Terraria separates identity from environment: player characters live in .plr files and worlds live in .wld files. That makes a complete backup a two-part job. Copy both directories, including .bak companions, before editing or moving systems. Steam can independently move individual characters and worlds to cloud storage, so an apparently missing local file may have a counterpart under Steam userdata. SaveEditor.com keeps those locations distinct instead of presenting one universal Terraria save path.
Where Terraria stores PC saves
The researched save-location boundary is Windows: %USERPROFILE%DocumentsMy GamesTerraria
Steam cloud copies may appear under <Steam-folder>userdata<user-id>105600remoteplayers and worlds | macOS: $HOME/Library/Application Support/Terraria/ | Linux / Steam Play: $XDG_DATA_HOME/Terraria/ (normally ~/.local/share/Terraria/). The known file or folder pattern is Players*.plr
Worlds*.wld
*.bak. This is the practical starting point because launcher, profile, and storefront context can change which copy is active even when two folders look similar.
Storefront and profile differences
Documented launchers or storefronts: Steam, GOG Galaxy. Steam can keep cloud-designated player/world files under its userdata remote tree. The normal local Terraria directory still separates Players and Worlds. When looking for a missing save, identify the executable/storefront you actually launched and the user/profile that created the progress before copying anything between directories.
Cloud synchronization
Steam Cloud and GOG Galaxy are documented. On Steam, cloud movement is enabled per character/world rather than being assumed for every local file. A cloud service should be treated as another copy of the save, not as proof that the local folder is disposable. Before a manual restore, let synchronization finish, make an offline backup, and avoid starting the game while files are being replaced.
What the files represent
Characters and worlds are separate files: .plr for players and .wld for worlds. Local .bak companions can provide rollback material. Multiplayer characters and worlds should therefore be backed up as separate sets. The current filename/folder evidence is Players*.plr
Worlds*.wld
*.bak. File-extension context: .plr, .wld, .bak A location guide does not claim that every file in the directory is safe to edit or that files from another storefront are automatically interchangeable.
If the save is not where expected
If a character or world is missing, check both the local directory and Steam remote location. Before using a .bak copy, preserve the current .plr/.wld and the backup so the recovery remains reversible. Also check redirected Documents folders, Steam Play prefixes, account IDs, and launcher-specific containers where applicable. Preserve every candidate copy before testing a restore so troubleshooting does not destroy the only surviving version.
Verification context: Windows/macOS/Linux locations, .plr/.wld patterns, Steam remote paths, and per-item Steam cloud behavior were reviewed against current PCGamingWiki coverage.