Where Are Victoria 3 Saves Located?
Victoria 3 save folder on Windows, macOS and Linux under the Paradox Interactive directory with .v3 files.
Last updated
Victoria 3 follows the standard Paradox layout: local saves sit in a save games folder inside the Victoria 3 user directory, next to mods, logs and settings. Save files use the .v3 extension and are zipped by default.
Cloud saves live separately in the Steam userdata tree. Local saves are the ones you copy for modding or transfers.
Where Victoria 3 stores this, by platform
%USERPROFILE%\Documents\Paradox Interactive\Victoria 3\save games
Contains .v3 save files plus sibling folders for mod, logs and pdx_settings.json. Steam Cloud copies sit under userdata\529340\remote instead. Copy the save games folder with the game closed.
~/Documents/Paradox Interactive/Victoria 3/save games
Same layout as Windows. The folder can be relocated via launcher-settings.json, so check gameDataPath if your install differs.
~/.local/share/Paradox Interactive/Victoria 3/save games
Same .v3 files as the other builds. Cloud copies sit under the Steam userdata tree for app ID 529340.
Frequently asked questions
How do I back up Victoria 3 saves?
Copy the save games folder from the Victoria 3 user directory. Include pdx_settings.json if you changed the save format to text for editing.
Can I edit a Victoria 3 save?
Yes. Set save_file_format to text in pdx_settings.json or via debug mode, then edit the extracted gamestate. Keep an untouched backup because one bad bracket breaks the load.
Notice an outdated path? Let us know.