How to Install Datapacks in Minecraft (Java)

Guide Java Bedrock

Quick answer: Java: drop the datapack .zip (unzipped stays zipped) into the datapacks folder inside your world save, then run /reload or reopen the world. New worlds: use the More > Data Packs button on the creation screen. Bedrock does not support datapacks - it uses add-ons.

What you need

Minecraft Java Edition
A datapack .zip from a trusted source (Vanilla Tweaks, Modrinth, Planet Minecraft)
A datapack made for your Minecraft version

Step by step

New world: on the creation screen click More > Data Packs, drag the .zip into the window and move it to the Selected column.
Existing world: select the world in the Singleplayer list and click Edit > Open World Folder, then open the datapacks folder.
Drop the datapack .zip into that folder - keep it zipped.
Load the world and run /reload (needs cheats), or simply close and reopen the world. Most packs print a message in chat when they load.
Check active packs with /datapack list. Enable or disable them with /datapack enable and /datapack disable.
If nothing loads, the pack is probably for another version or nested wrongly - the .zip must contain the pack.mcmeta file at its top level.

Java vs Bedrock

Java Edition only. Bedrock uses behaviour packs and add-ons instead, installed like resource packs.

Versions: Datapacks are version-sensitive: the pack format number changes with major releases. Use packs that list your version - Vanilla Tweaks publishes one download per release.

Frequently asked questions

Are datapacks free?

Yes - Vanilla Tweaks, Modrinth and Planet Minecraft datapacks are all free. No account or payment needed.

Do datapacks work on servers?

Yes - put them in the server world's datapacks folder. Players do not need to install anything; datapacks are server-side.