How to Make a Superflat Minecraft Server

To make a superflat Minecraft server, set level-type=minecraft:flat in server.properties, change level-name to a new folder name and restart. The server generates a brand-new flat world; your old world stays untouched in its own folder. Add generator-settings if you want custom layers or a different biome.

This guide is for Java Edition servers (Vanilla, Paper, Purpur, Fabric and so on). Bedrock Dedicated Server uses level-type=FLAT and has no layer customization.

How world type works on a server

A dedicated server has no “Create New World” screen. It reads the world settings from server.properties, and only when it has to create a world. The Minecraft Wiki is explicit: once the world exists, the data in its level.dat wins over server.properties. That is why changing level-type on a running server seems to do nothing.

The flat preset only changes the overworld. The Nether and the End generate as usual.

How to make a superflat Minecraft server step by step

1. Make a backup. On TheGameHosting, open the Backups tab and create one; on your PC, copy the world folders somewhere safe.
2. Stop the server from the Console tab.
3. Open server.properties in the Files tab.
4. Set level-type=minecraft:flat.
5. Change level-name to a new name such as world_flat, so the server creates a new world instead of loading the old one.
6. Optional: paste your own generator-settings (see below) and set generate-structures=false.
7. Save and start the server. The console logs the new world being prepared; join and you are standing on a flat plain.

level-name=world_flat
level-type=minecraft\:flat
generator-settings={}
generate-structures=false

To go back to your normal world later, set level-name=world again and restart. Both worlds keep their own folder, so you can switch between them. If you prefer to replace the old world instead, stop the server and delete or rename the old world folders after the backup, and keep level-name=world.

Custom layers with generator-settings

With level-type=minecraft:flat, generator-settings takes a JSON object with a biome and a list of layers, listed from the bottom of the world upwards. Each layer has a block ID and a height. The Minecraft Wiki gives this example, which recreates the Classic Flat preset:

generator-settings={"biome":"minecraft:plains","layers":[{"block":"minecraft:bedrock","height":1},{"block":"minecraft:dirt","height":2},{"block":"minecraft:grass_block","height":1}]}

The default flat world is only four blocks deep, with the surface at Y=-60. Because of that low altitude, slimes spawn often, which surprises a lot of creative servers. A thicker stack fixes it and gives you room to dig. This example puts 60 layers of stone under the dirt:

level-type=minecraft\:flat
generator-settings={"biome":"minecraft:plains","layers":[{"block":"minecraft:bedrock","height":1},{"block":"minecraft:stone","height":60},{"block":"minecraft:dirt","height":3},{"block":"minecraft:grass_block","height":1}]}

Keep the whole JSON on one line and use straight quotes. If the JSON is broken, the world will not generate the way you expect, so check the first chunks after the start and regenerate if needed (stop, change level-name again, start).

The single-player presets as layer lists

The Customize screen in single player has ready-made presets. A server cannot pick them by name, but you can rebuild their layers and biome in generator-settings. These are the layer stacks the Minecraft Wiki lists, from top to bottom:

Remember that the JSON lists layers from the bottom up, so reverse the order when you type them. The wiki also notes that a layer list cannot fully describe a preset: settings for features and structures are not part of it, so a rebuilt preset gets the same blocks and biome but not necessarily the same structures.

Turn it into a creative build server

Most flat worlds are for building. A few more lines in server.properties help:

gamemode=creative
force-gamemode=true
difficulty=peaceful

force-gamemode=true puts players back in the default game mode every time they join. Peaceful removes hostile mobs. On Minecraft 1.21.11 and newer you can also stop natural mob spawning with gamerule spawn_mobs false in the console (on older versions the rule was called doMobSpawning). Since the flat world has no terrain limits to explore, a world border keeps players near spawn, and the whitelist keeps the build team private.

If the world is still not flat

• Same old world loads: level-name still points at the existing folder. Use a new name.
• Villages everywhere: the default flat world generates villages. Set generate-structures=false before the world is created.
• A multiworld plugin manages your worlds: it may load its own world settings. Create the flat world through the plugin instead.
• Bedrock players on Geyser: they join the same Java world, so they see the same flat terrain.

Not running a server yet? Start with how to make a Minecraft Java server.

Flat worlds without the hassle on TheGameHosting

On a TheGameHosting Minecraft server you edit server.properties in the browser from the Files tab, keep a copy of your survival world in Backups, and give your builders their own access with Users subusers. The server is ready about 60 seconds after payment and stays online 24/7, so your build team can work while your PC is off. Plans start at $1.90 USD/month with unlimited slots; see plans and pricing and use FULL2026 for 15% off for life.

FAQ

Hosting for these games

• Minecraft server hostingOne plan, 60+ games · from $1.90 USD/mo