how to use shaders in minecraft

Want to play Minecraft with better graphics? Know the best Shader packs to download with this list! Know recommended free Shaders for Minecraft 2021, graphics, details, & mods!

How To Change Game Textures

What Are Shader Packs

Better Minecraft Graphics

Shader Mods are "mods" that you can use to configure the how Minecraft appears. It allows users to customize the graphics of the game, changing the color, and brightness. Some shaders also modify in-game objects such as water, clouds, and trees!

Better With Textures

8x8 with Optifine

Texture Packs replace the face of Minecraft blocks. When combined with shaders, both can drastically change the appearance of Minecraft.

Best Texture Packs 2021

May Require Better Hardware

As these mods will configure how the game looks, expect them to require higher system requirements. This may also cause some problems with systems that have modest hardware. Do check for compatibility first before applying them!

Check Out Minecraft's Recommended Hardware Here!

Requires The Optifine Mod

Requires the Optifine Mod

Optifine is an optimization mod that graphically overhauls the settings of Minecraft. It also supports the HD textures and effects, allowing modders to create their own graphical mods. All mods written below require Optifine to run smoothly.

How To Install Optifine & Shaders

Recommended Shader Mods

Not Arranged By Rank

The mods listed below are not listed by rank. Players can check each one out and see which one suits them best. Also, mods written below have been recently updated, making them highly compatible with recent patches.

List Of Best Shaders 2021

Click on the shader for more info

Name	Description
Astralex Shaders	BSL Shaders combined with with LexShino shaders. Graphics are a bit pinkish, giving the environent a "dream-like" appearance.
Chocapic13 Shaders	Chocapic13' Shaders is something you'd want if you want to push your Minecraft to its limits. It has several shaders available for different system configurations.
Beyond Belief	Beyond Belief is a classic shader mod remade to work with modern Minecraft. Unfortunately, the mod has system limitations that prevent it from running on some systems.
Complementary Shaders	Complimentary Shaders is a shader mod based on widely known BSL Shaders, just with more optimization. Includes a resource pack.
Vanilla Plus Shaders	A mod that retains the classic look of Minecraft without introducing drastic changes. Has better clouds and shadows than the vanilla version.
Oceano Shaders	Changes the blocks to a lighter and warmer color, reminiscent of being in the tropics. Great for building your own tropical paradise.
Kappa Shader	Introduce fancy fog effects, lighting, and dynamic shadows into your Minecraft. This shader mod makes Minecraft a bit realistic on the eyes.
Voyager Shader	Another realistic shader mod. Voyager retains cold colors but adds realistic shadows and lighting.
SEUS-Renewed	A long time project, SEUS brings realistic lighting to Minecraft. Very optimized and easy to run.
BSL Shader	A base shaderpack that also introduces optimization features to Minecraft. You can customize the appearance of Minecraft to have a more realistic and more detailed adventure.
MakeUp Ultra Fast Shaders	This shaderpack introduces a shader that does not require high specification computer for Minecraft. All effects that come with this shader can be tweaked and customized!
Tea Shaders	This shader gives a more vibrant coloring to the Vanilla Minecraft. It also alters the visual quality of water and vegetation.
Nostalgia Shader	This shader pack that can run on Optifine 1.12 or newer, and supports nVidia and AMD videocards. Also, this shader is compatible with two OS, Windows and Linux
Potato Shaders	Potato Shader aims to stay playable with even a potato PC, one with low specs. However, note that Intel HD 5000 Graphics and older are NOT supported on Windows!
Exposa Shaders	This shader was designed to improve Minecraft's appearance without heavily taxing your system. It runs exceptionally well on most systems and can even be run by low-end computers
Skylec Shaders	This shader changes the graphics quality of your Minecraft in many aspects. It adds more detail by tweaking the appearance of shadows, lightings, custom clouds, realistic water, and vivid color grading!
BQ Shaders	This is an edited shader from Chocapic13. With that said, it still gives a decent quality level even at the lowest possible preset. With the most recent update of this mod, the low preset looks almost the same as the extreme preset!
YoFPS Shaders	This shader is a modified version of Chocapic 13's shaderpack. It includes realistic plants, flowers, and wheat. New additions to this shader also include new rain drops, lighting colors making it vivid, and ambient colors.
Windom Shaders	Windom Shaders is a shader pack that adds and improves the visuals of Minecraft. It has this film grain-like effect but is still enjoyable as it focuses on smooth performance.
Sunflawer Shaders	Sunflawer Shaders is a modified version of the popular BSL Shader Pack that adds and improves the visuals of Minecraft. It brings with it customized visual features such as clouds, reflections, and shadows, while also including optimization tweaks. It is pretty light and can be run with low-end PCs.

Astralex (BSLex) Shader

Video from LexBoost

Compatible Minecraft	Minecraft Java
Latest Version	1.16.5
Required Mods	OptiFine

BSL Shader, But With More Options

BSL Shader is already great mod but when combined with LexShino Shaders, you get a more customizable mod.

Astralex Shaders - Shader Overview

Chocapic13' Shader

Video from JustDIAMONDS

Compatible Minecraft	Minecraft Java
Latest Version	1.16.3
Required Mods	OptiFine

Has Ultra & Extreme Presets

Chocapic13' Shader is a shader mod that can push your system. Fortunately, the mod is available in 4 different settings, allowing users with modest hardware to run this shader.

Chocapic13' Shaders - Shader Overview

Beyond Belief

Video from AJ B

Compatible Minecraft	Minecraft Java
Latest Version	1.16.4
Required Mods	OptiFine

Classic Shaders For Modern Minecraft

Beyond Belief is a shader mod made in 2015. With new updates and tweaks, this classic shader can now be run on the latest versions of Minecraft.

Beyond Belief Shaders - Shader Overview

Complementary Shaders

Video from EminGT

Compatible Minecraft	Minecraft Java
Latest Version	1.16.5
Required Mods	OptiFine

Classic Shaders For Modern Minecraft

Complementary Shaders is a shader mod made in 2015. With new updates and tweaks, this classic shader can now be run on the latest versions of Minecraft.

Complementary Shaders - Shader Overview

Vanilla Plus Shaders

Video from JustDIAMONDS

Compatible Minecraft	Minecraft Java
Latest Version	1.16.4
Required Mods	OptiFine

Vanilla Made Better

Vanilla Plus improves the graphics of Minecraft without adding in significant changes. It still manages to retain the blocky Minecraft look while adding in effects, shadows, movement, and lighting.

Vanilla Plus Shaders - Shader Overview

Oceano Shaders 3.0

Video from Vexiluzz

Compatible Minecraft	Minecraft Java
Latest Version	1.16.4
Required Mods	OptiFine

Warm Colors & Waters

Oceano Shaders makes most of Minecraft's colors warmer, akin to a fantasy tropical island. Highly recommended for those looking to make their own seaside retreat.

Oceano Shaders - Shaders Overview

Kappa Shader

Video from Decatherinated

Compatible Minecraft	Minecraft Java
Latest Version	1.16.5
Required Mods	OptiFine

Realistic Fog & Lighting

Kappa Shader goes all-out when it comes to portraying Minecraft in the most realistic way possible. This, without drastically reducing the blocky appeal and looks of the game.

Kappa Shaders - Shader Overview

Voyager Shaders

Video from Volumetric Gaming

Compatible Minecraft	Minecraft Java
Latest Version	1.16.5
Required Mods	OptiFine

Better Skies & Clouds

Aside from the usual lighting and shadow effects, Voyager Shaders shines with its realistic skies. Together with this, expect beautiful sunrises and sunsets.

Voyager Shaders - Shader Overview

SEUS-Renewed

Video from JS

Compatible Minecraft	Minecraft Java
Latest Version	1.16.5
Required Mods	OptiFine

Realistic Lighting And Reflections

Pushing the boundaries of Minecraft's graphics is one thing SEUS Shaders is known for. With this mod, players can enjoy superb visuals that emulate that of hardware-intensive games. However, you may need to have a powerful system to fully unlock its potential.

SEUS-Renewed Shaders - Shader Overview

BSL Shaders

Video from Info Brokerz

Compatible Minecraft	Minecraft Java
Latest Version	1.16.5
Required Mods	OptiFine

Gives A Cozy Feeling

The shader lowers the contrast of Minecraft, making the game slightly darker, smoother, and somewhat mute. A major improvement done by this shader is that it improves snow, rain, and water to an almost unbelievable degree.

BSL Shaders - Shader Overview

MakeUp Ultra Fast Shaders

video from JustDIAMONDS

Compatible Minecraft	Minecraft Java
Latest Version	1.16.5
Required Mods	OptiFine

MakeUp Ultra Fast Shaders Customization

This shader does not require high specification computer for Minecraft. All effects that come with this shader can be tweaked and customized!

MakeUp Ultra Fast Shaders - Shader Overview

Tea Shaders

video from CraftStones

Compatible Minecraft	Minecraft Java
Latest Version	1.16.5
Required Mods	OptiFine

Tea Shaders Customization

Tea Shaders gives a more vibrant coloring to the Vanilla Minecraft. It also alters the visual quality of water and vegetation.

Tea Shaders - Shader Overview

Nostalgia Shaders

video from JustDIAMONDS

Compatible Minecraft	Minecraft Java
Latest Version	1.16.5
Required Mods	OptiFine

Supports Windows & Linux Minecraft

Nostalgia Shader is a shader pack that can run on Optifine 1.12 or newer, and supports nVidia and AMD videocards. Also, this shader is compatible with two OS, Windows and Linux.

Nostalgia Shader - Shader Overview

Potato Shaders

overview

Compatible Minecraft	Minecraft Java
Latest Version	1.16.5
Required Mods	OptiFine

Potato Shaders And Its Efficiency

As the name implies, Potato Shader aims to stay playable with even a potato PC, one with low specs. However, note that Intel HD 5000 Graphics and older are NOT supported on Windows!

Potato Shaders - Shader Overview

Exposa Shaders

overview

Compatible Minecraft	Minecraft Java
Latest Version	1.16.5
Required Mods	OptiFine

Great Low-Power Shaders

Exposa Unique shaders was designed to improve Minecraft's appearance without heavily taxing your system. It runs exceptionally well on most systems and can even be run by low-end computers.

Exposa Shaders - Shader Overview

Skylec Shaders

video from YamaRin

Compatible Minecraft	Minecraft Java
Latest Version	1.16.5
Required Mods	OptiFine

Skylec Shaders And Its Efficiency

This shader changes the graphics quality of your Minecraft in many aspects. It adds more detail by tweaking the appearance of shadows, lightings, custom clouds, realistic water, and vivid color grading!

Skylec Shaders - Shader Overview

BQ Shaders

overview

Compatible Minecraft	Minecraft Java
Latest Version	1.16.5
Required Mods	OptiFine

BQ Shaders Customization

BQ Shaders is an edited shader from Chocapic13. With that said, it still gives a decent quality level even at the lowest possible preset. With the most recent update of this mod, the low preset looks almost the same as the extreme preset!

BQ Shaders - Shader Overview

YoFPS Shaders

overview

Compatible Minecraft	Minecraft Java
Latest Version	1.16.5
Required Mods	OptiFine

YoFPS Shaders Customization

YoFPS Shaders is a modified version of Chocapic 13's shaderpack. It includes realistic plants, flowers, and wheat. New additions to this shader also include new rain drops, lighting colors making it vivid, and ambient colors.

YoFPS Shaders - Shader Overview

Windom Shaders

Windom Overview

Compatible Minecraft	Minecraft Java
Latest Version	1.16.5
Required Mods	OptiFine

Windom Shaders Customization

Windom Shaders is a shader pack that adds and improves the visuals of Minecraft. It has this film grain-like effect but is still enjoyable as it focuses on smooth performance.

Windom Shaders - Shader Overview

Sunflawer Shaders

Sunflawer Overview

Compatible Minecraft	Minecraft Java
Latest Version	1.16.3
Required Mods	OptiFine

Sunflower Shaders Customization

Sunflawer Shaders is a modified version of the popular BSL Shader Pack that adds and improves the visuals of Minecraft. It brings with it customized visual features such as clouds, reflections, and shadows, while also including optimization tweaks. It is pretty light and can be run with low-end PCs.

Sunflawer Shaders - Shader Overview

Minecraft Mod Guides & Database

Update 1.17 Related Guides

Best Texture Packs 2021