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NBTExplorer

NBTExplorer is a free, open-source graphical editor for NBT data, mainly intended for Minecraft game data.

Place
#11 of 35
Score
6.2
NBTExplorer's website

What NBTExplorer is

NBTExplorer is a free, open-source graphical editor for NBT data, mainly intended for Minecraft game data. It reads and writes standard NBT, schematic, uncompressed NBT, Minecraft region and Anvil, and Cubic Chunks region files, with region editing that includes deleting chunks. Version 2.7.6 added limited handling for nonstandard short-array tags used by some mods: they can be read, updated, and deleted. The latest listed Windows release, version 2.8.0, adds support for NBT long array tags. NBTExplorer is available for Windows, Linux, and macOS. The Windows README lists Windows XP or later and .NET Framework 2.0 or later. Linux requires a recent Mono runtime, version 2.6 or later, and mono-core and mono-winforms or equivalent packages. A separate Mac version has a native interface, with OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion as its minimum; the Windows version can run on Mac with Mono if that version does not work. The project also includes NBTUtil, a command-line utility for inspecting and modifying NBT, with a smaller set of functions including printing nodes, editing scalar values, and setting list contents. The project uses the MIT License.

Good

  • Reads and writes several Minecraft-related NBT formats.
  • Supports deleting chunks from regions.
  • Available for Windows, Linux, and macOS.
  • Free and open-source under the MIT License.

Watch out

  • Linux requires Mono and associated packages.
  • Nonstandard short-array tag support is limited.
  • NBTUtil provides only a subset of editor functions.

Who it suits

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

Verdict

NBTExplorer covers multiple NBT and region formats, with platform-specific requirements to consider before installation. Its additional NBTUtil tool has narrower capabilities than the graphical editor.

Plans and prices

From NBTExplorer's own pricing page, checked 8 Oct 2026.

All about pricing
PlanPriceWhat it gives you
Free and open-sourceFreeNo paid plans or usage limits stated

The facts

Each one read from NBTExplorer's own pages, with the date it was checked.

What it does

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.checked 8 Oct 2026
Chunk editing
Version 2.7.6 added the ability to delete chunks from regions.checked 8 Oct 2026
Command-line tool
The project includes NBTUtil, a command-line utility to inspect and modify NBT data.checked 8 Oct 2026
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.checked 8 Oct 2026
Latest release
The releases page lists version 2.8.0 for Windows and says it adds support for NBT long array tags.checked 8 Oct 2026
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.checked 8 Oct 2026
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.checked 8 Oct 2026
NBT formats
It reads and writes standard NBT, schematic, uncompressed NBT, Minecraft region and Anvil, and Cubic Chunks region files.checked 8 Oct 2026
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.checked 8 Oct 2026
Purpose
NBTExplorer is an open-source graphical editor for common NBT data sources, mainly intended for Minecraft game data.checked 8 Oct 2026
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.checked 8 Oct 2026
Security information
The repository security page does not provide security or compliance details in the opened page.checked 8 Oct 2026

Where it runs

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.checked 8 Oct 2026
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.checked 8 Oct 2026
Windows
The README lists Windows XP or later and .NET Framework 2.0 or later as requirements.checked 8 Oct 2026
Windows fallback on Mac
The README says the Windows version can run on Mac with Mono if the Mac version does not work.checked 8 Oct 2026

The company

Maker
The GitHub profile identifies jaquadro as Justin Aquadro, a professional software developer with interests in games, game tooling, and Minecraft modding.checked 8 Oct 2026

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