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NBTExplorer

github.com

Free plan WindowsmacOSLinux
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Spec score 7.8 #14 of 35 in Minecraft World Editors

What it is

NBTExplorer is a free, open-source graphical editor for NBT data, mainly intended for Minecraft game files. It reads and writes standard NBT, schematic, and uncompressed NBT files, along with Minecraft region and Anvil files and Cubic Chunks region files. Region editing includes deleting chunks. Support for nonstandard short-array tags used by some mods is limited to reading, updating, and deleting those tags. The Windows release page lists version 2.8.0, which adds support for NBT long array tags. NBTExplorer is available for Windows, Linux, and macOS. Windows requirements are Windows XP or later and .NET Framework 2.0 or later. Linux use calls for a recent Mono runtime, version 2.6 or later, plus mono-core and mono-winforms or equivalent packages. A separate Mac version has a native interface, with OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion listed as its minimum; the Windows version can run on Mac with Mono if needed. The project also includes NBTUtil, a command-line tool with a smaller set of functions, including printing nodes, changing scalar tag values, and setting list contents. The project uses the MIT License.

Spec sheet

Purpose
NBTExplorer is an open-source graphical editor for common NBT data sources, mainly intended for Minecraft game data.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
License
The project is licensed under the MIT License, which grants permission to use, copy, modify, distribute, sublicense, and sell copies subject to its conditions.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Maker
The GitHub profile identifies jaquadro as Justin Aquadro, a professional software developer with interests in games, game tooling, and Minecraft modding.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Additional format support
Version 2.7.6 release notes describe deleting chunks from regions and limited read, update, and delete support for nonstandard short-array tags.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Chunk editing
Version 2.7.6 added the ability to delete chunks from regions.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Command-line tool
The project includes NBTUtil, a command-line utility to inspect and modify NBT data.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Command-line utility
The 2.7.0 release introduced NBTUtil.exe, a command-line utility for inspecting and modifying NBT data with a limited subset of the editor’s functionality.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Latest release
The releases page lists version 2.8.0 for Windows and says it adds support for NBT long array tags.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Limited tag support
Version 2.7.6 added limited support for nonstandard short-array tags used by some mods, with read, update, and delete support only.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Linux
The README says NBTExplorer is compatible with recent Mono runtimes, version 2.6 or later, and requires mono-core and mono-winforms or equivalent packages.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
macOS
A separate Mac version with a native UI is available; the README lists OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion as the minimum supported version.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
NBT formats
It reads and writes standard NBT, schematic, uncompressed NBT, Minecraft region and Anvil, and Cubic Chunks region files.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
NBTUtil limits
The release notes say NBTUtil supports a small subset of NBTExplorer functionality, including printing nodes, editing scalar tag values, and setting list contents.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Read and write
It reads and writes standard NBT files, schematic files, uncompressed NBT files, Minecraft region and anvil files, and Cubic Chunks region files.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Security information
The repository security page does not provide security or compliance details in the opened page.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Windows
The README lists Windows XP or later and .NET Framework 2.0 or later as requirements.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Windows fallback on Mac
The README says the Windows version can run on Mac with Mono if the Mac version does not work.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com

Plans and prices

Free and open-source Free No paid plans or usage limits stated Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com

Every NBTExplorer plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Reads and writes several Minecraft region formats.
  • Region editing includes deleting chunks.
  • Available for Windows, Linux, and macOS.
  • Free and licensed under MIT.

Limits

  • Linux use requires Mono and related packages.
  • Windows requires .NET Framework 2.0 or later.
  • NBTUtil supports only a subset of editor functions.
  • Short-array tag support is limited.

Who it suits

NBTExplorer suits Minecraft users who need to inspect or edit NBT and supported region files. Its command-line utility may suit users who need a smaller set of NBT editing operations.

Verdict

NBTExplorer covers common NBT and Minecraft region formats across three desktop platforms, with a separate command-line utility. Review the platform requirements and the limits on nonstandard tags before using it.

Where Specifiction places it

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