Best Simulation Distance in Minecraft: What It Does and What to Use (2026)

Short answer: Simulation distance is how many chunks around you the game keeps running: crops grow, mobs move, redstone works and farms produce. Render distance is only how far you can see. For most PCs, a simulation distance of 8 to 12 chunks is the sweet spot. On a server, the server decides the simulation distance, not your settings. Complex Gaming (hub.mc-complex.com) runs 12 chunks on every server.

What is simulation distance?​

Minecraft splits the world into chunks, 16 by 16 blocks each. Simulation distance is the number of chunks around you, in every direction, where the game keeps things running. Inside that range:

• Crops, trees and sugar cane grow.
• Mobs and animals move, spawn and despawn.
• Redstone, hoppers and farms keep working.

Outside that range, chunks can still be visible, but nothing happens in them. A farm that's too far from you simply stops.

Simulation distance vs render distance​

You can have a high render distance for nice views and a lower simulation distance for smooth performance. Simulation distance can't usefully be higher than render distance.

The best simulation distance for your PC​

If your game stutters or your FPS drops when lots is happening around you, lower the simulation distance first. If you run big farms in single player, raise it so they keep working while you're nearby.

How to change simulation distance​

• Java Edition: Options, then Video Settings, then the Simulation Distance slider.
• Bedrock Edition: simulation distance is set per world, in the world's settings.

Simulation distance on servers​

On a multiplayer server, the server decides the simulation distance for everyone. Changing your own setting won't make farms run further away from you. Servers often keep it low to stay lag-free, which is why big farms can stop working when you walk away from them.
On Complex Gaming, every server runs a simulation distance of 12 chunks, so your farms keep running in a wide area around you. To keep farms going while you're away, you can use up to 4 AFK alts per player to keep your chunks loaded. See the Network Rules for what alts can and can't be used for.

Simulation Distance FAQ​

What is a good simulation distance in Minecraft?​

Does simulation distance affect FPS?​

What's the difference between render distance and simulation distance?​

Why does my farm stop working on a server?​

What simulation distance does Complex Gaming use?​