What FancyHolograms works with.
| Platform | Java Edition |
|---|---|
| Loaders | Paper, Folia |
| Minecraft versions | 1.21.5, 1.21.6, 1.21.7, 1.21.8, 1.21.9, 1.21.10, 1.21.11, 26.1.2, 26.2 |
FancyHolograms is a Paper and Folia plugin for creating text, item, and block holograms without a client-side mod. It renders each hologram using Minecraft's own display entities (the text, item, and block display types added in 1.19.4), sent to players through packets instead of being spawned as tracked entities in the world. The current release targets Paper 1.21.4 and newer with Java 25, and its published builds cover Minecraft 1.21.5 through 26.2 on both Paper and Folia.
What FancyHolograms adds to a server
Every hologram is created and edited in-game with a single command, no config file editing required. Text holograms support MiniMessage formatting for colors and styling, multiple lines, adjustable scale, and four billboard modes (fixed, center, horizontal, vertical) that control which way the text faces. Item and block holograms display a floating item or block model instead of text, useful for shop signs, quest markers, or decoration.
- Text, item, and block hologram types, each with its own position, rotation, and scale
- MiniMessage formatting for hologram text, including multi-line labels
- Optional PlaceholderAPI and MiniPlaceholders integration for live dynamic values
- Fixed, center, horizontal, and vertical billboard modes
- Integration with FancyNpcs, letting a hologram serve as an NPC's display name
Why FancyHolograms does not add server lag
Older hologram plugins commonly fake a floating label by spawning an invisible armor stand with a custom name, which means the server has to track, tick, and sync one real entity per hologram line. FancyHolograms avoids that by sending display entities to clients purely as packets. The server never registers them as world entities, so a map with dozens of holograms carries no meaningful tick cost, and the plugin needs no dependency beyond Paper itself.
Installation and setup
- 1.Confirm the server runs Paper 1.21.4 or newer (or a Paper fork), on Java 25 or later
- 2.Download the FancyHolograms jar from its Modrinth page for your Minecraft version
- 3.Drop the jar into the server's plugins folder and restart
- 4.Use the in-game hologram command to create, edit, and remove holograms; no config file setup is required
Compatibility with Paper, Folia, and other plugins
FancyHolograms runs on Paper and Folia and has no required dependencies beyond Paper itself. Spigot is not supported, so a server that has not moved to Paper or a Paper fork cannot run it. PlaceholderAPI and MiniPlaceholders are optional integrations for dynamic text values, and the plugin recognizes FancyNpcs NPCs so a hologram can act as an NPC's floating name.
See FancyHolograms in action
Creating text, block, and item holograms with FancyHolograms
Questions about FancyHolograms.
5 questions
How do I install FancyHolograms?
Download the jar from the FancyHolograms Modrinth page, matching your Minecraft version, and drop it into your server's plugins folder. The server needs to run Paper 1.21.4 or newer (or a Paper fork) on Java 25 or later. Restart the server and create holograms in-game with the plugin's command, no config file editing needed.
Does FancyHolograms work on Folia?
Yes. FancyHolograms publishes the same build for both Paper and Folia, and both currently cover Minecraft 1.21.5 through 26.2. Folia's per-region threading does not require any extra setup for the plugin's holograms.
Does FancyHolograms cause server lag?
No. It sends holograms as display-entity packets straight to clients instead of spawning real, tracked entities like the armor-stand holograms older plugins use. The server does not tick or sync any extra entities, so having many holograms on a map adds no meaningful overhead.
Can I use FancyHolograms with PlaceholderAPI?
Yes. PlaceholderAPI and MiniPlaceholders are both optional integrations, so hologram text can show live dynamic values such as a player's balance or rank. Neither is required to use the plugin's core hologram features.
Is FancyHolograms free to use on my server?
Yes. FancyHolograms is released under the MIT License and is free to download from its Modrinth page. The source is maintained in the FancyInnovations GitHub organization, and MinecraftHub links to Modrinth rather than hosting or mirroring the jar.
