How to transfer Minecraft single player world to server?

To move the Java single-player world to the Java server, copy the world folder as is. Bedrock worlds use a separate save format.

Step by step

1. Close the single-player game and find the folder containing the save. There should be file level.dat and world data in the world folder.

2. Backup the server's current world and stop the process. Copy the source world to the server directory with a new name.

3. Match level-name in server.properties to this folder. If you're moving between Vanilla or Paper, also check the order of the dimension directories.

4. Make the first boot in the test environment. Verify player location, builds, Nether and End passes.

Keep in mind

The identity registration of a single-player account and the player registration on the server may behave differently. Test that the inventory arrives exactly as it is.

Source and tools

• PaperMC: Vanilla data files