How to Change the World Type on Your Minecraft Server
Switch your Minecraft Java server to flat, large biomes, amplified, or single-biome world generation.
The level-type setting in server.properties controls how Minecraft generates terrain — normal, superflat, amplified, large biomes, or single-biome. Changing the level-type only affects newly generated chunks, so to apply it to your whole world you must delete (or replace) the existing world folder.
World Type Values
| Value | Description |
|---|---|
minecraft\:normal | Standard world generation (default) |
minecraft\:flat | Superflat — single layer of bedrock + grass, no terrain |
minecraft\:large_biomes | Same biomes as normal, scaled 16× larger |
minecraft\:amplified | Extreme terrain heights (mountains up to Y=256) |
minecraft\:single_biome_surface | Entire world is one biome |
Version note: Minecraft 1.19+ uses the
minecraft\:namespace prefix. For older versions (1.18 and below), use uppercase values likeFLAT,LARGEBIOMES,AMPLIFIED.
Change the World Type
Stop the server
In the XGamingServer Panel, open Console and stop your server.
Back up the existing world
Go to Backups in the sidebar and create a backup before deleting anything. This is your safety net if you change your mind.
Edit server.properties
Click Files in the sidebar and open server.properties in the server root. Find the level-type line and change it:
level-type=minecraft\:flatClick Save Content.
Delete the world folders
In Files, delete the world/ folder (and world_nether/, world_the_end/ if they exist on Spigot/Paper). The new level-type only takes effect on freshly generated worlds.
Warning: This permanently deletes all builds, structures, and player progress in the world. Make sure your backup from step 2 completed first.
Start the server
Start from Console. The server will generate a new world using the level-type you set.
Superflat Customization
Superflat worlds support custom layer presets. Set generator-settings in server.properties to a preset string — see Create a Superflat World for full preset syntax.
Common Issues
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| World still looks the same | The old world/ folder wasn't deleted — Minecraft loaded the existing one |
level-type value ignored | Wrong format for your version. Use minecraft\:flat on 1.19+, FLAT on older versions |
| Amplified world causes lag | Amplified terrain is CPU-intensive — pre-generate chunks with Chunky |
| Single-biome world won't generate | Requires generator-settings with the biome ID (e.g., minecraft:plains) |
Tips
- Amplified worlds are stunning but eat CPU during generation. Pre-generate with Chunky overnight before letting players explore.
- Flat worlds are ideal for creative build servers, minigames, and parkour maps.
- Large biomes is great for survival servers where players want long expeditions across each biome before reaching the next.
- The level-type only applies on first generation. Once a chunk exists, its terrain is locked in.
Related Guides
How is this guide?
How to Troubleshoot Common BungeeCord Problems on Your Minecraft Network
Fix BungeeCord proxy errors — connection failures, IP forwarding issues, plugin conflicts, authentication problems, and network performance.
How to Change the Mob Spawn Rate on Your Minecraft Server
Adjust hostile mob, animal, and ambient spawn limits and ranges on your Minecraft Java server using bukkit.yml and spigot.yml.