Can you sell Minecraft builds? What Mojang allows

Your build is yours. Mojang says so in writing. Selling the file is another story: Mojang’s rules never say you can sell a map or a schematic, and they never say you can’t.

Below is what Mojang’s own rules say, word for word, from the EULA and the usage guidelines, both read on minecraft.net on October 6, 2026. This is a plain reading, not legal advice. Mojang won’t check your project for you either. Its guidelines say: “If you are unsure, you should speak to an attorney for help.”

The short answer

“Not mentioned” matters more than it looks. Mojang’s guidelines end with this: “If something isn’t covered by these guidelines and we haven’t otherwise said it’s okay, that probably means we don’t want you to do it. In any case if it isn’t covered, please don’t do it without getting written permission from us.”

Who owns a build

The EULA is clear here. “We don’t own the original stuff that you create. We will however own things that are copies (or substantial copies) or derivatives of our property and creations - but if you create original things, they aren’t ours.”

It even gives an example:

• “a single Minecraft block (including its textures and its ‘look and feel’) - we own that;”
• “your creation of a Gothic Cathedral with a rollercoaster running through it - we don’t own that.”

So your design is yours. The blocks it’s made of are Mojang’s. A copy of something Mojang made is Mojang’s.

Building someone else’s brand is a separate problem. If a company hires you to build a world that promotes its product, Mojang wants to approve it first. Its guidelines say companies and the people they hire may not use Minecraft “to promote or market products, services, events, campaigns, or brands unrelated to Minecraft without prior written approval from Mojang or Microsoft.” One example Mojang gives of what’s not allowed: “Minecraft blocks used to build a world or characters from a movie.”

Sharing counts as commercial use

You might think free builds are outside the rules. Mojang disagrees: “When you decide to share your content with the community (whether you plan to make money off it or not), you are doing what we consider to be a commercial thing.”

And for commercial use, the default is no: “You may not do things that aren’t specifically permitted by the policies you agreed to or these guidelines unless we agree to allow it, or it is expressly allowed by applicable laws.”

Videos: always free to watch

This is the clearest rule for builders who make tutorials. You can earn from Minecraft videos “so long as” a list of things is true. The first one:

“All videos (in their entirety) are free to view (for example there is no pay wall or other charge to view the videos)”

The list also says “You don’t sell copies of the videos or streams.” Mojang’s own example of what’s not okay: “You create a video and distribute it through services like iTunes or Amazon Prime Video and make money by charging for viewers to watch it (we’re not cool with this).”

What that means for you:

• No members-only build tutorials with gameplay footage.
• No paid video courses built from gameplay.
• No early access for paying members. Mojang doesn’t name early access, but while only members can watch, the video sits behind a paywall. That’s how we read it.
• Ads and sponsors are fine. Keep sponsor callouts “outside of the actual game content.”
• Add your own voice. Mojang wants “enough of your own unique content,” like commentary. A logo over raw gameplay isn’t enough.

The rule names videos and streams. It doesn’t say whether screenshots can sit in members-only posts, so treat that as not covered.

Maps, schematics and world files: not covered

Neither page mentions selling a build file. Two lines pull in different directions:

• The EULA says your original build isn’t Mojang’s.
• The EULA also bans trying “to make money from anything we’ve made,” and a world file is full of Mojang’s blocks.

A schematic of your own design is mostly your work. But nobody at Mojang has said in its rules that you can sell one, and the catch-all line says anything not covered needs permission.

In practice, selling build files is common and open. BuiltByBit lists 8,218 Minecraft builds, and the paid ones on its main page sell for about $4 to $30. We found no rule from Mojang about it either way. That doesn’t make it approved.

If you sell build files anyway:

• Sell only what you designed. No copies of official maps, other builders’ work or brands.
• Never include the game. Mojang says: “Do not redistribute our games or any alterations of our games or game files.”
• Know it can change. Mojang says its permissions “may be revoked at any time.”
• Want certainty? Get written permission from Mojang, or ask a lawyer.

Skins and the Marketplace

Selling skins outside the game isn’t mentioned either. It’s the same gray area as maps.

The official way to sell skin packs, maps and texture packs is the Minecraft Marketplace, and only approved partners can sell there. Players pay with Minecoins, and Mojang reviews every submission. Its partner page asks for a portfolio “filled with high quality, original content” and points new creators to its publishing partners first.

Mods and plugins: no selling

The EULA counts more than mods: “modifications, tools, or plugins, which we will refer to collectively as ‘Mods.’” Then it sets the limit. Mods you make for Java Edition “belong to you” and “you can do whatever you want with them, as long as you don’t sell them for money / try to make money from them.”

Servers and Realms

For servers, Mojang spells out how you can charge. You “may even charge for access to the server,” as long as “The cost to access the server is the same for everyone” and you follow the rest of that section.

One line matters if you run a membership. Server access “Can’t be limited to or controlled, directly or indirectly, by a player owning or having access to out-of-game content, products, or services.” A paid membership is an out-of-game service. So “members get on my build server” looks like what this line rules out. Donations have a similar limit: you can ask for them “so long as you don’t offer the donor something that only they can use.”

Realms are stricter. The EULA says you cannot “sell, lease, rent, transfer, give away, or otherwise deal in access to your Realm or receive financial, commercial or other benefits for letting other people play on your Realm.” Realm invites can’t be a paid perk.

Merch

Mojang’s rule for fan-made products covers hand-crafted items only, with tight limits. You can’t sell “more than 20 product items using the same (or substantially similar) design,” or make “more than $5,000 USD in any calendar year” from the product. Printed merch with Minecraft art isn’t hand-crafted, so that rule doesn’t cover it. Merch with only your own name and logo doesn’t use Mojang’s brand at all.

Your name, your site and the disclaimer

Your name. “Minecraft” can’t be the main part of your brand. Mojang is “cool with” a name like “Kotoba Miners: A Minecraft server for Redstone builds,” but not “Minecraft - the ultimate Kotoba server for Redstone.” A domain with “Minecraft” in it is allowed only if it doesn’t look official and you don’t register it “principally to make money.” Name your site after yourself.

The disclaimer. If you use Mojang’s name, brand or assets, and screenshots count as assets, Mojang asks you to “Prominently include the disclaimer similar to the following”:

“NOT AN OFFICIAL MINECRAFT [PRODUCT/SERVICE/EVENT/etc.]. NOT APPROVED BY OR ASSOCIATED WITH MOJANG OR MICROSOFT”

It goes “on your product, listing, description, website/webpage, and all other related materials.” You also need to say that you’re responsible, who the seller is, and how to reach you. A Discord link doesn’t count: “chat and forum links are not acceptable methods.” Use an email address.

What this means for your site

• Sell your time and your own designs. Commissions and original builds are where builders earn. Put your terms in writing.
• Keep every video and stream free. Use them to bring in clients and members.
• Treat build downloads as a gray area. Offer only builds you designed, and know Mojang hasn’t approved it.
• Don’t sell server or Realm access as a perk. If you charge for a server, charge for the server, at one price.
• Skip the logo and official art. Use your own name and your own screenshots.
• Add the disclaimer and an email address to your site and every listing.

On Drate, the Minecraft builder template gives you a build library, tutorials, a community and memberships on your own website. Each library post has its own audience: everyone, or members of the plans you pick. So your tutorials can stay open to all while your build files go to members. For prices, portfolios and where builders find work, read How to make money from your Minecraft builds.

Not an official Minecraft product. Not approved by or associated with Mojang or Microsoft. Cover build by Poto, used under CC BY.

Questions

Is selling Minecraft maps legal?

Mojang's rules don't say. The EULA says your original build isn't Mojang's, but the usage guidelines never mention selling maps or world files. They add that anything not covered 'probably means we don't want you to do it.' Many builders sell maps anyway. For certainty, get written permission from Mojang or ask a lawyer.

Can you sell Minecraft schematics?

It's the same gray area as maps. A schematic of your own design is mostly your work, but Mojang has never said in its rules that you can sell one. Sell only builds you designed, never Mojang's files or other people's work, and know that the rules don't cover it.

Are Minecraft builds copyrighted?

Mojang says it doesn't own your original creations, and gives 'a Gothic Cathedral with a rollercoaster running through it' as an example. It does own the blocks, their textures and anything that copies its work. Whether the law protects your build where you live is a question for a lawyer.

Can you sell Minecraft mods?

Not under the Java Edition EULA. Mods you make are yours 'as long as you don't sell them for money / try to make money from them.' The EULA counts plugins as mods too.

Can you put Minecraft videos behind a paywall?

No. Mojang lets you earn from gameplay videos only if every video is free to watch in full, with 'no pay wall or other charge to view the videos.' Ads and sponsors are fine. Members-only videos and selling copies are not.

Sources

Checked on October 6, 2026. Prices and terms change, so check the latest before you decide.

1. Minecraft: Usage Guidelinesminecraft.net
2. Minecraft: End User License Agreementminecraft.net
3. Minecraft: Partner Programminecraft.net
4. BuiltByBit: Minecraft build resourcesbuiltbybit.com
5. Cover: a build by Poto (CC BY)youtube.com