Screenshot 1 of 6. Sweeping landscape screenshot showing Distant Horizons LOD terrain extending far beyond the normal Minecraft render distance
What Distant Horizons works with.
| Platform | Java Edition |
|---|---|
| Loaders | Fabric, NeoForge, Forge |
| Minecraft versions | 1.12.2, 1.16.5, 1.17.1, 1.18.2, 1.19.4, 1.20.6, 1.21.11, 26.1.2, 26.2, 26.3 |
| Environment | Client, Server |
It targets render distances of 256+ chunks at a low performance cost. The creator's showcase photo uses a vanilla render distance of 8 with a mod distance of 512. Rendering runs on the GPU through OpenGL or Vulkan, and player-built structures are included.
- Fabric: 1.16.3 to 26.3
- NeoForge: 1.20.6 to 26.3
- Forge: 1.12.2 to 1.20.4, the newest Forge release is 3.3.3 (Fabric and NeoForge are on 3.3.4, all dated 2026-09-29)
- Dependencies: none required on any loader
- Side: optional on the client and on the server
Installation
Pick the release that matches your loader and Minecraft version, then put its .jar file in the mods folder and launch with that loader's profile. For 1.20.6 and newer, one file covers NeoForge and Fabric. For 1.20.4 and older, one file covers Forge and Fabric. New to loaders? Start with how to install mods on Java Edition.
Multiplayer behaviour
With the mod on the client only, LODs are saved between sessions, but you have to explore the world to load them. With the mod on both sides, the server sends LODs to every connected player who has it and has Distant Generation Enabled set to true. Turning distant generation off on the server stops that delivery. Bukkit servers use a separate plugin, Distant Horizons Support, listed on Modrinth.
Shader compatibility
Shaders work only in some cases. OptiFine partially works with forward-rendered shaders. Iris and its ports need Distant Horizons 2.1.0 or newer with Iris 1.7+, and the shader pack must be built with Distant Horizons support. Version 2.0 and older do not work with Iris.
Fixing stutter
If the game stutters, try each of these steps.
- 1.Use a concurrent garbage collector through JVM arguments, ZGC on Java 21+ or Shenandoah on Java 8 to 17.
- 2.Raise allocated RAM, 6 to 8 GB for 4 to 8 core CPUs and 12 to 16 GB for 10+ cores.
- 3.Lower Distant Horizons' CPU load in its config menu.
- 4.Disable Distant Generation.
- 5.Lower the Graphics Preset.
Questions about Distant Horizons.
5 questions
Does Distant Horizons work on Forge, Fabric and NeoForge?
Yes. Fabric is covered from 1.16.3 to 26.3, NeoForge from 1.20.6 to 26.3, and Forge from 1.12.2 to 1.20.4. For 1.20.6 and newer, one file serves NeoForge and Fabric. For 1.20.4 and older, one file serves Forge and Fabric.
Does Distant Horizons work on multiplayer servers?
Yes. Installed only on your client, it saves LODs between sessions, though you must explore to load them. Installed on the server too, LODs are sent to connected players who have the mod and Distant Generation Enabled turned on. Bukkit servers need the separate Distant Horizons Support plugin.
Does Distant Horizons work with shaders?
Only with certain shaders. OptiFine partly works with forward-rendered packs. Iris needs Distant Horizons 2.1.0 or newer, Iris 1.7+, and a shader pack made with Distant Horizons support. Distant Horizons 2.0 and older do not work with Iris.
Why is my game stuttering with Distant Horizons?
Try a concurrent garbage collector (ZGC on Java 21+, Shenandoah on Java 8 to 17), then raise allocated RAM. After that, lower the CPU load or Graphics Preset in the Distant Horizons config, or disable Distant Generation.
Does Distant Horizons need any other mods?
No. The newest releases on Fabric, NeoForge and Forge list no required dependencies, so the Distant Horizons file alone in the mods folder is enough. Shader support is optional and depends on the shader pack you choose.
