the archive you will find level.dat (NBT world metadata), levelname.txt, world_icon.jpeg, and a db/ folder containing LevelDB chunk files (.ldb and .log) that hold terrain, entities and player data. .mcworld files are supported by Minecraft Bedrock and Education Editions across Windows, Android, iOS, Xbox, PlayStation and Nintendo Switch.
Such files are typically used to save world backup copies and to share created worlds with other users. A similar format, .mctemplate, uses the same ZIP layout but is intended as a reusable world template. .mcaddon and .mcpack are also used for add-ons and content packs.
Creating .mcworld files in Minecraft
The quickest method is to use the game's built-in export: open the world settings in Minecraft Bedrock and choose Export World - the game writes a .mcworld file directly. You can also build one manually by locating the game folder where worlds are saved:
- navigate to the game folder and then the
minecraftWorldssubfolder, - copy the selected world folder into another location,
- create a ZIP archive of the folder,
- change the extension to
.mcworld.
Opening and using .mcworld files
Downloaded .mcworld files should be opened in Minecraft automatically when double-clicked - the game imports the world into its library. If the file does not load, one can manually copy the world folder to the minecraftWorlds folder and unpack the ZIP archive (changing the .mcworld extension to .zip may be required). By using archive tools that support ZIP files - such as 7-Zip - a user can browse the contents of any .mcworld file without launching the game.
Security & safety
RISK: LOWA world export is game data, not executable code, so opening one is low-risk. The real caution is bundled add-ons: a downloaded .mcworld may carry behavior_packs with custom scripts/commands - harmless in normal play but worth getting from reputable community sites. Watch for fake "Minecraft world download" pages that wrap files in PUP installers; download .mcworld files directly, not via a "download manager".
Format details
in a nutshellFULL NAMEMinecraft World (Bedrock) export fileaka Minecraft World Template, Bedrock world export
DEVELOPERMojang Studios (Microsoft)since 2016 (Minecraft: Bedrock Edition / Pocket Edition world export & import)
CATEGORYGame Files
MIME TYPEapplication/zip
TYPEZIP archive packaging a Bedrock-edition Minecraft world folder (binary)
This extension is also used by…
- Generic ZIP archive - Because .mcworld is just a ZIP, archive tools open it as a normal compressed archive.
MAGIC BYTES · FILE SIGNATURE
OFFSET
00010203
HEX
504B0304
ASCII
PK··
An MCWORLD is an ordinary ZIP archive, so it begins with the "PK" header like any ZIP. What identifies it as a world export is the internal layout: a level.dat NBT file at the archive root plus a db/ folder of LevelDB chunk files. Rename to .zip to inspect.
Programs that open MCWORLD files
Windows3 apps
7-Zip
Open-source Right-click -> 7-Zip -> Open archive to inspect contents (it's a ZIP); don't extract to play. 
Minecraft (Bedrock / Windows 10/11 Edition)
Paid Double-click the .mcworld; Minecraft launches and imports the world into your library.
Universal Minecraft Editor
Free Open the .mcworld to view/edit Bedrock world data (chunks, inventory) outside the game. 
macOS1 app
Keka / Apple Archive Utility
Open-source Rename to .zip and extract to inspect contents; macOS has no native Bedrock client to import. 
Android1 app
Minecraft (Bedrock)
Paid Tap the .mcworld in a file manager; it opens in Minecraft and imports the world.
iOS1 app
Technical details
deep spec| Container format | Standard ZIP archive; begins with magic bytes 50 4B 03 04 ("PK" signature) at offset 0 |
| MIME type | application/zip (primary); also seen as application/octet-stream or application/vnd.minecraft.world |
| Encoding | Binary |
| Byte order | Little-endian |
| Compression | DEFLATE applied per ZIP entry; LevelDB chunk data inside db/ is additionally zlib-compressed |
| Encryption | None for standard player exports; Marketplace and premium worlds may carry Mojang DRM |
| Typical file size | 1 MB - 500 MB; large explored or downloaded worlds can exceed 1 GB |
| World metadata file | level.dat at the archive root - NBT-encoded; carries StorageVersion integer and game version tags |
| Key internal files | level.dat, levelname.txt, world_icon.jpeg, db/*.ldb chunk tables, db/*.log write-ahead log |
| World data storage | LevelDB key-value store inside the db/ folder; each .ldb file is a sorted string table of chunk data |
| Integrity checking | ZIP per-entry CRC-32 only; no whole-file cryptographic hash or digital signature |
| Max archive entries | 65,535 files under the base ZIP specification; large worlds approach this limit via many .ldb files - ZIP64 removes the cap |
| Edition compatibility | Bedrock Edition and Education Edition only; .mcworld files cannot be imported into Java Edition |
| Platform support | Android, iOS, Windows (Bedrock/Win10/11), Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch |
| Inspect without game | Rename .mcworld to .zip and open with any ZIP-capable tool (7-Zip, WinRAR, Keka) to browse or extract contents |
| Related formats | .mctemplate (same ZIP layout used as a reusable world template), .mcaddon (add-on bundle), .mcpack (resource or behaviour pack), .mcrworld (Minecraft Realms world export) |
| Released | 2016 (Minecraft: Bedrock Edition / Pocket Edition world export & import) |
| Latest version | Tracks current Bedrock world format (LevelDB chunk storage); no separate .mcworld spec version |
| Specification | www.minecraft.net |
MCWORLD conversions
Possible
Not possible
Community Q&A
asked by users
A
Frequently asked questions
How do I open an MCWORLD file?
On a device with Minecraft Bedrock installed, just double-click/tap the file - it imports the world into your game library. To inspect it without importing, rename it to .zip and open with 7-Zip.
Why won't my MCWORLD import into Minecraft Java Edition?
.mcworld is a Bedrock-only format that uses LevelDB storage. Java Edition uses plain world folders with region (.mca) files and can't read it. Use Bedrock, or try a Bedrock-to-Java tool like Chunker.
Can I open an MCWORLD without Minecraft?
Yes for inspecting - rename it to .zip and browse the level.dat and db/ folder in any archive tool, or use Universal Minecraft Editor. But to actually play the world you need Minecraft Bedrock.
Is MCWORLD the same as a Minecraft backup?
Effectively yes - exporting a world to .mcworld is the standard way to back it up or move it between devices, which is why the file is often labeled a 'world backup'.
What's the difference between MCWORLD, MCTEMPLATE, MCPACK and MCADDON?
MCWORLD is a full saved world; MCTEMPLATE is a reusable world template (same packaging); MCPACK is a single resource or behavior pack; MCADDON bundles multiple packs. All are ZIP-based.
Can I edit what's inside an MCWORLD file?
Yes - open it with Universal Minecraft Editor (or rename to .zip and edit the NBT/LevelDB data), but back up first; corrupt edits can make the world unloadable.
References
1Minecraft.net - official site (Bedrock Edition)www.minecraft.net
2Minecraft Wiki - Bedrock Edition level format (LevelDB / level.dat)minecraft.wiki
