
Better Render Distance
Improves render distance by making it perfectly spherical, culling diagonal chunk sections and entities for better performance.
⬇ Download on Modrinth
Better Render Distance
Minecraft's render distance was changed from a cube to a cylindrical shape back in 1.18. The problem is that this shape isn't actually a cylinder but rather a rounded rectangle. This mod optimizes this.
Performance Benefits
I get about a 10-15% boost on my system. Impacts both the CPU and the GPU. It could create a larger benefit for lower end systems.
Lightweight
Built to be lightweight and uses optimized functions. When Sodium is installed, Better Render Distance hooks into Sodium’s own occlusion culler to keep overhead as low as possible.
What Does The Mod Do?
This mod makes three optimizations to improve upon this.
Circular Horizontal Distance
Changes the render distance formula to be as a perfect circle as it can be which reduces the overextended diagonals.

Spherical Render Shape
Upgrades the shape from a cylinder to a sphere. Which extends the diagonal culling from only being done horizontally to vertically as well.
Vertical Render Distance (Configurable)
Ships with vertical distance set to the Balanced preset by default. Useful especially at higher render distances.
Configuration
Available in Sodium’s Video Settings. You can toggle the optimizations on/off and adjust the vertical culling amount.

Auto Vertical Scale setting that includes three presets (Performance / Balanced / Quality) which automatically adjust Vertical Scale based on your current Render Distance.
The manual adjustment slider is disabled when the Auto setting is enabled.
Mod Compatibility
Compatible with all the popular performance mods. If you find an incompatibility please report it and I will check it out.
Updates & Future Plans
I will be updating this mod to every stable Minecraft release. I have additional optimization ideas planned, but they’ll be explored and added over time.
I am also looking into porting back to popular older versions of Minecraft. Check back later if a version you are looking for isn't currently supported.
Contact
You can join the Discord server to report bugs, request features, ask questions, or reach out to me for any purpose.
- Edition: Minecraft Java
- File type: .jar
- Minecraft version listed: 1.21.1
- How to install: Install the matching mod loader (Forge, Fabric or NeoForge) for your Minecraft version. → Download the .jar. → Put it in the .minecraft/mods folder and launch that loader profile.
- Where to get it: Opens on Modrinth — not every file is mirrored on our own servers.
Install steps are the general flow for this file type — How to install Minecraft Java mods & modpacks walks through it step by step.
- Ships as BetterRenderDistance-1.2.1-beta+mc1.21.1.jar — drop this file into the mods folder
- Download size: 66 KB
- Download link checked 27 Aug 2026 — working
These come from our own check of the pack file, not from the source page.