Custom Nether Portals
by Vanilla Tweaks
Allows nether portals to be built in any shape and size, not just the standard rectangle. Build creative portal designs.
Overview
Custom Nether Portals lifts the rigid rectangle requirement so an obsidian frame can be lit into portals of unusual shapes and larger sizes. Players can sculpt arches, circles, or oversized gateways and still ignite them with flint and steel as long as the frame encloses a valid area. Existing standard portals continue to work alongside the new freeform ones. The result is far more creative latitude for portal architecture without breaking normal nether travel.
It appeals to builders and decorative-focused servers that want portals shaped to match a theme rather than the default frame. It comes from Vanilla Tweaks, sits in the Gameplay category, and is rated a moderate pack to run. Everything happens through vanilla data pack functions, so no mod loader such as Fabric or Forge is required to use it on Minecraft 1.20 through 1.21.4.
GameplayFeatures
- Any shape nether portal
- Custom sizes supported
- Works with existing portals
- Obsidian frame required
How It Works
Under the hood, Custom Nether Portals relies on plain data pack mechanics rather than any client mod. Here is what happens in-game once it is loaded:
- 1Detects ignition inside an obsidian frame and validates the enclosed shape beyond a plain rectangle.
- 2Fills the qualifying interior with portal blocks to match the custom outline.
- 3An obsidian frame is still required, so portals cannot form without the structure.
- 4Standard rectangular portals keep functioning, with custom shapes handled alongside them.
Supported Versions
Compatibility
Compatible with most data packs.
- Conflicts with other packs that change nether portal lighting or shape logic, since both intercept ignition.
- Compatible with most dimension and structure packs as it only affects portal frame validation.
- Pairs safely with loot, trade, and stat packs because none touch portal creation behaviour.
Custom Nether Portals is a pure data pack and does not ship a resource pack, so it changes server-side behaviour without altering textures, models or sounds on the client.
Tags
How to Install
Custom Nether Portals installs as a standard Java Edition data pack and runs on both singleplayer worlds and multiplayer servers. Recent 1.21 releases bumped the data pack format, so keep the pack's pack.mcmeta in step with your server version.
- 1.Download the Custom Nether Portals pack as a .zip and keep it zipped.
- 2.Open the target world folder — a singleplayer save under .minecraft/saves, or the world folder on your server.
- 3.Drop the .zip into that world's datapacks folder, creating the folder if it does not exist.
- 4.Load the world (or run /reload if it is already open) and run /datapack list to confirm it is enabled.
The pack is built for Minecraft 1.20 through 1.21.4, so it loads on vanilla Java without Fabric, Forge or any other mod loader. Add it to the datapacks folder and it governs portal lighting going forward, while previously built standard portals keep working.
View full install guideFrequently Asked Questions
What Minecraft versions does this pack run on?
It runs on Java Edition 1.20, 1.20.1, 1.20.4, 1.21, and 1.21.4.
Does building custom portals require mods?
No. It is a server-side vanilla data pack and needs no Fabric, Forge, or resource pack.
What shapes of portal can I build?
You can build portals in nearly any shape and size, not only the standard rectangle.
Do I still need obsidian for the frame?
Yes. An obsidian frame is still required, and the enclosed area is then filled with portal blocks.
Will my existing portals still work?
Yes. The pack works with existing portals, so standard rectangular ones continue functioning.
How do I light a custom-shaped portal?
Light the obsidian frame with flint and steel as usual once the shape encloses a valid area.
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