What Better Clouds works with.
| Platform | Java Edition |
|---|---|
| Loaders | Fabric, NeoForge, Forge |
| Minecraft versions | 1.17, 1.17.1, 1.18.2, 1.19.4, 1.20.6, 1.21.11, 26.1.2, 26.2, 26.3 |
| Environment | Client |
The Better Clouds mod adds volumetric, multi-layered clouds to Minecraft Java Edition without leaving the blocky vanilla look. It is available for Fabric and NeoForge and works on the client only, so nothing is needed on a multiplayer host.
Shaders and resource packs often bring hyper-realistic clouds that clash with the rest of the world. This mod takes the opposite route: simple, chunky shapes with real depth. It is maintained by orangishcat after a period when the project was marked discontinued, and qendolin remains the original author.
Loaders and versions
- Fabric: Minecraft 1.17 to 26.3. The newest build requires YetAnotherConfigLib (YACL) and Fabric API, optionally Sodium, Iris Shaders and Mod Menu; builds for 1.17 to 1.18.2 need no dependencies.
- NeoForge: Minecraft 1.20.4 to 26.3. The newest build requires YetAnotherConfigLib (YACL), optionally Sodium and Iris Shaders.
- Forge: Minecraft 1.20 to 1.21.1. The newest build requires YetAnotherConfigLib (YACL), optionally Sodium and Iris Shaders.
What it changes
- Volumetric clouds in a simple style that sits beside vanilla terrain and mobs.
- Cloud appearance is highly customizable, and practically every option can be changed.
- Cloud generation can be altered through resource packs.
- Rendering performs as well as vanilla clouds, or potentially better.
Shaders and visual mods
Built-in presets cover Complementary, BSL, Chocapic, Kappa, Rethinking Voxels and Solas, so the clouds can be matched to a pack without manual tuning. Compatibility is also built in for Iris Shaders and Serene Seasons. The wiki documents every setting, explains how to write your own preset and lists compatible shaders. The shader pack Rethinking Voxels is one of the named presets.
Installing Better Clouds
- 1.Install the loader that matches your Minecraft release, following the Java mod guide if you are new to it.
- 2.Download the file for your loader and release from Modrinth.
- 3.Place it and each required library in the mods folder, by default .minecraft/mods.
- 4.Launch with the loader profile.
Questions about Better Clouds.
4 questions
Is Better Clouds discontinued?
No. orangishcat is now the maintainer and says the mod is no longer discontinued. qendolin remains the original author, and the most recent Fabric and NeoForge files date from late September 2026.
Does Better Clouds work with shaders?
Yes. It has built-in presets for Complementary, BSL, Chocapic, Kappa, Rethinking Voxels and Solas, and built-in compatibility with Iris. The wiki lists the compatible shaders and explains how to create a preset for any other pack.
Does Better Clouds need to be installed on a multiplayer server?
No. Better Clouds is required on the client and unsupported on a dedicated host, so you install it only on your own machine. It changes how clouds are rendered, and practically every cloud option can be adjusted from the settings it adds.
Is Better Clouds available for Bedrock?
No. Better Clouds is a Java Edition mod for Fabric and NeoForge, and Bedrock Edition cannot load mods of this kind. Java mods run only with the loader their file was made for, installed for the matching Minecraft release, and the files go in the mods folder of the Minecraft directory.
