How to make a new Minecraft world or use a custom seed on your server
Start a fresh world on your Minecraft server, or generate one from a seed you found, while keeping your old world safe so you can switch back any time.
Updated 3 November 2026 · 3 min read
Want to start over, or play a world from a cool seed a friend showed you? You don't have to delete anything. A server can keep several worlds and load the one you choose.
1. Stop the server and make a backup
- Stop the server from the Console page.
- Make a backup on the Backups page, just in case. See How to back up your server.
2. Set the seed and a new world name
Open Properties:
- Level seed: paste the seed you want, like
-4172144997902289642. Leave it empty for a random world. - Level name: type a new name, like
world2. Because no folder with that name exists yet, the server creates a brand new world. - Optional: change Level type for a flat or amplified world, and Generate structures to turn villages and other structures on or off.
- Click Save.
The seed only works for a new world. Changing the seed while the level name stays the same does nothing, because that world already exists.
3. Start the server
Start the server. Creating a new world takes a little longer than a normal start. When the console says Done, join and explore.
On Java Edition, type /seed in the game (as OP) to check the world's seed.
Go back to your old world
Your old world is still in its folder (by default world). To switch back, stop the server, set Level name back to world, save and start. You can switch between worlds as often as you like.
Delete an old world
When you're sure you don't need a world anymore, stop the server and delete its folder from the Files page to free up storage. On Paper, also delete its _nether and _the_end folders.
Same seed, different result?
Seeds give the same world only on the same Minecraft version and edition. A seed from Bedrock or from an older version may look different on your server. Mods that change world generation also change the result.