Border Expansion
by avakining
Border Expansion is a Fabric server mod that grows the World Border on a schedule, with the pace set by how many players are online.
What it does
A datapack, rather than a Java mod, drives the expansion: the World Border starts at 128 by 128 blocks when the datapack first loads, then grows slowly while players are connected. Expansion pauses whenever no player is online, so the border stays put while a server is empty.
The rate depends on the player count. With one player online the border grows by 0.000111 blocks per tick, about 8 blocks per hour. With two players it grows at the same rate, and with three or more players the rate doubles to 0.000222 blocks per tick, about 16 blocks per hour. Server owners who want a border that keeps pace with a busy world can rely on this scaling without any commands.
The mod is published for Fabric and works as a data pack. Server owners install it on the server, and only the server has to run it, so players can join without it. Files cover game versions 1.21.11 and 26.1, with 1.0.3 for 26.1 as the latest build, first published on 2025-11-25 and last updated on 2026-03-29. The code is released under the MIT License and is not open source.
Key features
Border set on first load
The World Border is set to 128 by 128 blocks as soon as the datapack first loads.
Pause with no players
Expansion stops entirely when no player is online and resumes once someone connects.
Player-scaled growth
The growth rate doubles from two to three or more players online, from 8 to 16 blocks per hour.
Data pack only
Everything runs from a datapack, so no extra Java code has to be loaded beyond the Fabric loader.
Compatibility
Latest build for each game version and loader.
Only full game releases are shown. This mod publishes no snapshot builds.
Use cases
Who it’s for: Server owners who want the World Border to grow over time and to follow the number of players connected, without manual commands.
How it compares
Expansion of Border is a Fabric, Forge, NeoForge and Quilt mod for 1.20.2 – 26.3, server required and client optional, released under the MIT License and not open source. Daily Expansion is a server-side only Fabric and Forge mod for 1.21 – 1.21.11 under the Apache License 2.0, not open source. Border Expands Per Day covers 1.14 – 1.21.3 on four loaders, with the same server-required, client-optional environment, under All rights reserved and not open source.
| Mod | Loaders | Game versions | Environment | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Border Expansion | Fabric | 1.21.11 – 26.1 | Server required, client optional | 2026-03-29 |
| Expansion of Border | Fabric, Forge, NeoForge and Quilt | 1.20.2 – 26.3 | Server required, client optional | 2025-09-26 |
| Daily Expansion | Fabric and Forge | 1.21 – 1.21.11 | Server-side only | 2026-07-07 |
| Border Expands Per Day | Fabric, Forge, NeoForge and Quilt | 1.14 – 1.21.3 | Server required, client optional | 2024-11-27 |
Questions
Does Border Expansion need Fabric API?
Do players need to install Border Expansion?
Can the expansion rate be changed?
In the catalog
Border Expansion is one of 29,952 Game mechanics mods on ModsFinder, and one of 19,630 Game mechanics mods for Fabric. 11,959 mods support Minecraft 26.1.
Similar mods
What the author says
A datapack which wlowly expands the World Border whenever players are online, then pauses its expansion when players leave. Currently, the border is set to 128x128 blocks when the datapack first loads. It then expands depending on the number of players online: - 0 players online: no expansion - 1 player: no expansion…
Official listing
- Modrinth page
- modrinth.com/mod/border-expansion
- Owner
- avakining
- Published
- 2025-11-25
- Updated on Modrinth
- 2026-03-29
- Facts verified
- 2026-10-15