How to Reduce Lag and Get More FPS in Minecraft

Guide Java Bedrock

Quick answer: Java: lower render distance and graphics settings in Video Settings, close other apps, and install Sodium (Fabric) for the biggest FPS jump. Give the game more RAM only if it is running out. Bedrock: lower render distance in Video settings.

What you need

Java: access to Video Settings
Fabric + Sodium for the biggest FPS gain (free)
Bedrock: Video settings in-game

Step by step

First lever: Options > Video Settings > Render Distance. Dropping from 12 to 8 chunks is the single biggest FPS win on weak PCs.
Set Graphics to Fast, turn off Smooth Lighting and Clouds, reduce Particles, and cap Max Framerate to your monitor's refresh rate.
Java mod route: install Fabric, then add Sodium (rendering) plus Lithium and FerriteCore from Modrinth - together they can double FPS. All free.
Close browsers and launchers while playing; laptops should be plugged in with the high-performance power plan active.
RAM: only add more if the F3 pie chart shows memory maxing out - 2 GB extra via the launcher installations is plenty for modded.
Server lag is different: if blocks reappear after mining, the server is overloaded, not your PC. Lower the server's view-distance and reduce loaded farms and entities.
Bedrock: lower Render Distance in Video settings, turn off fancy graphics and ray tracing, and restart the game to clear memory.

Java vs Bedrock

Java gets the mod-based fixes (Sodium family). Bedrock is already optimized but offers fewer tuning options - render distance is the main one.

Versions: Sodium and friends track each Java release quickly. Setting names differ slightly between versions but the same levers exist everywhere.

Frequently asked questions

Does more RAM always mean more FPS?

No. Minecraft only benefits from extra RAM when it is actually running out (modded play). Otherwise more RAM changes nothing.

Is Sodium allowed on servers?

Yes - it is a pure performance mod, allowed everywhere including competitive servers.