Project Zomboid minimap: turn it on, coordinates, dots

Project Zomboid players navigate with the world map, and a server can add three things to it: a mini-map window, the character's coordinates, and dots for other players. Each is a separate setting, and each is off or hidden by default.

Checked against Project Zomboid Build 42.21, October 2026.

Turn on the mini-map

The mini-map is a sandbox rule, so it lives in .cache/Server/<world>_SandboxVars.lua, inside the Map block. The Game build card in Server Settings shows the world name.

1. Stop the server from the Console tab.
2. Open the file in the File Manager. Manage your server files covers opening and saving files.
3. Find the Map = { block and change AllowMiniMap = false, to AllowMiniMap = true,.
4. Save the file and start the server.

Map = {
    AllowMiniMap = true,
    AllowWorldMap = true,
    MapAllKnown = false,
    MapNeedsLight = true,
},

The other three lines in that block are AllowWorldMap (players can open the world map, on by default), MapAllKnown (fills in the whole map when the game starts, off by default) and MapNeedsLight (maps can't be read without a source of light, on by default).

Show player coordinates

ShowCoordinates in .cache/Server/<world>.ini shows each player's character coordinates in the lower right corner of the screen. It is false by default. Change it to ShowCoordinates=true, save and start the server.

Show other players on the map

The Players on the map setting decides whose position other players can see on the in-game map.

1. Open Server Settings and find the Chat & voice card.
2. Change Players on the map. On Build 42 the choices are Hidden, Friends, Friends and nearby players and Everyone.
3. Press Save changes, then restart the server.

The default is Hidden. A Build 41 server offers Nobody, Friends and faction and Everyone instead.

Check it took

Type showoptions in the Console to list the current server options. Look for ShowCoordinates and MapRemotePlayerVisibility. Use your server console explains sending commands. The mini-map rule is a sandbox rule, so showoptions doesn't list it: check it in game once the server has restarted.