The coordinate system used in Minecraft is a bit confusing, as it doesn’t use the same approach as normal coordinates. Usually with coordinates X and Y axes – like on a graph or chart – are used when talking about length and width – in these systems, Z is used for height. However, in Minecraft, the X and Z axes represent length and width instead, with Y representing height. Helpful, eh…

Anyway, in Minecraft the centre of your Minecraft world is at the point 0, 0.

When X or Z increase or decease, it means that you are moving farther away from 0, 0, or the middle of your Minecraft world. Traveling to the south-east will increase your X and Z coordinates, and traveling north-west will decrease your X and Z coordinates. On the Y axis (height), 0 is the very bottom of the map, and 256 is the top of the map (or 128 in the Nether). Sea level is at 64 on the Y axis.

If, for example, your coordinates read X: 200, Y: 75, Z: -100, you would be 200 blocks east and 100 blocks north of your 0, 0 block, and at an altitude of 75 blocks.