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DynamicRenderDistance

Automatically changes your render distance based on your frame rate (FPS). Fully configurable, client-side only.

FabricNeoForgeForge
Loaders
FabricNeoForgeForge
Downloads on Modrinth
10.8K
Followers on Modrinth
17
versions
57
Updated
September 19, 2026Sep 19
Published
in 2026
Settings · swipe

At a glance

Runs on Fabric, NeoForge and Forge
For Minecraft 1.21.1, 1.21.11–26.3 …
Client only — no need to install it on the server
Latest version — 1.3.0 from September 19, 2026
Requires Architectury API
License MIT — free
Where it's needed
In gamerequiredOn servernot needed

Install in the game only; not needed on the server

Game versions1.20.1, 1.21.1, 1.21.11–26.3 …

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Fully client-side mod that automatically scales your view distance up or down in real-time based on your current frame rate. It keeps your game running smoothly in heavy areas and lets you see further when performance allows it.

Client-side only (no server installation required). Fully compatible with singleplayer and multiplayer.

Dependencies: Fabric & NeoForge require Architectury API (and Fabric API on Fabric). Forge requires no additional dependencies.

Free to use in any modpack — public or private, no permission needed.

What it does

  • Smart Scaling — automatically increases or decreases render distance to stay within your desired FPS range.
  • One-Click Presets — apply a tuned Quality, Balanced, or Performance profile from the main config card (or /drd preset). Presets only change performance settings and keep your toggles.
  • Optional On-Screen HUD — a compact overlay showing your current render distance and FPS, color-coded by status (grey = off, red = below your min FPS, green = above your max FPS, yellow = in range). Automatically hidden while the F3 debug screen is open.
  • Configurable Limits — you set the minimum and maximum chunks — it will never drop below or rise above the limits you define.
  • Anti-Oscillation Cooldowns — smart cooldown timers so your screen doesn't constantly flicker between distances.
  • Rebindable Keybinds — open the settings (default F8), toggle the mod on/off, or toggle the HUD — all rebindable in Options → Controls under Dynamic Render Distance.
  • In-Game UI & Commands — configure everything from the settings card or chat commands.

Configuration

Press F8 in-game (rebindable) or use /drd open to open the settings menu.

The main screen is a single card: Enabled, live status, FPS/chunk rule, Mode (Quality / Balanced / Performance + Custom), Show HUD, Advanced..., and Reset / Done / Cancel. The old dense list of every setting now lives under Advanced settings (including Show Messages). Preset and Reset update the open card in place; values still save only on Done (Cancel / Esc discard). Picking a preset shows an action-bar hint: Selected %s preset — press Done to save.

Available settings (defaults in parentheses):

  • Enabled (ON) — toggle the mod entirely.
  • Show Messages (ON) — action-bar notification when render distance changes (Advanced).
  • Show HUD (OFF) — top-left overlay with current render distance and FPS.
  • Min FPS (45) / Max FPS (75) — thresholds that lower or raise render distance.
  • Min RD (6) / Max RD (32) — allowed render distance range in chunks.
  • Decrease Step (2) / Increase Step (1) — chunks removed or added per adjustment.
  • Check Interval (5.0s) — how often to check the average FPS.
  • Cooldown (10.0s) — wait after a change before adjusting again.

How it works: the mod samples FPS every second and keeps an average window. On each check interval it lowers render distance if average FPS is below Min FPS, raises it if above Max FPS, then applies a cooldown. By default it decreases faster than it increases, so laggy areas stabilize first. Each adjustment is a single step — Minecraft rebuilds chunks on every render-distance change, so gradual steps would only flicker more.

Keybinds (Options → Controls → Dynamic Render Distance):

  • Open config — default F8.
  • Toggle the mod on/off — unbound by default.
  • Toggle the HUD — unbound by default.

Commands (/dynamicrenderdistance or /drd):

  • /drd status — current stats.
  • /drd preset performance — apply a preset.
  • Setting subcommands (enabled, showHud, minFps, …) print the stored value with no argument; pass a value to set it (e.g. /drd minFps 60, /drd showHud true, /drd cooldown 15).

Details

  • Client-side only — safe on any vanilla or modded server.
  • All settings are stored locally in config/dynamicrenderdistance.json (fields unchanged; modpacks can ship a preconfigured file).
  • Fully translated into 10 languages; UI strings can be overridden via a resource pack under assets/dynamicrenderdistance/lang/.
  • No builds for Minecraft 26.1 / 26.1.1 / 26.1.2 — stay on a previous release for those, or move to 26.2.

Feedback

Please report any bugs, errors, or feature suggestions on Discord: https://discord.gg/HTkn94BXmA

More mods by Nikrecs: PerformanceHUD · AutoMuteOnAfk

My other mods that I recommend.

FAQ

How to install DynamicRenderDistance?

Install Fabric for your Minecraft version, download DynamicRenderDistance for the same version and loader, put the file into the mods folder and launch the game with the loader profile.

Which Minecraft versions does DynamicRenderDistance support?

DynamicRenderDistance has builds for Minecraft 1.19.2, 1.20.1, 1.21.1, 1.21.11–26.3.

Is DynamicRenderDistance needed on the server?

Client only — no need to install it on the server

License and source
MIT Licensefree to use and share with credit to the author
Original — Modrinth↗Files unchanged, verified with SHA-512Is this your mod? For rights holders

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