Better Local Chat
by Hurky
Better Local Chat limits player messages to a radius around the sender on Fabric servers, with a global prefix for reaching everyone.
What it does
Chat is local by default: only players within a 50 block radius receive a message. A player who needs to reach the whole server adds a global prefix before the message, and that message is sent to everyone. The range and prefix are set in the localchat.json config file, which is loaded through the Fabric config system.
The mod is built for roleplay servers, survival SMPs and other multiplayer worlds where conversations should stay between nearby players. It runs on the server alone, so players join without installing anything. Fabric API is required, and the mod is published for Fabric across 17 release versions, 1.21 – 26.3, with 1.2.0 as the latest file for 1.21.11. It is released under the MIT License and is not open source.
Files were first published on 2026-07-11 and last updated on 2026-09-20. A Paper build is listed as an additional server platform.
Key features
Proximity-based chat
Messages reach only the players standing within the configured radius of the sender, so nearby conversations stay separate.
Global prefix
Typing a prefix ahead of a message sends it to every player on the server instead of only those nearby.
Configurable range
The radius and related options are stored in localchat.json, so server owners can adjust the chat range to suit their world.
Lightweight design
The mod filters chat messages on the server with little overhead, leaving the rest of the game unchanged.
Gallery
Compatibility
Latest build for each game version and loader.
26.x5 of 5 versions with builds
1.21.x10 of 10 versions with builds
Only full game releases are shown. This mod publishes no snapshot builds.
Requirements
Dependencies declared by the latest file for each loader.
Required 1
Use cases
Roleplay servers
Roleplay communities can keep in-character talk between players who are close together on the map.
Survival and SMP worlds
Players on a shared survival server can talk privately with nearby companions while others chat across the map.
Who it’s for: Server owners running roleplay, survival or SMP worlds who want conversations limited to nearby players. Players only need the mod if the server runs it.
How it compares
RPChat is server-side only, released under the MIT License and open source, with files for 1.19.2. Better Local Chat covers 1.21 – 26.3 with Fabric and Paper. Persistent Chat runs on client or server, is open source under the MIT License and covers 1.21.1 – 26.1.2, so it can be installed on either side. Just Chat Range is server-side only with files for 1.21.11 and is not open source, licensed as All rights reserved.
| Mod | Loaders | Game versions | Environment | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Better Local Chat | Fabric | 1.21 – 26.3 | Server-side only | 2026-09-20 |
| RPChat | Fabric | 1.19.2 | Server-side only | 2023-09-03 |
| Persistent Chat | Fabric | 1.21.1 – 26.1.2 | Client or server, optional | 2026-04-15 |
| Just Chat Range | Fabric | 1.21.11 | Server-side only | 2026-04-17 |
Questions
Does Better Local Chat need Fabric API?
Do players need to install Better Local Chat?
How is the chat radius changed?
In the catalog
Better Local Chat is one of 5,392 Social mods on ModsFinder, and one of 4,084 Social mods for Fabric. 8,071 mods support Minecraft 26.3.
More from Hurky
Similar mods
What the author says
By default, chat messages are only visible to players within a 50 block radius. Want to reach everyone on the server? Simply prefix your message with! to send it globally. Perfect for roleplay servers, survival SMP, or just keeping conversations between nearby players.
Official listing
- Modrinth page
- modrinth.com/mod/betterlocalchat
- Owner
- Hurky
- Published
- 2026-07-11
- Updated on Modrinth
- 2026-09-20
- Facts verified
- 2026-10-15