The Default HD texture pack takes a common idea, similar to Faithful, by improving Minecraft with higher resolutions. However, it doesn’t stop at 32×32 textures. But like many community projects, the creator of Default HD supports their work through Patreon. So early access to updates and exclusive higher-resolution versions (256x and 512x) are available only to Patreon subscribers. If you’re looking for a taste of the pack, the free 128x version is available for download in our downloads section at the end of this page, though it’s just a demo and includes only a few blocks.
Minecraft Blocks in Default HD Texture Pack
Zooming in on any block, you’ll immediately notice: that things have changed for the better. Take, for example, the TNT block and the Redstone ore block. These two couldn’t be more different in function and design, yet in the Default HD texture pack, they share a common trait—they’ve received a pixel-perfect facelift. Look at the ore blocks and see that they have deeper grout because of the extra pixels. When you zoom in on wood, you can also see nice shading.
It’s like they’ve been to a beauty clinic, courtesy of the creator, Christian Baum. You might even recognize his name from another popular texture pack, Dramatic Skys, which gives Minecraft’s skies a very realistic look no matter the time of day. If you haven’t checked it out yet, it’s definitely beneficial to download it.
Back to the blocks in Default HD—don’t expect photorealism here. Unlike packs like rotrBLOCKS, which aim to make Minecraft feel like real life, Default HD keeps things more traditional. It’s as if the textures have been lightly sharpened without changing their core structure, kind of like an AI has upscaled the textures without altering their fundamental design.
On top of the great upscaling, the Default HD texture pack supports PBR (Physically Based Rendering), which creates a stunning 3D effect on select blocks. This feature is quite rare for a vanilla texture pack, showcasing the creator’s unconventional method of working.
As a whole, the implementation of this feature is impressive, but just like the premium editions of the pack, it’s only available to those with a Patreon subscription. To make PBR work, you’ll also need a compatible shader, such as BSL shaders. Keep in mind that the add-on is strongly recommended for advanced players rather than beginners, as it requires some technical knowledge to set up and optimize.
History of the Default HD Texture Pack
Interestingly, the Default HD resource pack has been around for quite some time. It’s not a brand-new project but one of the veterans in the Minecraft community, much like Jolicraft. In the first three and a half years alone, Default HD was downloaded over 500,000 times, and this was back when it was only compatible with version 1.8. Even back then, the developer hyped it up with bold claims. One of the key features from the start was the realistic grass texture, which was also said to boost your FPS.
Unfortunately, the older versions of Default HD have been removed. In the table below this article, you can see that it’s compatible with many newer Minecraft versions. Plus, there was once a similar pack called BitBetter, which shared the same style as Default HD but hasn’t been updated in years.
Is the Default HD Texture Pack Worth the Subscription?
To fully experience Default HD, you’ll need to subscribe for around 10 dollars per month. While this might seem steep, keep in mind that not all Minecraft textures have been updated yet. During our testing, we noticed that lots of textures are still in progress. The creator has confirmed that the pack is still in beta, with more improvements on the way. If the subscription isn’t your style, don’t worry. We have plenty of free texture pack alternatives available on our website. But if you prefer low-key mods while staying true to the original look of Minecraft, the Default HD texture pack is the perfect package for you.
Overall, we enjoy the improvements because we love nice, high-definition textures. For someone like us, who has been playing with the built-in texture pack for so long, we are ready for something new. If you liked this review, please share it on the internet, subscribe to us on YouTube, and leave a comment about your thoughts.
Default HD was published on August 8, 2014 and is compatible with these Minecraft versions: 1.21.3 – 1.21.2 – 1.21.1 – 1.21 – 1.20.6 – 1.20.5 – 1.20.4 – 1.20.3 – 1.20.2 – 1.20.1 – 1.20 – 1.19.4 – 1.19.3 – 1.19.2 – 1.19.1 – 1.19 – 1.18.2 – 1.18.1 – 1.18 – 1.17.1 – 1.17 – 1.16.5 – 1.16.4 – 1.16.3 – 1.16 – 1.15.2 – 1.15 – 1.14.4 – 1.14 – 1.13.2 – 1.13 – 1.12.2 – 1.12 – 1.11.2 – 1.11 – 1.10.2 – 1.10 – 1.9.4 – 1.9 – 1.8.9 – 1.8
- ✔️ HD
- ✔️ POM / PBR
Video & Screenshots
Comparison
How To Install Default HD Texture Pack
- To use all the cool features in this pack, download and install OptiFine.
- Download the Default HD texture pack for Minecraft from the file section below. Pick the file that matches your Minecraft edition and version.
- Launch Minecraft.
- Click "Options" on the main menu.
- In the options, go to the submenu “Resource Packs”.
- Click "Open Pack Folder" at the bottom left to see a folder titled "resourcepacks".
- Put the downloaded ZIP file into your "resourcepacks" folder. Or, just drag and drop it into the Minecraft window to add the pack.
- You will see the pack on the left side of the resource pack selection menu. Unzip the file if you can't see the pack.
- Hover over the pack thumbnail and click the arrow pointing right. If the game says the pack is for a newer or older Minecraft version when you activate it, don't worry! It's just a heads-up. Click 'Yes' and enjoy the new textures – it won't affect your gameplay.
- Click "Done" and all assets have been loaded.
To get the same stunning visuals you see in the video and screenshots, you’ll need to do a few extra steps. In addition to the Default HD resource pack and the PBR Add-on, you should also install a PBR shader. For simplicity, we recommend using the popular BSL shader pack. After installing BSL, head into the settings. Make sure to enable everything in the specular and reflections tab under the materials section. Don’t forget to also turn on parallax occlusion mapping (POM) to bring out the full depth and detail of the Minecraft blocks.
Default HD Texture Pack Download
Paid Downloads (Java Edition):
