What is an NBT file?
NBT file is a file format used in Minecraft. NBT stands for Named Binary Tag and it is a simple binary format for storing structured data (similar to JSON or XML). In Minecraft, NBT files are used to store various types of game data, including player inventories, world information, entity data, and more.
NBT files are typically stored with a .dat extension and can be found within a Minecraft world’s directory structure. For example, player inventories are stored in .dat files within the playerdata directory, while world information is stored in .dat files within the region directory.
NBT File Format - More Information
NBT is a simple binary format designed to efficiently store large amounts of binary data. It is used by Minecraft for its data files due to its flexibility and ease of use. Minecraft is a popular 3D sandbox game where players can build and explore virtual worlds. The Java Edition of Minecraft is particularly popular among modders, who modify the game by editing its files or adding new ones to customize gameplay. NBT files in Minecraft are often examined and edited by modders. These files are typically compressed using GZip and can contain various game data items crucial for world building and customization.
How to open an NBT file
Several software tools are available for opening and editing NBT files. Here are the list of programs that can open or reference NBT files.
- NBTExplorer (Free) for (Windows, Mac, Linux)
- NBTEdit (Free) for Windows
- MCEdit (Free) for (Windows, Linux)
