Better Compass
by maDU59_
Better Compass replaces the compass item with a HUD readout that shows direction, and adds automatic waypoints for the last death and the nether portal.
What it does
The mod draws a compass across the top of the screen in place of reading the compass item, so direction is visible without holding one. The HUD appears only while a compass is in the hotbar or inventory, and it sits alongside the vanilla display rather than removing it. Automatic waypoints mark the position of the last death and the nether portal last used, so a player who has explored far can see which way to go back.
Settings are changed through Mod Menu or with commands that set a single config value. The mod is open source under the MIT License and runs on the client alone, so servers do not need it and players join without installing anything. Files are published for Fabric and Quilt, for five game versions, with 1.0.8 for 1.21.11 as the latest file.
Key features
Compass HUD
A clean compass bar at the top of the screen shows direction without opening or holding the compass item.
Automatic waypoints
Waypoints are set for the last death and the last nether portal used, so the way back is shown on the HUD.
Mod Menu settings
Options can be changed in Mod Menu, and each value can also be set with a command.
Limited to held compasses
The HUD appears only when a compass is in the hotbar or inventory, so it does not show at all times.
Gallery
Compatibility
Latest build for each game version and loader.
Only full game releases are shown. This mod publishes no snapshot builds.
Use cases
Finding the way back
After long exploration, a player can check the direction of the last death or the nether portal without reading the map.
Returning from the nether
A player who went through a nether portal can see where that portal lies from the overworld side.
Who it’s for: Players who use the vanilla compass and want a direction readout on screen, and players who lose track of their way after exploring. It suits single-player and multiplayer clients on Fabric or Quilt.
How it compares
Tripp's Simple Compass is a Fabric client mod for 1.21.1 – 1.21.4 under the MIT License and is open source. Simple Compass HUD is a Fabric client mod for 1.21.6 – 1.21.8 under the MIT License, and it is not open source. Better Compass is open source under the MIT License and is client-side only, so it works without server installation.
| Mod | Loaders | Game versions | Environment | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Better Compass | Fabric and Quilt | 1.21.7 – 1.21.11 | Client-side only | 2025-12-09 |
| Tripp's Simple Compass | Fabric | 1.21.1 – 1.21.4 | Client-side only | 2025-03-15 |
| Simple Compass HUD | Fabric | 1.21.6 – 1.21.8 | Client-side only | 2025-08-23 |
Questions
Does Better Compass need to be installed on the server?
How are the settings changed?
In the catalog
Better Compass is one of 19,031 Adventure mods on ModsFinder, and one of 10,052 Adventure mods for Fabric. 19,862 mods support Minecraft 1.21.11.
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What the author says
If you don't understand how to use minecraft's compass or if you can't find your way back after exploring the nether or after dying, this mod is for you! To edit the settings of the mod: - Use Mod Menu - Use commands /BetterCompassConfig setting value - Edit the config file in.minecraft/config/better-compass.json
Official listing
- Modrinth page
- modrinth.com/mod/better-compass-hud
- Owner
- maDU59_
- Published
- 2025-09-17
- Updated on Modrinth
- 2025-12-09
- Facts verified
- 2026-10-15