---
title: "Dynmap Setup Guide: Install, Render and Secure | ZCS"
description: "A live, browser-based overhead map of the server world: install, configure, and get it reachable from outside the server."
url: "https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/dynmap-setup-guide"
updated: "2026-10-20T07:16:50.972429+00:00"
source: "ZCraft Studios"
---

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# Dynmap Setup Guide: Install, Render and Secure

ZCraft StudiosOct 3, 2026Updated Oct 20, 2026

A live, browser-based overhead map of the server world: install, configure, and get it reachable from outside the server.

## In this guide

- [Install Dynmap](#install-dynmap)
- [Accessing the Map](#accessing-the-map)
- [Configuring Which Worlds Render](#configuring-which-worlds-render)
- [Forcing a Full Render](#forcing-a-full-render)
- [Hiding Specific Areas](#hiding-specific-areas)
- [Adding Custom Markers](#adding-custom-markers)
- [Checking Render Progress](#checking-render-progress)
- [Putting Dynmap Behind a Domain](#putting-dynmap-behind-a-domain)
- [A Few Things Worth Knowing](#a-few-things-worth-knowing)
- [First render and web access checks](#first-render-and-web-access-checks)
- [Official documentation and links](#official-documentation-and-links)
- [Plan map visibility before opening the URL](#plan-map-visibility-before-opening-the-url)

## Setting Up Dynmap: A Step-by-Step Guide

_A live overhead map of the server, viewable in a browser, updating as players explore and build._

Dynmap renders the server's world into a 2D (with optional limited 3D-style) web-viewable map, with live player markers and support for custom annotations.

## Install Dynmap

[Dynmap®A Google Maps-like map for your Minecraft server that can be viewed in a browser. Easy to set up when making use of Dynmap's integrated webserver, while also supporting advanced deployment with Apache and other web servers.On Modrinth ](https://modrinth.com/plugin/dynmap)

Download Dynmap® from the project linked above. Check the supported Minecraft version, server platform, Java requirement and dependencies for the selected release.

1. Back up the server files and any plugin database.
2. Stop the server before changing JAR files. Put the compatible plugin build and its required dependencies in the correct plugin folder.
3. Start the server and read the startup log. Resolve missing dependencies or version errors before editing the generated configuration.
4. Stop the server, make one small configuration change, then restart and test it with a non-operator account.

Confirm Dynmap® loads after a clean restart. Test the feature you need with an ordinary player account before adding optional integrations.

## Accessing the Map

Dynmap serves its web interface on port `8123` by default:

```
sudo ufw allow 8123/tcp
```

Then visit `http://<server-ip>:8123` once initial rendering has progressed.

## Configuring Which Worlds Render

`plugins/dynmap/configuration.txt` lists which worlds are rendered and their render settings. Disabling worlds that don't need a public map speeds up the initial full render considerably.

## Forcing a Full Render

```
/dynmap fullrender <world>
```

triggers a complete re-render of a world, useful after a major terrain change, or if the automatic incremental updates seem to have missed something.

## Hiding Specific Areas

Dynmap supports hiding regions from the public map, including integration with WorldGuard so protected regions (staff areas, unfinished builds) can be automatically excluded from what's shown to map visitors.

## Adding Custom Markers

```
/dynmap marker add <label>
```

places a marker on the map at the current location, useful for labeling warps, shops, or points of interest for players browsing the map outside the game.

## Checking Render Progress

```
/dynmap stats
```

reports current render status and performance stats. It's useful for gauging how far along a large initial render actually is, especially on an older, heavily-explored world.

## Putting Dynmap Behind a Domain

Running Dynmap behind a reverse proxy (nginx or similar) allows it to live at a clean subdomain instead of a bare IP and port, and makes adding HTTPS straightforward, since Dynmap's built-in web server doesn't handle TLS certificates on its own.

## A Few Things Worth Knowing

- Initial render time scales directly with how much of the world has actually been explored. A small, young server renders fast; a multi-year survival world can take considerably longer.
- Dynmap's 3D-style rendering mode exists but is more limited than BlueMap's true 3D geometry, so it's worth comparing both directly if visual style is a priority before settling on one.
- Like most map plugins, it's read-only for visitors by default. Viewing the map through a browser doesn't let someone modify the actual world.

## First render and web access checks

After installing a compatible Dynmap build, start the server and inspect its console output before exposing the map website. Make sure the web endpoint is reachable only through the intended public address, and do not expose unrelated administration ports. Render a small test world or region first to estimate storage use and confirm blocks appear correctly.

**Verify:** open the map from a separate browser, test mobile navigation, inspect whether player markers reveal locations players expect to remain private, and check the render progress after restarting the server. If the page loads but tiles are missing, investigate the render job, file permissions and web-server logs rather than assuming the map plugin is broken.

For deployment-specific configuration, use the [Dynmap project wiki](https://github.com/webbukkit/dynmap/wiki).

## Official documentation and links

- [Official project repository](https://github.com/webbukkit/dynmap)
- [BlueMap vs. Dynmap: Which Web Map Plugin Should You Use](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/bluemap-vs-dynmap-comparison)

[Dynmap®A Google Maps-like map for your Minecraft server that can be viewed in a browser. Easy to set up when making use of Dynmap's integrated webserver, while also supporting advanced deployment with Apache and other web servers.On Modrinth ](https://modrinth.com/plugin/dynmap)

## Plan map visibility before opening the URL

Render one small region and verify the web view updates after in-game changes. Measure storage growth before rendering the entire world and decide whether player markers, coordinates or private worlds should be shown publicly.

If the map's built-in web port is reachable directly, review the recommended deployment and access-control guidance rather than leaving an administrative interface unexpectedly exposed.

## Continue reading

- [BlueMap vs Dynmap: Which Minecraft Web Map Plugin Is Better?](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/bluemap-vs-dynmap-comparison)
- [BlueMap Setup Guide: Install a 3D Web Map](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/bluemap-web-map-setup)
- [PlaceholderAPI Setup: Install Expansions and Placeholders](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/placeholderapi-setup-guide)

[ Previous guide Hosting and Setting Up a Custom Resource Pack](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/custom-resource-pack-hosting-setup)[ Next guide TAB Plugin Config: Tablist, Scoreboard and Free Pack](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/tab-plugin-tablist-scoreboard-setup)